XL-Joinery | Internal Oak Shaker 4 Panel Door with Clear Glass Unfinished

A Simple 7-Step Guide to Installing an Interior Door

Can You Install a Door Yourself?
While it’s always advisable to hire a skilled tradesperson equipped with the proper tools for door installation, it's possible to do it yourself with the right guidance. Keep in mind that doors, especially fire doors, can be heavy and difficult to handle alone—so don't hesitate to ask for help if needed.

Our straightforward 7-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know to install your interior door. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions that come with your door to ensure your warranty remains valid.

How Long Does It Take to Install an Interior Door?
If you're replacing an old door, installing a new one could take around 2 hours, depending on your DIY experience and tools.

Step 1: Preparing to Install the Door

To begin, carefully remove the old door by unscrewing the hinges, making sure to support the door's weight as you remove the last screws.

If the new door has glass, keep any protective covering on until the painting or staining is finished.

Step 2: Measuring for the New Door

When measuring the door frame, allow for about 3mm of clearance between the door and the door frame. The clearance at the bottom of the door will vary depending on the type of flooring and any threshold strips. For more detailed information on measuring doors, refer to our measuring guide.

Step 3: Trimming the Door to Fit

Even though doors are manufactured to standard sizes, you might need to trim them slightly, especially in older homes where frames may be uneven. For the best results, it’s recommended to have a professional joiner install your doors. Alternatively, if your door frame is particularly uneven, consider using our custom door service for a perfect fit.

To trim your door, measure the frame precisely and subtract 3mm to account for clearance. Once marked, lay the door on a stable surface for trimming. Using a planer, trim evenly from both sides, taking care not to exceed the manufacturer’s specifications for trimming.

After trimming, hold the door up to the frame to check the fit. Don’t forget to chamfer the edge where the hinges will be fitted to ensure a smooth operation.

Step 4: Attaching the Hinges

It's recommended to use three hinges for stability. You can reuse the existing hinge cutouts on the door frame if they’re the right size. If not, fill them with a small piece of timber and mark new positions for your hinges. Pre-drill holes for the screws and then install the hinges.

Next, mark the latch position on the door, ensuring that the handles line up properly. Avoid fitting the latch near door rails, as this can weaken the joint.

Step 5: Temporarily Hanging the Door

Temporarily hang the door to check the fit and install the handles. Open the door 90 degrees against the frame and secure it temporarily with screws in the top and bottom hinges.

Ensure that all exposed edges are fully finished and that the hardware is installed before finalizing the installation.

Step 6: Installing the Door Handle

With the door temporarily installed, you can now fit the handles and the latch plate. Ensure the latch aligns properly and that the door closes smoothly without sticking.

Step 7: Finishing the Door

Once you’re satisfied with the fit, it’s time to finish the door. Remove all hardware before sanding and applying your chosen paint or stain. Be sure to finish all surfaces, including the top, bottom, edges, and any hardware cutouts, following the manufacturer’s finishing guidelines.

Once dry, reinstall the hardware, and your door will be ready to hang

Are oak doors made from solid oak?
All of our internal oak doors are crafted using engineered construction. Engineered doors offer several advantages over solid oak doors, including:

• Greater stability and less risk of movement compared to solid oak.
• A more consistent color match, as all components are veneered.
• Improved timber usage, reducing waste and making them more eco-friendly.
• Enhanced resistance to changes in temperature and humidity, such as those caused by winter heating cycles.

What is the difference between dowelled and mortice & tenon door construction?
Our dowelled hardwood doors are made from kiln-dried timber and assembled using fluted dowels and modern adhesives for strength.

On the other hand, our mortice & tenon (M&T) doors are built from select kiln-dried hardwoods and feature traditional mortice & tenon joints, combined with modern adhesives, for top-tier construction quality. The panels are also set in waterproof mastic to ensure maximum weatherproofing.

How much can I trim off an internal door?
When adjusting an internal door, you can trim up to 12mm from both the width and height. This trimming should be evenly distributed—so if you're reducing the width by 12mm, for instance, remove 6mm from each side.

