There are a number of reasons you might need to remove an interior door in your home, like replacing carpet, painting or staining the door, or replacing it with a new one. Removing a door is much easier than it might seem at first and only requires a few tools, some patience, and a bit of time. Here’s how to remove a door without damage or injury.
Prepping to Remove a Door
Removing a door can usually be a one-person job, but if you’re working with a solid, heavy door or aren’t confident in your own ability to handle the door's weight by yourself, enlist the help of another person to lighten the load.
When removing a door, keeping it closed and latched will take the weight off of the hinges as you work, and keep the door in place until you’re ready to move it.
In some cases, you may find that your hinges have been painted over. Paint may make it difficult to separate the hinges once the pins are removed, so use your utility knife to cut away any paint between hinge sections.
Remove the Hinge Pins
Photo: Lost_in_the_Midwest / Adobe Stock
Starting with the bottom hinge, remove each door hinge pin by placing a large nail at the bottom of the pin and gently tapping the nail with a hammer until the pin starts to come out at the top of the hinge. When the pin has about an inch or so showing at the top of the hinge, you can remove it.
Some pins can be pulled out by hand, but for more stubborn ones, place the head of your screwdriver under the head of the pin and gently tap the screwdriver with your hammer until the pin comes loose. Repeat this for each hinge and set the pins aside so you can find them easily when it’s time to put the door back.
Protect Your Floor
Before removing the door from the hinges, slide a piece of cardboard underneath to ensure your floors aren’t damaged.
Remove the Door
Photo: Forenius / Adobe Stock
Open the door a few inches, and with one hand on the doorknob and one under the top hinge, pull the door slightly to the side to separate the hinges and back it out of the doorway. If the door is too heavy, use a pry bar underneath to relieve some of the weight and try again.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
DIYing your door removal will keep the task cost-effective, but if you aren’t confident that you’ll be able to do it, a local handyperson can handle this kind of job. The cost to hire a handyperson averages between $40 to $140 an hour. If you’re looking to replace the door or if you need a new door frame, a door installation contractor near you can take on the whole job from beginning to end. The cost of an interior door installation can range from $350 to $1,200.
Frequently Asked Questions
Over time, the weight of a door and wear on the hinge itself can cause hinge pins to come loose and fall out. It’s a good idea to periodically check your hinges to ensure the pins are fully in place. If your hinge pins have become loose, gently tap them back into place with a hammer or replace the pin.
It’s certainly easier to paint a door while it’s still on its hinges, but you may get better results if you remove it from the hinges. Painting a door off the hinges allows you to work on it horizontally, making prep work easier, reducing drips, and allowing undisturbed drying time.
Rachel is a freelance writer and editor dedicated to helping people clean up their messes, get organized, and learn to love their homes again. Her work has appeared in Elle, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Apartment Therapy, Lifehacker, and NBC News.
Rachel is a freelance writer and editor dedicated to helping people clean up their messes, get organized, and learn to love their homes again. Her work has appeared in Elle, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Apartment Therapy, Lifehacker, and NBC News.
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