Installing And Replacing Doors

Hanging a door can be a frustrating process the first time or two. Taking time to check for plumb/square/level throughout the project will prevent frustration and achieve good results.

Removing an existing door

Take the door off the hinges or tracks.

Remove the door casing (trim) on both sides.

With a reciprocating saw or mini-hacksaw, cut through nails holding the jambs.

If the door has a threshold plate, pry or cut it loose.

Framing a rough opening

On exterior and load-bearing walls you'll be removing a few existing wall studs that support the house. Therefore, the door's rough opening framing must take over the load.

In most cases, 2x4 or 2x6 lumber is used for side framing and two 2x10s (or larger) lumber makes up the header. Mark the outline of the doorway- 6" wider and 3" higher to accommodate framing. Make sure to remove any baseboard in the way.

Saw or chisel away the existing wallboard/plaster. Cut the existing wall studs in the new opening where the top of the framing header will be, or remove them completely if the header reaches the wall's top plate.

Remove the soleplate at the threshold. A reciprocating saw or hand saw is handy for this job. Cut two 2x4s (or 2x6) king studs to run the full length of the wall, or use an existing wall stud if possible.

Scab on trimmer studs to the king studs to support the header. Cut and fit the header on the trimmer studs and toenail the header to the king studs.

Installing door jambs

If you're putting in a prehung door, fitting the door into the jambs is already done for you. You just need to shim the jambs correctly into the frame. Whether you're installing each jamb separately, or installing a pre-hung door, getting the jambs in place is done basically the same way.

Shim the side jambs plumb/square with the opening and tack them in place. Test fit the header jamb and when it's square secure the side jambs.

NOTE: Place shims behind hinge and strike plate areas for secure fastening-especially exterior or locking doors.

Check for squareness again, shim if needed, and nail the header jamb in place.

Fitting the door

These are the extra steps needed if you don't have a prehung door. Compare China doors the squareness of the jamb frame to the door. If it's not square or you're putting on an old door, it may be necessary to trim the door to fit.

TIP: Consider installing the door knob if it isn't already. It can help you control the door while test fitting and handling. (For more on that, check out our Door Knob Tips.)

When the door and the jamb frame are square to each other, adjust the gaps between the door and jambs-usually 1/16" at top, 1/8" on the knob side and up to 1/4" on the bottom. If installing carpet later, include that in bottom clearance.

Fit the door, block it with shims and check the gaps-plane the door if needed. When the door fits correctly, you're ready to mark the hinges.

Hanging a hinged door

Most doors have three hinges. A heavy or extra secure door may require more hinges. In this instance, we'll install the hinges to the jamb before fastening the hinges to the door. But some people screw them to the door first.

Mark and mortise the jamb hinges-usually 7" from the top of the upper hinge to the top of the door, and 11" from the bottom of the lower hinge to the bottom of the door. Center the middle hinge.

Locate the hinges to stick out slightly from the jamb so they won't "pinch" when opening/closing.Fasten the hinges to the jamb. Then fit the door and trace around the door hinge pieces (hinge leaf). Mortise out the door and fasten the hinges.

TIP: Don't completely tighten the screws to allow the hinges some "play" while getting the hinge pins in.

Tap the door pins in and test the door. If it opens/closes freely, you're ready to put on the door stop and latch hardware.

Shimming hinges

A newly hung door may bind or sag a bit, due to a jamb being out of plumb. Or accidentally making the hinge mortise too deep creates an uneven gap along the latch side of the door.

Both of these problems may easily be corrected by shimming a hinge or two with a cut piece of cardboard, thin flooring scrap, or in some cases a shim cut out to fit behind of the hinge.

Close the door and check the gaps. If the door sticks at the top hinge, shim the top hinge and snug the bottom hinge, and vise versa for a door sticking at the bottom hinge.

If the door sticks at the top knob-side corner, tighten the top hinge and shim the bottom hinge, and vise versa for a door sticking at the bottom knob-side corner.

Remove the hinge across from the gap you wish to close. Place the shim in the mortise and reattach the hinge over it. Note how much the door gap changed and shim other hinges accordingly if necessary. However, shimming out too thick will often make the shim visible.