Why can't I use wax, teak oil, or varnish on my door?
Our doors are designed with a controlled moisture content, and products like wax, teak oil, or varnish won’t effectively seal in this moisture. Using these treatments can allow moisture to either escape or enter the wood, leading to swelling or shrinking. We recommend using a full paint system (primer, undercoat, and gloss) or a high-performance wood stain or lacquer to properly seal and protect the door.

Delivery Information

At Newland Floors and Doors, we deliver to all UK mainland postcodes.Unfortunately, we are unable to deliver to postcodes outside the UK mainland, including offshore and overseas locations.

Delivery is excluded for the following postcodes: BT, GY, HS, IM, IV, JE, KA, KW, PA, PH, PO, TR, ZE.

Delivery Charges

The delivery cost for UK mainland addresses is calculated during checkout and depends on the number of doors purchased or the number of boxes your door set comes in. Standard delivery charges start at £40.00 + VAT for a single door and increase with each additional door, up to a maximum of £60.00 + VAT for 5 or more doors.

1 Door: £40.00 + VAT
2 Doors: £45.00 + VAT
3 Doors: £50.00 + VAT
4 Doors: £55.00 + VAT
5+ Doors: £60.00 + VAT

Delivery costs will be displayed before payment is made during checkout.

Delivery Times and Information

Products are shipped directly from the manufacturer and typically arrive within 5-7 working days, depending on stock availability. Deliveries are made on working days (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm, excluding bank holidays and weekends). You will be contacted by XL Joinery to arrange a delivery date using the contact number provided when you place your order. Please ensure this is the best number to reach you, as delivery arrangements are made by phone, not email.Delivery dates and times may occasionally change due to exceptional circumstances, but we will keep you informed.

We recommend not booking contractors until you have received and inspected your doors. Upon delivery, thoroughly check the goods for damage before signing. Start by inspecting the packaging and taking photos if there is any damage. Do not open the packaging if you suspect damage to the goods.

A signature is required upon delivery. Do not sign as "unchecked." Claims for shortages or damage will not be accepted if signed as unchecked. Goods will not be delivered without a signature.

Please note, delivery addresses cannot be changed once the order has been dispatched.

If you have any questions about delivery, contact us at info@newlandfloorsanddoors.co.uk or call 01594 442243 before placing your order.

Failed Deliveries

Once a delivery date has been arranged, your items will be delivered on the agreed day. If delivery is attempted but cannot be completed because no one is available to receive the goods, a rebooking fee will apply. This fee is calculated the same way as the delivery charge, starting at £40.00 + VAT for one door and up to £60.00 + VAT for 5+ doors. We will inform you as soon as possible to arrange a new delivery date.

If you need to cancel or change a booked delivery, please notify us or the haulage company as soon as possible.

Returns and Cancellations

You must inspect all products upon delivery and report any issues immediately. Delayed reporting may invalidate claims for refunds or replacements.

You have the right to refuse delivery of damaged goods. If you do refuse delivery, contact us at info@newlandfloorsanddoors.co.uk or call 01594 442243.

Returns must NOT be sent to Newland Floors and Doors directly. We will arrange for the manufacturer to collect the items. The haulage company will contact you to arrange a suitable collection date.

Custom Orders

Doors manufactured to your specifications, or those that have been altered, cannot be returned unless they are faulty. If you need advice, please contact us.

Unwanted Goods

To return unwanted goods, you must inform us within 14 days of delivery. We will arrange a collection on your behalf. The cost is £40.00 + VAT for one door, with an additional £5.00 + VAT for each additional door. All items must be returned in their original packaging and in saleable condition. Any promotional items received with your order must also be returned.

Custom-made or special order items cannot be returned unless defective.

Damaged or Faulty Goods

If your goods are damaged on delivery, you must take photographs of both the packaging and the damage. Notify the delivery driver of the damage, and do not sign as "unchecked." If the damage is severe, refuse delivery. Report any damages to us within 48 hours of receiving the goods by emailing info@newlandfloorsanddoors.co.uk or calling 01594 442243.

For manufacturing defects found after delivery, contact us within 7 working days. We may request photos of the defect before proceeding with a return.

Refunds

Refunds will be processed within 14 days of receiving credit from XL Joinery, once they have inspected the returned items. Any applicable carriage charges or re-stocking fees will be deducted from your refund.