Removing a door from its hinges is easy. First, lock the door to keep it stable, then remove the hinge pins and lift the door off its hinges. You may need to remove a door from its hinges for several reasons, such as replacing it, refinishing it, installing new flooring, or making repairs. It also provides extra space when moving large objects through a doorway.
While this task is simple, doing it correctly is essential to prevent damage to the door, hinges, and frame. Improper removal can cause scratches, dents, or misalignment, making reinstallation harder and increasing the risk of injury. This article will show you how to remove a door from its hinges properly.
| Project difficulty: Beginner Estimated time to complete: 10 to 20 minutes Project cost: None |
When asked whether removing a door from its hinges is a straightforward task for DIYers, Chris McCurdy of Lone Peak Carpentry confirmed that it is. He stated that the process is very simple and definitely something a DIYer can handle.
He also shared his step-by-step process for removing a door from the jamb. He said, “First, I shut the door completely. Then, I remove the pins in the order of bottom, middle, and top.
“After removing the pins, I open the door and, lifting the handle, grab the side of the door with the hinges. Then, I lightly lift the door out of place, separating the two halves of the hinges in the process, and put the door somewhere safe.”
Supplies Needed
Tools
- Flathead screwdriver
- Hammer
- Concrete or decking nail, or a similar-sized rigid implement
Steps to Remove a Door
Step 1: Secure the Door
Start by closing the door completely. Then, slide a few pieces of sturdy cardboard underneath to support most of its weight. This prevents the door from falling when you remove the hinges. Press down gently to ensure the cardboard is stable and holding the door securely in place.
Step 2: Check the Hinge for Removal
The next step is to check the hinge to determine the best way to remove the hinge pin. Hinges have different designs, so inspecting the one on your door will help make the removal process easier.
Doors pivot around hinge pins: metal rods that connect the two hinge plates. The pin usually has a rounded or flat head at the top to prevent it from slipping through, while the bottom end is often tapered or open for easy removal.
However, some hinge pins have fixed caps or finials on both ends, which makes them harder to remove unless you disassemble the hinge or force out the pin. The type of hinge on your door will determine the best method for removing it.
Step 3: Remove the Hinge Pin
Once you have inspected the hinge, it is time to remove the hinge pin. If the pin has an exposed bottom end, place a flathead screwdriver or a nail underneath it. Gently tap the tool with a hammer to loosen the pin.
Choosing the right tool based on the size of the pin’s bottom end is also important. If the opening is large enough, you can push the pin out with a flathead screwdriver. However, if the opening is smaller, a thin concrete nail may be a better option, as it can fit into the narrow space and help you loosen the pin more effectively when you tap it with a hammer.
For pins with fixed caps on both ends, try to remove the bottom cap by prying it off with a screwdriver or by gently tapping it from below with a hammer. Once the cap is off, insert a thin nail or punch into the hole at the bottom of the hinge and tap it upward with a hammer until the pin comes out.
| Pro Tip: Chris mentioned that while he has used screws, nails, or Allen wrenches to remove hinge pins in a pinch, he strongly recommends using specialized tools like the HIT Door Hinge Pin Removal Tool or the Ryobi Pin Remover and Installer. |
Read more: How to Remove a Door Hinge Pin
Step 4: Remove the Door
Once all the hinge pins are removed, carefully lift the door off the hinges. Hold the door firmly on both sides and gently pull it away from the frame. If the door is heavy, be cautious, as you may find it difficult to handle, and dropping it may cause damage.
For large or solid doors, having someone assist you is a good idea to prevent accidents. Once you have freed the door, gently set it down on the cardboard you placed earlier to keep it stable and protect both the door and the floor.
Step 5: Reinstall the Door
Once you have finished painting, repairing, or making adjustments, it is time to put the door back in place. Carefully position it on the cardboard to keep it stable and protect the floor. Align the hinges with their slots on the door frame to ensure a proper fit.
Insert the hinge pins into the hinges and tap them gently with a hammer if needed. Before securing them fully, open and close the door a few times to check that it swings smoothly. Adjust the hinges or pins before tightening everything in place if there is any resistance.
When it comes to removing, reinstalling, and replacing hinges, Chris shares his approach: “I remove them with a drill or impact driver. When reinstalling, I either use a drill with an adjustable chuck setting or hand-tighten the screws the last bit. You want to make sure you don’t strip out the screw holes, especially since most modern doors are made of MDF.
“If you do strip out the holes or they came that way, you can use golf tees with wood glue to bang into the holes (this works on both the door and the jamb), then trim them off with a small handsaw or razor blade.”
| Pro Tip: “If reattaching hinges into a door or jamb without holes (or newly repaired holes), I use a self-centering drill bit to pre-drill the holes. Overall, the key is to take the time and not rush. Undoing a screw by hand may take longer, but an impact bit slipping off and scratching the finish off of a hinge takes longer.” – Chris McCurdy |
Related: How to Hang a Door
FAQs
If a door hinge pin is stuck, tap it with a hammer and a screwdriver to loosen it. If it doesn’t budge, apply penetrating oil and wait a few minutes. You can also grip the pin with pliers and twist it while pulling up or use a nail and hammer to push it out.
If the pin has caps on both ends, wedge a screwdriver between the hinge knuckles and twist to create space. If nothing works, remove the entire hinge to access the pin more easily.
No, not all door hinge pins can be removed. Some hinges have fixed pins that manufacturers permanently secure for security or durability. Others may have caps or finials on both ends, making removal difficult. Check the hinge design first to see if you can take out the pin.
Removing a non-removable hinge pin requires alternative methods since manufacturers design the pin to stay in place. Some hinges have riveted pins, meaning a manufacturer hammers the ends into a mushroom shape.
In this case, you will need to grind off one end before pushing the pin out. Other hinges have threaded pins that you can unscrew or a setscrew that secures the pin in place, which you must remove first.
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Read more related articles:
- How to Hang a Prehung Exterior Door
- How to Hang an Exterior Door in an Existing Frame
- How to Hang a Prehung Interior Door
- How to Hang an Interior Door in an Existing Frame
Main Image Credit: Lost_in_the_Midwest / Adobe Stock
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