All you need to know about Internal Doors: How to fit and paint your Internal Door

It’s easy to overlook fitted internal doors. But ugly and outdated styles can definitely let your interior design choices down. Still, replacing your doors with a more stylish option doesn’t have to be a challenge. Especially if you opt for beautiful wooden doors that can elevate any space.

Here’s all you need to know about choosing, fitting, and painting your new interior doors.

Which door style should you choose?

The style of internal door you choose will depend on your personal style, furniture and decor. For example, if your home is packed with period features, you may prefer a classic multi-panelled door. 

But panelled internal doors don’t have to look traditional. Contemporary door designs look stylish in any modern home. And they can make a standout feature when you play with colour or woodgrain finish. Prefer a sleek and minimalist look? Think about flush doors for an effortlessly streamlined look.

What finish should you choose?

Getting the finish right depends on personal taste. Wooden doors have the warmth and beauty of a natural material. But they’re also highly durable, energy efficient, and effective at cutting sound, creating a sense of privacy. Light oak and other pale woods are enduringly stylish, while richer, darker woods can create a dramatic contrast.

If you prefer a painted finish, buy ready-to-paint doors and finish them yourself. Crisp white paintwork is classic, but don’t be afraid of adding a pop of vibrant colour. For a modern update, anthracite and black doors are popular contemporary choices.

How to fit internal doors

Replacing your internal doors might sound like a daunting task. So we’ve put together a few tips to help you complete the job with professional results. 

Not ready to fit your doors yet? Take a look at our tips on how to store your wooden doors after delivery.  

How to measure internal doors

Before you order your doors, you’ll need to take some accurate measurements. 

First, measure the existing door’s height, width and thickness. Then check our range of internal doors and choose one that matches your measurements. If you can’t find an exact fit, choose the next closest size, rounding up.

For a frame with no door, measure the height and width by taking three measurements:

1. Measure the height at the left, right and middle of the door frame
2. Measure the width of the door frame at the top, middle and bottom
3. Use the largest measurement to select a door size, rounding up if necessary

How to fit internal doors

You won’t need to know how to fit an internal door frame if you’re replacing your existing doors. And if you’ve followed our tips on how to measure internal doors, hanging your replacements should be relatively straightforward:

• Measure the new door: If the existing door is a good fit, lay it on top of the new one and mark around it in pencil. Otherwise, hammer 4 nails into the frame and rest the door against them while you measure. 

Remember to leave a 2mm gap (the width of a penny) around the sides and top and a larger clearance gap at the bottom.

• Cut to size: Use a plane to shave away the excess wood, and check for fit frequently. If you need to reduce the height of the door, remove an equal amount of wood from the top and the bottom to maintain symmetry. Finally, smooth all cut edges with abrasive paper.

Fit the hinges:

1. Start by marking the position of the existing hinges on the new door
2. Use wedges and pennies to hold the door in the correct place
3. Position your hinges, remembering to mark a line on the face of the door at the same depth as the hinge plate

Next, use a sharp 25mm chisel and mallet to create the hinge recess. Always hold the chisel facing away from you and wear protective goggles. You’ll need to make several slanted cuts to remove the excess wood to the correct depth. Then position the hinge plate and use a drill to create pilot holes before securing firmly in place with the screws.

Hang your door:

1. Start by positioning your door at 90 degrees to the frame and wedging it in place
2. Secure the bottom screw in each hinge, and test that the door opens and closes smoothly. If you’re happy, fix the rest of the screws in place
3. Test again, and try loosening the screws if the door is tight
4. Check the spacing in the frame in case you need to remove the door and sand down any problem areas

How to paint internal doors

Wooden fitted internal doors are a great addition to your home. But if you prefer a classic painted finish or you’re keen to add some colour, our tips on how to paint internal doors will help you get a desirable professional result.

1. Pick the right day

It might surprise you, but the weather can make a big difference to the end results. A dry, cool day with temperatures above 10℃ will produce the best finish and help the paint dry without blistering.

2. Prep your door

First, take your door off its hinges and lay it flat on a pasting table. Next, choose an area that’s dry and dust-free, and remove any wrapping if you’re doors are ready to paint. Otherwise, clean the door thoroughly and remove any flaking paint. You should also remove any door furniture or mask it well with tape. Then sand down the surface, ready for priming. 

3. Prime your door

Using a primer is essential for older doors with stains and blemishes. Apply a coat of specialist primer with a roller and small brush for detail work.

4. Paint your door

Start by painting inset details with a small brush and feathering the paint to avoid drips. Next, use a small foam roller to apply an even, consistent coat of colour across all flat surfaces and the door edges. Typically, a door will take at least two coats for the perfect finish. Now leave to dry, removing any masking tape to avoid the paint cracking, before painting the other side.

Always follow the manufacturer’s guide to drying times for best results, and allow the paint to cure for at least a day before you fit your doors.

Interior doors from A Wood Idea

At A Wood Idea, we’re specialists in all things door and floor. So if you want to update your internal doors, visit our showroom or contact the A Wood Idea team for more inspiration! You may also wish to read more of our blog guides, from how to makeover your home with new flooring to invest in your home with oak doors.