Basic Door Shimming

Common problems associated with door openings require shims to be installed in the correct place to solve the issue. This video will cover the basics of shimming a door and the effect it has on the opening. Having a firm grasp on how to correctly shim a door will help you in the field to solve common door opening issues.

[chrisbowling]

You just solved an all day door alignment nightmare. Great video

[makelikeatree]

Just want to thank you for this. I had to improvise the shims with cut down zip ties and double stick tape, but they worked perfectly to push/pull my garage access door into alignment - with your suggestions about shim placement and screw sequence. You Tube at its very best.

[to-ttfc]

This is the best on the web, proper and logical that people need to understand to deal with doors installation and adjustment. I have spent many, many days Do-It-Myself on the 7 Jeld Wen hollow core interior doors from Home Depot, have had a hard time to adjust the upper door gaps, and have developed some concepts of what You are talking about here but so far stuck (for weeks, should I admit). I have been thinking of modifying the hinges slots and somehow shim them like you described here but have not been sure.

Coming across your video finally just now and I realise that I actually do not to modify the slots (mortises) but just do exactly what You show here. Good thing I doubted and did not follow the other suggestions on all the hinge benders tools on the web which I think would destroy my doors or jambs in first place.

Thank you much and you have a good day.

[jpeezy]

Best basic and straightforward video on this that I've seen. Good job sir! Thank you

[TheWoodStroker]

I used a sliver of wood for the shim. Mine was scrapping at the bottom under the lock. I shimmed the top hinge (jam side) on the side furthest from the barrel. WORKED like a champ! Thanks for the video.

[InkSpilledSky]

Thank you. Your explanation is brilliant. Your post saved us from replacing our door!

[coolbananaboy]

This was VERY educational, excellent video. I never realized that you could add a shim away from the hinge barrel to pull in the door. Thanks so much.

[tonyvalerio]

Thanks a lot man really helped, was so frustrated trying to figure this out and I tried it once and was spot on didnt have to do anything else (perfect fit). My problem was at the 1:26 mark and doing that with small shim in hinge and screwing as explained was perfect. Thanks so much great video;)

[t.e.]

A friend and fellow carpenter showed me this about 20 years ago. Been using this method ever since on interior doors. I use heavy / dense cardboard shims I make and use CA to hold them in place so they'll stay in place if the painters remove the door. Never knew you could buy them. Thanks!

[sweetiepienumber]

Clear simple video. Watch it again if you don't understand and pause where needed. Look at where the redish pink area is on the hinge. Those areas are where you put the shims. Either close, or away from the barrel.

[teresaforsyth]

Thanks to you, along with an old Safeway customer card, some tape, scissors and luck....I got my closet door fixed!

[willie_mccoy]

Those shims are called "Ready-Shims"

How I wrote it down to remember:
PUSH LEFT, PULL RIGHT.
OPPOSITE SCREWS FIRST.
(Shim placement location in relation to the hinge barrel) To push the door away from the hinge, put it on the left closest to the barrel. To pull the door towards the hinge, put it on the right farthest from the barrel.

[eddie]

Thanks, very helpful explanation. Fixed my sticky door easily with these instructions. Excellent!

[ChristopherChambers-lohl]

Great explanation, much appreciated solved the problem on my double front doors sagging.

[joshjohnson]

Excellent video, showed me exactly what I needed.

[timgibson]

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome. Thanks for making this so easy. Worked like a charm. Thanks!!!

[WesselsReaper]

Perfect video that i was looking for. Thank you!

[stephenyoung]

Thank you for the instructional video . . . very well explained and most useful!

[Bigalhunting]

Thank You Sir, my grandfather showed me this trick when I was about 12 years old and I for the life of me couldn't remember if it was on the door or the jam. Cheers

[BERTolkein]

thanks. this worked. although it took me an hour. I didn't have the shims and couldn't wait, so I used old credit cards cut lengthwise in 3rds and taped together. Had to shim both the top hinge away from barrel and bottom hinge next to barrel to achieve result.