Sizing Down Interior Doors

Pre-hung interior doors are sized to allow a 33) Measure the distance from the end of the
4inch gap between the bottom of the door andcircular saw guide-plate to the blade.
the floor. Most modern interiors doors are of the4) Now transfer this measurement and make a
hollow-core type with a solid wood frame. Thismark on both ends of the door exactly from the
gap is to allow the door to swing freely withoutscribed mark and clamp a straight edge. The
binding on the finished floor. If the door does notstraight edge will serve as a guide for the circular
fit the height of the rough opening, the door mustsaw to rest against while sawing.
be cut off to fit the opening.5) Saw off bottom of the door. The hollow core
Once the entire bottom frame member is cut offof the door might be exposed after the cut is
to shorten the door, the bottom piece that wasmade. If this is the case, you will need to replace
cut off must be reinserted to close the doorthe bottom frame.
cavity.6) To replace the bottom frame, chisel the
1) After removing the door from the hinges.veneer off the cut-off frame, cut it to fit tight
Calculate the thickness of the finished floorbetween the side frames of the door. Apply glue
covering and add 3/4 inch to that measurement.to both sides of the cut-off frame and insert it
2) Transfer that measurement to the bottom ofinto opening. Wipe off excess glue and let dry
the door. Measure both bottom ends and scribe apreferably over night.
line across the whole width of the door. ( Use aThere you have it folks! That was not so difficult.
sharp utility knife).Was it?