How to Measure Punch & Dimple Door Frames

As a homeowner, you may eventually want to replace a door somewhere in your home. When the time comes and you’ve removed the old door you’ll be looking at a giant opening in your home. At this point, measuring and preparing the door frame for a replacement door may look a little overwhelming. However, once you understand the process you’ll be able to take on the task with ease. It is important to take your time and carefully measure and mark the door frame so that the door fits well and is properly aligned.

Tape measure
Replacement door
Masking tape
Scratch awl
Drill
Self-centering pilot hole bit

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the height of the rough door frame opening from the bottom to the top with a tape measure. Measure the width of the rough door frame opening along the bottom of the door opening. These are the rough opening measurements. You will need to use these measurements to get the correct size for the replacement door.
- 2
  Open up the hinge-side door frame paper template that was included with the replacement door. Tape the paper template to the hinge side of the door frame with masking tape.
- 3
  Center the scratch awl point in the center of each hinge mounting hole marking on the paper template. Press the awl through the paper template and punch the wood door frame enough to mark the wood.
- 4
  Remove the hinge-side door frame paper template. Drill a 1/2-inch deep hole at each punch mark on the hinge side of the door frame that you made in Step 3 using a drill equipped with a self-centering pilot hole bit to dimple the frame for the hinge screws.

Horizontal Slider Window Repair

How to Install a Commercial Double Door Lock

Window & Door Repair