How To Adjust The Hinge On An Outside Door?

This article provides instructions on how to install door shims to adjust a door that is out of alignment with the door frame. The shims are available in two sizes: 1/2″ wide.060 Thick Hinge Shim and.090 Thick Hinge Shim. To make shims at home, measure both sides of the doorway and cut appropriately-sized wedges from materials such as cardboard.

To shim door hinges, remove the prehung door from the frame and remove the pins in the hinges with a nail set and hammer. Set the door aside and place the frame inside. If the door won’t close properly, check the hinges for bent or distorted hinges on the side of the door.

Shimping can be an effective solution for many common issues with doors and does not require any special tools or materials. To effectively shim a door hinge, place a support or wooden wedge under the door to relieve tension. Place equal thickness shims between each jamb mounting plate and hinge leaf.

If the sill is flat, put a door in the opening and tack it with a nail just below each hinge. Then, plumb the jamb and shimm the hinge side of the door to center the prehung door. Once the lock side is centered, hammer in the shims.