Fit hinge bolts to a front door

Fit two hinge bolts to a timber front door to stop it being forced open, working safely with drill and chisel.

HB-01Check the door is right for hinge boltsHinge bolts are designed for solid timber doors, not composite (GRP-skinned) or uPVC doors. Drilling into a composite or uPVC door can crack the skin or void the manufacturer's warranty, so don't fit them to these. If your front door is a certified fire door — common in flats and HMOs — check with your landlord or the door's paperwork before drilling, as extra holes not specified by the maker can invalidate the fire certification.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

Drilling extra holes in a certified fire door can invalidate its fire rating. Check before you drill if you live in a flat or shared building.

HB-02Gather tools and mark the bolt positionsOpen the door and choose two positions on the hinge edge, roughly 150mm above the bottom hinge and 150mm below the top hinge. Use a tape measure and try square to mark a centre point 25mm in from the edge at each spot. Keep the marks level and square, as an angled hole will make the bolt bind.

1 pack · Hinge bolts (pack of 2)

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Tape measure

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Try square

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Pencil

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

HB-03Drill the hole in the door edgeFit the drill bit size stated on the hinge bolt packaging, usually 16mm. Wrap a strip of masking tape around the bit at the correct depth so you don't drill too deep or come out the face of the door. Drill straight into the marked point, keeping the drill level with the door edge.

1 each · Wood drill bit (size per hinge bolt pack)

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 roll · Masking tape

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

HB-04Fit the hinge bolt into the doorPush the hinge bolt into the hole and tap it gently home with a hammer, or screw it in if it has a threaded body — check the pack instructions. It should sit flush with the door edge, with the pin protruding ready to engage the frame.

1 each · Hammer

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

HB-05Mark the matching point on the frameClose the door gently until it just touches the frame, without forcing it. Mark where the protruding pin meets the frame, either by pressing the door to leave a dent or by measuring across from your door-edge mark.

HB-06Drill the hole in the frameDrill into the frame at your mark, matching the diameter and depth used on the door. Most frames are softwood, so this should be straightforward, but check the timber doesn't have a cable or alarm wire chased into it near the latch or hinge side — these are sometimes run through door frames on retrofit alarm systems. If in doubt, stop and check with a cable detector before drilling deeper.

1 each · Wood drill bit (matching size)

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

HB-07Chisel a recess for the keep plateIf your hinge bolt kit includes a keep plate, hold it over the hole and score around it with a pencil or knife. Chisel out a shallow recess, no deeper than the plate's thickness, so it sits flush once screwed down. Screw the plate into place with the screws provided.

1 each · Wood chisel (10-15mm)

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

4 each · Keep plate screws (usually supplied)

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

HB-08Test the door and tidy upOpen and close the door several times to check it swings freely and the hinge bolts engage smoothly without binding. If it's tight, widen the frame hole very slightly with the drill or a round file. Touch up any bare wood on the door edge or frame with primer or matching paint so damp can't get in, then vacuum up dust and shavings.

1 small tin · Wood primer or matching paint

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Fine paintbrush

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

Some links may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Save this as a project

Back to all guides