QA

Question: How To Shorten A Hollow Door

Can a hollow door be cut down?

The short answer is yes, hollow core doors can be trimmed. Hollow core doors have a strong block outer frame, which leaves a couple of inches of solid wood at the top, bottom and sides of the door. If you cut off too much of the door’s top, bottom or sides you could damage it’s structural integrity.

How much can you cut off a hollow core door width?

The recommended amount to cut a hollow core door is up to ¼ inch on each side. However, the actual block size is close to 1 inch on each side. If the block is cut too thin or cut off completely, then a new block should be installed to add structure and prevent moisture damage to the door.

How much can you trim off an internal door?

Can you trim internal doors? Most internal doors manufacturers advise different trimming tolerances so as a standard and to be on the safe side we advise that you don’t trim more than 5mm per side. This is with the exception of LPD, which only allow 3mm on each side.

How much does it cost to shorten a door?

The cost of the average door trim is $1 per linear foot for the typical one-half inch by two and one-fourth inch primed MDF casing. However, when you get more detailed trim with high-quality materials, the cost can go to, or even exceed, $6 per linear foot.

How thick is the frame on a hollow core door?

Surfaces of veneered hollow-core doors are only about 1/8-inch thick.

How much wood is at the bottom of a hollow core door?

Hollow core doors have a 3-inch block of wood inside the bottom of the door. Make sure that the bottom of the door is still solid. If it is hollow, you’ll need to replace the section of the wood block that was removed during cutting.

How thick are the edges of a hollow door?

The rails at the top and the bottom of the door are only 1½-inch thick.

Will Home Depot cut a door for you?

Unfortunately, Home Depot does not cut/trim doors as of 2021. However, customers can have Home Depot install a custom-fit door, or purchase circular saws starting at $99 and door trimmers for under $20 to cut/trim doors. Alternatively, customers can rent circular saws for $43 for 4-hours to trim doors.

Can you trim a door to fit?

Trim the Door to Fit Measure the door to see if it needs trimming. If the amount to be trimmed is less than ⅛ inch, plane it down. To cut the door with a circular saw, place painter’s tape along the cut line. Mark the line on the tape and score it with a utility knife to prevent chipping.

How much can you trim off a solid core door?

Most interior door manufacturers recommend different cutting tolerances, so we recommend cutting no more than 5mm per side as standard to be safe. This is with the exception of the LPD, which only allows 3mm on each side.

How much can you trim off oak veneer door?

One downside is that unlike solid wood doors; veneered doors only allow for around 10mm or so to be trimmed off each side.

How much should I cut off the bottom of a door for carpet?

Typically you only need to trim 1/2 inch from the bottom of the door. If that’s not enough, you can trim off up to 3/4 inch. Hollow-core doors, which are the most common for interior usage, are built around a frame on the outside perimeter. If you cut too much off the frame, the door will can separate.

Can I cut a door in half?

An interior door must be cut in half for conversion to a Dutch door or to make worktops. In some cases, a damaged door is cut in half for easier disposal. Whether you’re planning to cut a hollow core or solid wood door, it’s important first to remove the hinges, door handles and other hardware.

How thick is the wood at the top of a hollow core door?

Set a straight 1-inch-thick board on top of the door, aligning it with the saw’s guide marks you made in the previous step. Clamp the board in place with wood clamps. Cut the edge from the door with a circular saw, using the board as your cutting guide.

What is inside of a hollow core door?

Hollow Core Doors: Pros & Cons Despite their name, hollow core doors aren’t completely hollow inside. They have a honeycomb cardboard interior that’s wrapped by veneer or fiberboard. These doors are easy to install, lightweight, and cost-effective. However, hollow core doors don’t insulate sound very well.

How do you fix the bottom of a hollow door?

Hollow door fix Cut the door to the right length. Clamp stiff boards to both sides of the bottom (as shown). Fill the hollow door bottom with expanding foam insulation. After the foam dries, trim off the excess with a utility knife and rehang the door.

Can you use a jigsaw to trim a door?

For cutting doors, use a straight edge jig clamped to the door bottom. Clamp the jig and then skor the tape and veneer with a knife following the edge of the jig. The circ saw with a sharp blade cuts through veneer cleanly on the bottom side.

How much can you cut off a Hume hollow core door?

A trimming allowance of up to 3mm is allowed on all doors. and 5mm at the bottom (above the floor covering). Place your door on workbench & remove all packaging. Transfer all measurements to the door & clamp the door in preparation for trimming.

Can you plane hollow core doors?

A-Hollow-core doors have solid-wood frames several inches deep, and the edges can be planed moderately if necessary.