Fit door finger guards

Fit a finger guard to your door and frame so hinge-side gaps can't trap little fingers.

FG-01Choose the right finger guardMeasure the door leaf height in mm and check which way the door swings. Buy a hinge-side finger guard long enough to cover the whole hinge gap — stock sizes usually run from 900mm to 2100mm and can be trimmed to fit. Check whether the door is a fire door before you buy or drill anything. This job fixes to the door and its frame only — there's no wall, ceiling or stud work involved.

RULES

1 kit · Concertina hinge finger guard kit

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1 each · Tape measure

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KNOW THE RULES

If this is a fire door (common in flats, HMOs and blocks with a shared escape route), any fitting must be tested and listed for use with that door. Extra screw holes or untested fittings can void its fire rating — check the door's certification or ask your landlord or managing agent before drilling.

FG-02Check your door frame materialTap the frame — timber sounds dull, UPVC or metal sounds hollow and feels colder. Most internal doors have softwood or hardwood frames, but flats and newer builds sometimes have UPVC or metal-clad frames, especially on fire doors. Timber takes an ordinary wood screw; UPVC and metal need the self-tapping screws usually supplied in the kit, driven slowly so you don't crack or strip the material. If unsure, drill a tiny test hole somewhere hidden and check what comes out — timber dust or fine plastic or metal swarf.

FG-03Mark up the hinge sideClose the door and hold the guard against the frame, centred over the hinge gap. Mark each screw hole position on the frame with a pencil. Make sure the guard sits flush and doesn't foul the door stop or the hinge plates.

1 each · Pencil

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FG-04Drill pilot holes in the frameUse a 2mm pilot bit for a timber frame, or the bit size stated on the guard packaging for UPVC or metal. Drill about 15mm deep, just enough to guide the screw, keeping the drill square to the frame. On UPVC or metal, drill slowly and stop as soon as the bit breaks through, to avoid overheating the plastic or bell-mouthing the hole.

1 each · Small pilot drill bit set

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FG-05Fix the guard to the frameScrew the guard to the frame using the fixings supplied with the kit. Snug them down by hand — don't overtighten, as this can crack a PVC guard or strip a UPVC frame. Check the guard still sits flat and hasn't twisted.

1 each · Screwdriver

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FG-06Mark and drill the door leafOpen the door fully and fold the guard over onto the door edge. Mark the matching screw positions on the door leaf with a pencil. Drill pilot holes to the same size and depth you used on the frame.

FG-07Fix the guard to the doorScrew the guard to the door leaf using the remaining fixings. Work along the guard evenly so it lies flat without puckering or twisting.

FG-08Test the full swingOpen and close the door slowly through its whole arc, from fully closed to fully open. Check the guard flexes smoothly, covers the hinge gap at every point, and doesn't bind, crack or catch on the frame. Confirm the door still closes and latches properly.

FG-09Tidy upVacuum any drilling dust from the frame and door edge, then wipe both down with a dry cloth. Dispose of the packaging and check no loose screws are left lying about, especially if young children use the room. Keep the spare fixings somewhere safe in case the guard ever needs replacing.

1 each · Cloth

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PART OF A BIGGER PROJECT

Childproof your home room by room

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