Replace door hinges

Replace worn door hinges safely, matching sizes correctly, so the door hangs straight and swings smoothly again.

RDH-01Get set up and check your new hingesLay a dust sheet on the floor to catch screws and dust. Compare the new hinges to the old ones - the length, width and screw hole pattern should match, or you'll be left with visible gaps or extra filling to do. Have your screwdriver, chisel and pencil to hand before you start.

1 each · Dust sheet

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RDH-02Wedge the door and take the weight off the hingesPush door wedges under the door so it can't swing while you work. If you're replacing all the hinges, you'll need to lift the door off once the last screw is out, so have somewhere padded to rest it - a folded towel against a wall works well.

1 each · Door wedges (pair)

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RDH-03Remove the old hingesUndo the screws on one hinge at a time, working from top to bottom. Support the door's weight with your knee or a helper as the last screw comes out. Keep the old screws separate in case you need to match a gauge later.

RDH-04Clean up the hinge recessIf the new hinges are the same size as the old ones, tidy the recess (mortise) with a sharp chisel so it's flat and free of old paint or debris. Sand lightly if the wood has swollen or splintered. A clean, flat recess lets the hinge sit flush so the door closes properly.

1 sheet · Sandpaper, 120 grit

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RDH-05Fill old screw holes if neededIf the new hinges use different screw positions, or you've enlarged old holes, push a bit of wood filler or a glued matchstick into the old holes and let it dry. This gives your new screws something solid to bite into rather than stripping in loose, damaged wood.

1 tube · Wood filler

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RDH-06Fit and mark the new hingeSit the new hinge in the recess and check it sits flush, not proud or sunk. Mark the screw hole centres with a pencil or bradawl, then drill a small pilot hole at each mark - this stops the screw splitting the timber or wandering off line.

3 each · New door hinges (75mm steel or brass)

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RDH-07Screw the hinges to the frame and doorFit one screw per hinge first, loosely, then check the door still sits well before adding the rest. Use the correct screw gauge for the hinge - usually the same size as the original unless it was worn or too small.

12 each · Hinge screws, 25mm no.8

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RDH-08Rehang the door and test the swingWith wedges still in place, offer the door up to the frame hinges and drop the pins in, or align and fit the leaves depending on your hinge type. Remove the wedges and swing the door fully open and closed, checking for even gaps all round.

RDH-09Fine-tune a binding or sagging doorIf the door drags on the frame or floor, slide a thin piece of card behind the hinge to pack it out slightly, or plane a shaving off the binding edge. If this is a fire door - for example between an integral garage and the house, or a flat's front door - always fit hinges marked as fire-tested, and use three hinges rather than two.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

Fire doors (garage-to-house doors, flat entrance doors, doors onto escape routes) must use fire-rated hinges under Building Regulations Part B. Always fit three per door on these.

RDH-10Tidy upCollect old screws and hinges for recycling or disposal. Vacuum up any wood dust or filler debris, and fold away your dust sheet. Give the hinges a drop of light oil if they're new steel, to stop early squeaking.

1 bottle · Light machine oil

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