Here’s a dopey DIY question. I’m replacing some interior hollow core doors in my home with solid core pine. I’m beginning with a 24″ wide, 1 3/8″ thick closet door that’s hung with two 3.5″ hinges. Do I need to add a third hinge to support the extra weight of the solid door? It seems to me that the door is narrow enough that two hinges should do, but I’d hate to learn that I’m wrong the hard way.
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Replies
3 hinges will help keep a door flat better than two.
Residential hinges can be of questionable quality, 3 will last longer than two.
Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
Check the load rating of the hinges, if it isn't printed on the box, don't buy'em. Most hinges are rated for 150 lbs per pair, IF they are screwed, or fastened into solid structural material, for example a 2x4 or 2x6. If the screw doesn't grab anything, then its no use using 4 hinges per door.
scares me, and I'm fearless
James,
That raises a new and fascinating subject. The screws that come with most hinges I find at HD and the like are only long enough grip the jamb, not the framing behid it. Why? Should I use longer screws and worry less about the number of hinges?
Is all of this lack of ready information some sort of sick attempt to force me to purchase pre-hung doors?
I'm fearful and typically too ignorant to be scared.
do you think drywall screws would be appropiate?Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
Forget the primal scream, just Roar!
Pre-hung doors aren't any different. The factory screws are only long enouigh to almost reach the back side of the jamb, which for an interior door will be not more than 3/4". I think the load rating of the hinges for almost all interior residential uses is of no consequence. More immportant is the length of the screws. Get some 2-1/2" or 3" deck screws and replace half the screws in the jamb side of the hinges.
Drywall screws definitely wouldn't match the polished brass hinges, and the bugle heads won't lay flush. But I can't see why 2 to 3" brass plated screws shouldn't work. Unless of course the short screws packaged with hinges reflect a real need to keep the hinge/door assemblies floated off the framing.
Edited 9/15/2002 9:42:50 PM ET by KAHANJ
Edited 9/15/2002 9:43:22 PM ET by KAHANJ
sorry guys- was attempting humor by referencing on old cabinet screw controversy dealing with screw types.Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
Forget the primal scream, just Roar!
> Unless of course the short screws packaged with hinges reflect a real need to keep the hinge/door assemblies floated off the framing.
The thinking could be that the jamb is adequate to support hollow core, and that an uninformed installer would be likely to tighten long screws enough to distort the jamb.
-- J.S.
Isn't that why shims were invented?
Rez - I picked up on your thinly disguised attempt to start another drywall screw brouhaha, and graciously let it slide. Wasn't that nice of me? :)
Ah, yes. But they may be anticipating that the uninformed installer won't be aware of shims....
-- J.S.
What is surprising is not what the uninformed don't know but what they do know and what the informed don't.
I rarely use the screws that come with the hinges for most jobs.
I have a five gallon bucket full of them (and very heavy too i might add)
You can always purchase brass plated steel screws, or, I usually take a dab of brass metallic (or is it metallic brass?) paint and put a dab on each screw. Ace hardware has the best color match availiable down here in N'awlins.
Also, pre-hung doors, if you notice either :
A) have two screws per hinge missing so that they can be anchored properly or
B) have a sticker on the jamb instructing you to remove two or more of the screws and replace them with longer ones
scares me, and I'm fearless
Keep in mind that brass screws are soft. Predrill the hole, and first put in a regular screw, back it out and then put in the brass one. That way you get the screw in without stripping the head.
rez - I got the joke! You guys crack me up.
Use ONE hinge..... A piano hinge the entire length of the door!...
In all seriousness, in regards to the using screws of a different metal or alloy:
Using a steel screw against a brass or aluminum hinge could result in a Galvanic potential which would corrode the lower metal in the Galvanic series.
Those different-metal screws should at least be coated...
A similar situation might arise with metal doors and different metal hinges/screws.