How to Put Hinges on Door Blanks

Purchasing a blank, or slab, door means that you will need to install the hinges. Hinges on doors are recessed so as not to interfere with the opening and closing of the door. Cutting these recesses can be tricky. Not cutting a deep enough recess means the hinge has the potential to interfere with the door and cutting too much out makes the hinge look funny and misplaced. When cutting out hinge recesses, make the cut as deep as the hinge so that the hinge sits flush with the surface of the door.

Tape measure
Screwdriver
Utility knife
Hammer
1/2-inch wood chisel

Instructions

- 1
  Mount the hinges to the surface of the door temporarily, using the provided screws. The top hinge should be 5 inches down from the top of the door. The bottom hinge should be 10 inches up from the bottom. Taller doors need a third hinge placed in the center of the top and bottom hinges.
- 2
  Trace around the hinge with a sharp utility knife blade. Make several strokes along each side. Cut into the door as deep as the hinge is thick. Remove the hinges from the door.
- 3
  Cut out the spaces where the hinges will sit using a hammer and a wood chisel. Place the wood chisel on the door and tap the back end of it with a hammer to push it through the wood. Do not cut too deeply into the spaces or the hinge will be lower than the surface of the door.
- 4
  Place each hinge in its recess to determine if enough wood has been removed. Once the top of the hinge is flush with the surface of the door, attach the hinge to the door once more, using the provided screws.

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