How To Cut Down Doors (Shorten Door Height)

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This short video will from The Honest Carpenter will show you how to cut down or short doors (especially interior doors) using common carpentry tools. If done right, this simple project can be carried out in 20 minutes!

It's frequently necessary to cut down or shorten doors for rooms where new flooring has been installed, changing the height of the finished floor. The amount of gap you want to create beneath a cut down door is a subject of debate. I like a 1/2" gap beneath interior doors to maintain privacy and light occlusion, but allow for some air flow between rooms.

Be sure to check out our other interior trim project videos:

HOW TO REMOVE TRIM AND CASINGS:
   • HOW TO REMOVE TRIM LIKE A PRO! Don't ...  
PROJECT NOTES: CRAFTSMAN WINDOW TRIM:
   • Project Notes: Craftsman Window Trim  
HOW TO FIX A ROTTED SINK CABINET:
   • Rotted Sink Cabinet Floor--How To Fix  

TOOLS:
Circular Saw
Straight Edge
Tape Measure
Clamps
Hammer

MATERIALS:
Painter's Tape

HOW TO CUT DOWN DOORS (SHORTEN FOR HEIGHT):
1) Remove the door by knocking out hinge pins. It can be helpful to put a few shims beneath the door to hold its weight while separating the hinge knuckles.
2) Lay door across saw horses or a work table.
3) Measure distance from blade tooth to edge of sole plate. Add this number to the desired amount you wish to remove from door bottom.
4) Set blade depth by laying circular saw on door with blade hanging down. Adjust blade until it hangs 1/4" past underside of door.
4) Apply painter's tape to all four surfaces of door bottom.
5) Place layout marks on door face with pencil at desired measurements form step 3.
6) Clamp straight edge to door at these points. Keep handles pointed away from cut pass.
7) Carefully, slowly make your cut with edge of sole plate in constant contact with straight edge. Allow waste piece to fall away.
8) Remove tape; lightly sand bottom edges to ease.
9) Re-hang door and check for fit.

That's how you cut down doors that don't fit their openings! If you enjoyed the video, please hit like and subscribe.

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