Make a shooting board—a tool for making accurate cuts with a circular saw. Sometimes this frame is made out of a product called MDF, which stands for medium density fiberboard. Installing a door is a relatively easy process if all the tools are available and this installation procedure is applicable to wood, fiberglass or aluminum doors. Occasionally, especially on re-cuts, you have to cut a door above where there is solid material, and you can’t just leave the bottom of the door open. Most people tend to go with option number three, cut the door to size. Before cutting a door to size, it is important to accurately determine how tall the door should be. I bought a mastercraft door for my basement. When we moved in, the front door wouldn't open all the way; it drug the floor at about 70 degrees from full open. Step 6: Cut Storm Door Frame. 1. Leave the door closed forever, buy a new door or cut the door to size. To preserve the symmetry of the door, it's best to cut equal amounts from both ends. Many blinds are affordable and easily attainable in most standard window sizes. So, generally, the best way to cut the door to fit your space is to work with the bottom first. Best way to cut down an interior door? This means that when you cut the bottom of the door you will most likely see some kind of composite wood or particleboard. How to Cut Blinds. Step 4. Cut the jamb to match. Lay the frame flat on the saw horses, and cut the angle of the door frame with a hacksaw. Measure and make the cut on the door slab. Here are some great tips that will help you on how to install a door. This means, if you cut more than 1 1/8" off the bottom of the door, then you have cut the bottom frame of the door completely off. Do all the hinges and remove the door. On occasion, however, the house may shift or settle and the space between the door and the frame may change so that the door will not open and shut properly. I am replacing an interior door with a hollow core slab door (6 panel). In this video, carpenter and former senior editor Andy Engel shows us how to disassemble a prehung exterior door; how to measure and cut the door slab to fit an existing opening; and how to shorten the jamb to match. Measure and mark the door from the top down along each edge, 1/4-inch shorter than the shortest measurement of your jamb. Door widths vary from 28 to 36 inches, and the two most common heights are 78 inches -- usually expressed as 6-foot-6 -- and 80 inches, which is 6-foot-8. How to Cut and Resize a Steel Clad Entry Door: We purchased a house in 2011. door needs to be 29 1/2" x 79". Answer Save. Cutting through fiberglass is actually very simple and easy, however you must … You can trim the bottom off any door using a table saw with a good cross-cut blade. If the door swells then you have several problems. Tap the pin with a hammer from the bottom to raise it up high enough to grasp it at the top with your fingers. Cutting a door to size can be a little intimidating if you have never done it before, but no worries, it's actually pretty simple. 11 Answers. Before cutting a door to size, it is important to accurately determine how tall the door should be. When a door is installed properly there is only a fraction of an inch between it and the frame. Removing Place the tip of a nail vertically on the bottom of the hinge cylinder to begin removing the door. By cut it down, I mean making the door shorter. This helps to make the tightest seal possible while the door swings freely on its hinges. Buy a stock door instead and make it fit.. Measure and cut three pieces of wood to match the size and direction of grain of the original door. There are lots of good information on how to cut particleboard on the internet, like this one here, so I’ll not go into the how’s. If the door wasn't accurately measured, you can extend its length. Twist and pull it out of the hinge. If the door wasn't accurately measured, you can extend its length. Is it possible to just cut this down on my own or at home depot where i bought it? You can create any design or shape you desire without settling for what's available on the market. Dave K. 1 decade ago. Wrap a piece of masking tape around the door with its center in line with the two marks. You should provide all possible measurements of the existing door and jamb to the new door company for a quote. In this video, Andy Engel will demonstrate how to: Disassemble the door and jamb. What is the best way to cut the door down? Yes Linda, you can order a custom door any size you can imagine from a door company as opposed to a lumber yard or home center. the closest in size i could get at the store was 30"x80". Measure and cut three pieces of wood to match the size and direction of grain of the original door.