Door knob tips

Do not try to install a door knob without an appropriately-sized hole saw. Go buy one-and a good quality chisel for mortising.

Most knobs and latch kits have instructions and a handy template to use, so we won't discuss actual installation here. In most cases, the knob and latch are located 3' from the bottom of the door.

With the knob on, locate the strike plate location by transposing the knob location measurements. A less conventional method is to "color" the knob latch point with pencil lead, turn the knob to retract the latch, position the door shut, and release the knob to mark the edge of the strike plate on the side jamb.

Retractable Screen Doors - Roll Them Up When You Don't Need Them

Old fashioned screen doors are handy when it gets too warm but you'd rather not turn on the air conditioning. They let fresh air in and keep bugs and wildlife out. However they're also in the way when coming and going especially if they're not currently in use. They can bang loudly if you don't close them carefully and mechanisms can stick. Ever tried to move a big piece of furniture in through a propped open screen door? It's a pain, especially when the door won't open all the way.

A retractable screen door is the answer to all your screen door problems. They operate using the same kind of technology that roll up window blinds function on. When you're not using them, they roll neatly away until you need them. This takes up less space than a regular screen door and keeps them out of the way. Oddly enough, although these doors have been around for decades, most people still haven't heard of them. There are four major manufacturers of these doors, and lots of different brands. In general, however, they're easy to install and take only a few tools. You can put them in yourself, or have them installed by the dealer for a small price.

One place that retractable screen doors are really useful is in areas where you wouldn't be able to install a screen door normally. For instance, doors that open both inward and outward can't use a conventional screen door. You also can't install a regular screen on sliding glass patio doors (unless it's a specialty patio screen), double French doors, or doors where there's not enough clearance. A retractable screen can offer you the ability to screen all these types of door, making it a lot easier to let fresh air in without inviting the whole world.

Retractable screen doors aren't just for the outside of the house, though. They can also be used on interior doors when you'd like to make a light barrier without closing off a space. Use them between the garage and the main part of the house, to block off a screen porch, or to keep kids and pets in a room while you keep an eye on them. They have plenty of uses, and can be installed in spaces where you could fit an ordinary screen.

If you're tired of dealing with a regular screen door, or would like to have screens in a location that's not suited for conventional doors, look into your retractable options. A retractable screen door is easy to have installed or to install yourself, reliable, and convenient to use. Check one out today.

Should I Cut Down The Tree? Trees in Feng Shui

Is The Tree Helping Or Harming Me?

One of the most common questions we get in our practice is "What should I do about my tree?

Trees are a beautiful, glorious and vital part of the our planet and are an integral and respected life force in the practice of Feng Shui!

While it is true that some trees may block positive chi or even act as poison arrows the answer is not to cut down this beautiful gift of nature, there are ways to ensure that we work with the tree to ensure the best results. Killing a living vital part of nature is not the answer.

Trees act as conduits returning oxygen to us, giving us food, shade and protection we need to ensure that we in turn do everything we can to ensure there survival if possible. Some quick Tree tips include:

1. Cutting Down Trees?

Yes sometimes it is necessary to cut down trees. If for example a tree is sick, rotting and cannot be helped then this decaying energy will more than likely lower the level of good chi in the area and in fact create sickness and yin energy that may very well pass on to the residents of the home. If you cannot save it then cut it down

2. What about the one in front of my door?

The most common tree problem in Feng Shui is when the tree is directly in front of your door. This in effect may serve as a block in terms of opportunities, prosperity or abundance. But wait don't cut it down! First, trim any branches to let as much chi circulate around it as possible, next hang a wind chime in the tree to help guide the chi around the tree. If you are still considered hang another wind chime directly above your front door, and also place a mirror or other reflective ornament by your front door that in essence reflects the tree and its challenging energy back away from your door! That should do the trick!

3. Trees for Health & Family

Trees are a wonderful for bringing health and well being to you and your family. If you can plant large sturdy trees in the most east direction of your lot to protect this aspect of your life. The Pine tree is a ideal tree for this area as they ensure longevity.

