How to Put Butterfly Hinges on a Screen Door in 4 Simple Steps

This DIY is as breezy as your screen door

A screen door in the front of a house
Photo: Studio D / Adobe Stock
A screen door in the front of a house
Photo: Studio D / Adobe Stock
Mariel Loveland
Written by Mariel Loveland
Contributing Writer
Updated Oct 1, 2024
SKILL LEVEL
Simple
COMPLETION TIME
30 minutes
COST
Up to $25
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
  • 1-inch chisel
  • Utility knife
  • Drill
  • Drill bit set
  • Self-centering drill bit
SUPPLIES
  • Butterfly hinges
  • Screws

In good weather, screen doors can let in a nice breeze while keeping pesky bugs out. If you didn't buy a pre-hung door with the hinges preinstalled, you’re going to have to install them yourself. Luckily, this straightforward DIY doesn’t hinge on any special knowledge. You just need some basic tools and a little time. Use this guide to learn how to put butterfly hinges on a screen door in four steps. 

Prepping to Install Butterfly Hinges on a Screen Door

Some doors come with hardware, while others don’t. Before starting, get the right size door hinges for your project. If this requires a trip to the hardware store, note down the dimensions and weight of your door. You’ll need two to three hinges for most interior doors and three to four hinges for most exterior doors. If you’re unsure, a professional door installer can help you determine the right number of hinges.

How to Install Butterfly Hinges on a Screen Door

Butterfly hinges are one of the most popular types of hinges because of their practical design. They attach right to the surface of your door. Follow these steps to install butterfly hinges on your screen door.

  1. Determine the Placement of Your Hinges

    Before installing your hinges, check your local building code. Where you place your hinges determines the direction your door opens, and some building codes require doors to open in the direction of egress.

    As a rule, If you put your hinges on the inside of the door, the door will swing inwards, which is ideal for interior doors. If you put the hinges on the outside of the door, the door will swing outwards, which is ideal for exterior doors.

  2. Mark the Placement of Your Hinges

    A person placing butterfly hinges
    Photo: Kadmy / Adobe Stock

    Use a ruler to measure out the placement of your hinges and mark the location with a pencil. You’ll need at least one hinge at the top of your door (around 5 inches on center from the top) and one hinge at the bottom of your door (around 10 inches on center from the bottom). If you need to use additional hinges, spread them out evenly between the top and bottom hinges.

  3. Mortise the Hinges (If Necessary)

    Some door hinges have to be level with the surface of the door, requiring you to cut an indent known as a mortise. To do this, you can trace the outline of each hinge on the door in the correct location. Use a utility knife to score the outline at the exact depth of the hinge. Put your chisel in the score and gently dig away at the wood until the indent is the exact size of hinge.

    To check your work, pop your hinge into the mortise. When you run your fingers over the hinge, it should feel flush with the door. If it sticks out, shave away more wood with your chisel. If it lays too deep, add a shim under your hinge.

  4. Attach the Hinges

    A person installing a screen door
    Photo: ronstik / Adobe Stock

    Use a drill to screw the hinges into place. Most hinges come with screws, but If not, the screw size for your door hinges should be listed somewhere on the packaging. A self-leveling drill bit will help you screw the hinges directly in the center of the screw holes.

    Once you attach your hinges to your door, you can hang your door by installing the door hinges in the correct location on the door frame.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Putting hinges on your door is just the first step of door installation. If you’re not prepared to hang your door, you won’t really save much money by installing the hinges on your own. This is a job that a pro can do in about 10 minutes before they install your door.

If you’re prepared to DIY the rest of the installation and hang your own door, you’ll save on the cost of labor. Just make sure it’s something you can tackle on your own. Certain installations are more complicated. For example, there’s little room for error when cutting a mortise. Get it wrong, and you may need to buy a new door. In this case, it’s best to hire a local door repair service to get your door working.

Frequently Asked Questions

A butterfly hinge—also known as a surface mount hinge or dovetail hinge—is exactly what it sounds like: a hinge that resembles a butterfly. This type of decorative hinge, which is mounted on the surface of a door or cabinet, consists of two panels. One panel is mounted on a stable surface like a door frame and the other is mounted on the surface you need to open. It hinges open and closed like the wings of a butterfly.

A screen door needs at least two hinges, though most have three or four hinges. The amount of hinges depends on the weight and size of the door. The heavier your door, the more hinges it will need for support. Exterior doors, which are sturdier than interior doors, have the most hinges.

Butterfly hinges are one of the most common types of hinges and you can use them all over your home. Though they’re common on doors, cabinets, and shutters, you can even find them on decor, like jewelry boxes, music boxes, and trunks. Doors may have basic butterfly hinges, while the hinges on cabinets and decor may be more ornate.

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Learn more about our contributor
Mariel Loveland
Written by Mariel Loveland
Contributing Writer
Mariel is a writer from New York City who has a passion for helping renters and homeowners make their space unapologetically their own—and save a few bucks along the way.

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