Finishing a flat does not always go according to plan. Sometimes unforeseen situations arise, for example, the interior door we have chosen turns out to be too tall. Uneven floor, incorrectly measured door or improperly fitted door frame – these may be the reasons of such a slip-up. In the following article, we explain how and when we can trim the doors in our flat ourselves. Here’s a handful of tips!

Can I shorten the interior door myself?

An incorrectly measured door is a relatively common problem. This can be influenced by many factors, such as the aforementioned incorrectly measured door leaf, improperly fitted door frame, as well as uneven floor. Sometimes it is enough to slightly trim the door to make it close properly. However, it is worth bearing in mind that trimming the door leaf yourself may invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty. In case of any doubts, we should contact customer service first. It is not uncommon for companies, taking into account the needs of their customers, to provide the possibility of shortening the selected model by a certain value. There are many types of door leaves that are already prepared for possible shortening. So, what to do if it has actually turned out that we need to trim the door?

How and what to trim the interior door with? – practical hints

When trimming an interior door, we should remember that we cannot shorten it by any value we want, as this may result in a loss of its stability as well as its ability to function properly. Normally, shortening it by 3 to 6 cm does not adversely affect its functioning. What to start shortening the door with? Taking the measurements properly. Measuring the door leaf improperly and trimming it too much may result in the need to replace the door. Our measurements must take into account the height of the door frame, differences in floor levels if the floor in the flat is uneven, as well as the height of carpets and rugs in case they may hinder door opening. We start the work by placing the door on a horizontal, stable frame or floor, taking care not to scratch or damage it. Then we should tape the door with painter’s tape, on which we will mark the distances with a pencil – using tape will help us to avoid unsightly pencil marks on the door surface. Next, we measure the desired height starting at the rebate. This is where the door leaf adheres to the frame. Then we subtract 13 mm from this value, as this will allow us to close and open the door freely. A frequently asked question is what we can trim the door with. As a rule, a circular saw available in most households is sufficient. Finally, we should remember to properly protect the bottom edge against water, moisture and dirt.

What else should we pay attention to?

It turns out that in order to trim a door properly, we need to know what it is made of. The construction of a door leaf is of considerable importance when it comes to the possibility of shortening it. In the case of fire doors, wooden external doors and those with a drop seal, it is impossible to interfere with the structure of the door leaf. Trimming models of this type will cause them to lose their properties.

When shortening the door, we should also take into account the ventilation undercut, indispensable in the case of bathroom doors. By cutting them at the bottom, it may turn out that the required parameters of the undercut have been lost.

We can easily trim interior doors ourselves, using commonly available tools. However, before starting the work, we should remember to check whether our interference will not void the warranty.