4. Trees for Protection

There are many ways that trees actually offer protection for us. We all know they offer shade, and nourishment. But in Feng Shui terms they also offer offer a way to block out poison arrows from affecting us. If there is something pointing directly at us from across the road, the tree can be used to block that energy. The trees can also serve as something called "mountain support" in Feng Shui. The back of your home should always have something that is tall and supportive - ideally taller than your home. Fences, neighbours homes, lights can all offer this support but ideally tall trees can work as strong protectors.

5 Tree for Prosperity and Abundance!

Just as trees can bring health and well being - they can also bring abundance and prosperity. If you have an opportunity to plant a flowering tree on your property, the SE compass direction (the wealth area) is ideal. Trees with flowers or fruits in orange, red, or purple are ideal! (Think apples, oranges, and lavender of course!).

Modern Home Decoration Methods

Decorate your home in a more stylish way.

Most of us are not aware of the amount of hardware used to decorate their homes. If we knew we would have done the decoration in an easier and stylish way. The first step in decoration is to have an account of decorating hardware in your home. The easier way is to count all the hardware you have including door handles, door knockers, bell pushes, decorative hinges, clavos nails, lever latches, and so on. Don't forget to count the window hardware, the door hardware, the cabinet and the garage hardware.

Arrange the list into columns for distinguishing types of hardware, the location of the hardware, the condition of the hardware and how the hardware works. The location of the hardware may include places like the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, outdoors, etc. You can also include a wish list column during the whole process of planning and decoration. You can browse through some web pages or take a look into some of the showrooms or hardware stores in order to get the hardware of your choice. It is an astonishing fact that if a very small thing makes a difference in the looks of your kitchen or bedroom hardware decoration then you should not replace it by a new one.

Sometimes we should remember that old saying that states old is gold. But many times it is beneficial to replace your kitchen hardware. The benefits are more than your expectations. You have the choice to replace your old faucets and which can match with your absolute kitchen accessories including cabinets, sinks and the overall decoration as well. The life style improves as a result of your replacements. Shopping on the internet saves you a lot of time and money. You could compare prices sitting in your home online.

A Plethora of Hinges and What to Do With Them

There are dozens of hinges to choose from when you are planning a project that necessitates hinges, like installing a door. How do you know which hinges to choose? If you are simply buying new hardware to replace older hardware, then do not throw the older hardware away until it is replaced exactly. For instance, door hinges always vary. They can be right or left-handed. They can have loose pins. In short, you do not want to get stuck not knowing what hinge to buy. Most hardware store employees are happy to have you come into their establishment with the hinge to be replaced. They can help you find what you are looking for amongst the myriad hinges to choose from. They can also recommend hinges to buy that are not exactly the same as your previous model. When you enter a store, come equipped with the knowledge of whether your door opens in or out and how much hinge you want to show at a time.

Maybe you want to improve the previous hinge that you had in place. If an ugly hinge was showing earlier every time you opened your door, then by all means replace it with a decorative or shapely hinge. Just make sure that the new hinge fits nicely in the old mortise (the depression in the door where the hinge goes), otherwise you might have to chisel a deeper space in the door for it. Hinges can also come in heavier weights, so make sure you choose one that is the proper weight for your door. An excessively bulky hinge will not look right on a lightweight interior door.

For entry and exterior doors, hinges should never be accessible from the outside of the house. Any burglar could come along and unhinge your door, not having to fool with your locks and deadbolts. The hinge should always be located inside your house, where only you have access to its screws. When hanging a door, also be cognizant of whether the door opens in or out. If your living room is already cramped, then a door should probably not open into it. Do you want most of your hinge to show when your door is not open? If you like the look of hinges, then it is fine to invest in more ornate models for show.

There are many types of hinges. In addition to the common loose-pin hinge, there are the butt hinge, the back flap hinge, and the ball bearing hinge. The ball bearing hinge has the advantage of being smooth because of its perpetually lubricated nature. There are also butterfly hinges which are ideal for doors of lighter weights. There are double acting hinges which make your doors open in or out (think of saloon doors). Flush hinges stay mostly concealed except for their barrels. They are ideal for use on cabinet doors or other lightweight doors. There are many more hinges on the market, including specialty hinges made for the folding leaves of table tops and pianos. So just read a couple of publications on the topic and you will not have any problems.