5 Tips for Replacing Interior Doors
by James Cartwright on Jul 17, 2015
Have you ever thought about how much your interior doors impact the look and feel of your home? When you live in a place for long, the doors—like so many other elements of the home—tend to fade into the background. You recognize their utility, but not necessarily their contribution to your home’s aesthetics.
In truth, though, doors play a big role in setting the look of a home—and whether you’re trying to sell the place or simply spruce it up for you and your family, replacing your doors can be a useful route to take.
Before you launch a DIY door replacement project, though, make sure you’ve got a good sense of the project’s scope. Use our tips to help!
1. Know what kind of doors to get.
The first step in your process is to research some different door varieties. There are many options to choose from, and whether you want to shop online or go to an actual brick-and-mortar venue and get a feel for the different options that exist.
Spend some time looking at doors of all types, and see what you like and what you don’t.
Some specific door types to investigate:
- Solid wood
- Faux wood
- Engineered wood
- Bifolds
- Accordion doors
- French doors
- Pocket doors
2. Consider the trim.
In addition to the doors themselves, you may also need to replace the door trim. Removing and replacing the door trim can make such a big aesthetic difference that sometimes it makes it unnecessary to replace the doors themselves. You’ll need a pry bar and some patience, but typically trim can be taken off even by an amateur, in the span of an afternoon.
3. Think about jambs.
Back to the different types of doors: You will find that door product come in two basic varieties—pre-hung doors, or slab doors. Pre-hung doors already have their jambs attached, which means you will need to find a door with jambs that you like, or else remove them; you’ll also have to ensure they fit into space in your wall or else use a wood shim to make that space more appropriate.
4. Measure!
You might think this would go without saying, yet it is amazing how many DIY door installers neglect this basic point: Doors are not one-size-fits-all. You don’t want to buy a door that simply won’t fit into your doorframe, so make sure you are rigorous in your measurements!
5. Know when to throw in the towel.
Door replacement is a bigger DIY job than you might think, and even for skilled installers, it can take the better part of a day. By all means, give it a whirl if you feel confident in your abilities, but also be willing to call in a pro if you feel it’s beyond your pay grade.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
70601 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
67423 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
62883 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
43086 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
26837 Views
Latest Articles
Homeowner In The UK? Here's Why You MUST Be Clued Up On Rainwater Drainage Systems
In the United Kingdom, there is an average of around 1,200 millimetres of rainfall annually. Keeping rainwater out of your home and away from your...
on Feb 2, 2023
What are the Advantages of a Metal Roof
Metal roofing is durable and beautiful, allowing a home to stand out from others with conventional tiled roofs. A metal coating can last a...
on Feb 1, 2023
How Much Does it Cost to Install Hardwood Floors
There are specific considerations to make before laying hardwood flooring in your house. The first thing you need to know is that the price of...
on Jan 19, 2023
Home Maintenance Jobs You Need to do This Winter
Winter is the perfect time to get some home maintenance jobs completed. Not only are you stuck inside because of bad weather, but this same bad...
on Jan 10, 2023
Design Tips to Level Up Your Kitchen
Kitchens are the heart of the home. Aside from being where we cook and eat, kitchens can be our workspaces, spaces for relaxation, and - in the...
on Jan 9, 2023
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Homeowner In The UK? Here's Why You MUST Be Clued Up On Rainwater Drainage Systems
on Feb 2, 2023
Plumbing / Basements
In the United Kingdom, there is an average of around 1,200 millimetres of rainfall annually. Keeping rainwater out of your home and away from your...
Real Estate Investment for Future Generations
on Mar 14, 2022
Real Estate / Finance

Purchasing a home is not simply a financial commitment. It is also an excellent way to start accumulating your wealth. Your home is also a...
Can I Sell My House with a Leaky Roof?
on Oct 28, 2021
Real Estate / Finance

The answer to this query is YES. It is possible to sell a house with a leaking roof, but it's always essential to evaluate some factors before...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 260
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 239
- Real Estate / Finance — 194
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 183
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 143
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 116
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
The Importance of Choosing a Certified Gas Installer
Putting your trust in the wrong hands can be risky, especially when you are talking about fitting your home gas appliances. Faulty workmanship when...
Concrete Driveway Staining Tips
One modern option to add more colors, design, and character to your concrete driveway is to stain it. With a quick stroll inside your local...
When to Visit the Flooring Store: Repairing Existing Flooring vs. Installing New
Stylish flooring can transform a room. It’s the difference between a mediocre and a fancy home. The problem is that flooring tends to suffer more...
Different Types of Home Driveways
There are a number of different types of driveways, and countless styles and colours to choose from. Whether you are installing a new driveway, or...
Points to Consider When Hiring a Pest Control Professional
If you are having a problem with pests in your home then you need to deal with it as quickly as possible, before too much damage is done. The best...