Reversing A Bedroom Door: A Simple Diy Guide

Reversing a bedroom door can be a great way to change the look and feel of your room and solve space problems. This process involves changing the direction of the door swing or moving the hinges to the other side. It is a relatively simple process that can be done without the help of a carpenter. All you need are the right tools and a bit of time. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to reverse a bedroom door, covering everything from removing the door to filling in old hinge locations.

Removing the door

Before you start reversing the bedroom door, you'll need to remove the existing door, hinges, and strike plate from the door jamb. This process can be done by following these steps:

Take down the door:

• Leave the door closed and use a nail punch and hammer to remove the hinge pins.
• Once the pins are out, open the door and it will fall into your hands.

Remove the door stop:

Use a pry bar to carefully remove the door stop so that you can reuse it later.

Unscrew the hinges:

• Use a drill/driver to unscrew the hinges from the door.
• Keep the screws in a cup so that you can easily find them later.

Remove the doorknob:

If your door has a locking doorknob, you will need to unscrew and remove it. If it doesn't have a lock, you can leave it as it is.

Unscrew the strike plate:

Unscrew and remove the strike plate from the door jamb.

Once you have removed all the components, you can proceed to the next step, which involves creating new hinge and strike plate mortises on the opposite side of the door jamb.

Creating new hinge and strike plate mortises

To create new hinge and strike plate mortises on the opposite side of the door jamb, you can follow these general steps:

Mark the new hinge locations:

• Reattach the hinge leaves to the door.
• Set the door back into the door jamb, propping it up with shims to close the gap at the top and leaving a space underneath.
• Unfold the hinges against the jamb and draw their outlines with a pencil.

Chisel or rout the new hinge mortises:

• You can use a hammer and chisel or a small router to create the new hinge mortises.
• Make sure the mortises are deep enough for the hinge surfaces to be flush with the jamb.

Install the new hinges:

Screw the hinges into the new mortises using the same screws that were holding them before.

Reversing the doorknob and strike plate

If you are reversing the handing of the door (changing from left-hand to right-hand or vice versa), you will also need to reverse the doorknob and strike plate. Here are the general steps:

Reverse the doorknob:

Remove the doorknob, reverse it, and reinstall it on the opposite side of the door.

Reverse the strike plate:

• Remove the strike plate and chisel the hole for the lockset barrel slightly wider.
• Reverse the strike direction and replace the strike plate on the opposite side of the jamb.

Reversing the hinge direction

Step 1: Take Down the Door

Remove the hinge pins and take the door down. It is best to leave the door closed while removing the pins with a nail punch and hammer. Once the pins are out, open the door, and it will fall into your hands.

Step 2: Remove the Door Stop

Carefully pry off the door stop with a pry bar so that you can reuse it later.

Step 3: Reverse the Hinge Direction on the Door

Unscrew the hinges from the door using a drill/driver. Then, reverse their direction and screw them back into the same mortises. If your door is wider than the hinges, you will need to adjust the positioning and drill new pilot holes for the screws. You may also need to chisel out the mortise to make it wider.

Step 4: Reverse the Hinge Direction on the Jamb

Unscrew the hinges from the jamb, reverse them, and replace them. If your hinges are wider than the door, you will need to move them by the same amount in the direction of the outside of the door. This will involve chiselling the mortises slightly wider and drilling new pilot holes.

Step 5: Reverse the Strike Direction

Remove the door strike, chisel the hole for the lockset barrel a little wider, reverse the strike direction, and replace it.

Step 6: Reverse the Doorknob

Remove the doorknob, reverse it, and replace it. If your doorknob has a lock, remember to unscrew it before reversing.

Step 7: Replace the Door Stop

Hang the door back on the hinges, close it, and replace the door stop on the inside of the door.

Filling Old Mortises (Optional)

If you want to fill in the old hinge mortises, cut pieces of wood to fit into the spaces and glue them in place. Sand the wood flat and repaint if necessary.

Filling old mortises

When reversing a bedroom door, you may need to fill in the old mortises left from the previous hinge installation. Mortises are the pockets or holes cut into the door frame or door itself to accommodate the hinges. Filling these old mortises is a crucial step to ensure a smooth and secure installation of the hinges in the correct positions for the door reversal. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to fill old mortises:

• Remove the hinge screws and hinges: If there are any remaining screws or hinges from the previous installation, carefully remove them using the appropriate screwdriver. Make sure to keep these screws safe, as you may need them again when reinstalling the door.
• Clean and prepare the mortise area: Use a utility knife or a chisel to remove any remaining wood fragments or debris from the mortise. Ensure that the area is clean and free of any loose material. Also, inspect the mortise for any damage and make necessary repairs if there are cracks or splits in the wood.
• Select the appropriate wood filler: Choose a high-quality wood filler that closely matches the color and grain pattern of the door. Epoxy or latex wood fillers are commonly used and can be tinted to match the surrounding wood. Consider the size of the mortise and select a filler that will adequately fill the cavity and provide a strong bond.
• Fill the mortise: Follow the instructions on the wood filler packaging for proper mixing and application. Typically, you will need to mix the filler with a hardener or activator to initiate the curing process. Using a putty knife, carefully fill the mortise with the wood filler. Ensure that the filler is firmly packed into the cavity and that there are no air bubbles or gaps. Smooth out the surface of the filler to create a flush and seamless finish with the surrounding wood.
• Allow the filler to dry and cure: Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the recommended drying and curing time. Depending on the type of wood filler used, it may take several hours or even a full day to completely cure. Do not disturb or handle the door excessively during this period to avoid damaging the filler before it has fully hardened.
• Sand and finish: Once the filler has cured, use fine-grit sandpaper to gently sand the filled area. Blend the filler with the surrounding wood, creating a smooth and consistent surface. You can apply a matching wood stain to the filled area to closely match the color and grain pattern of the door if needed. Finally, seal the area with a clear finish or topcoat to protect the wood and ensure a uniform appearance.

By carefully filling the old mortises, you can ensure a seamless and secure hinge installation when reversing your bedroom door. This process will help to maintain the structural integrity of the door and provide a smooth and aesthetically pleasing finish.

Cutting new mortises

To reverse a bedroom door, you will need to cut new mortises on the opposite side of the door jamb. Mortises are shallow cuts made in the edge of a door and the door jamb that mirrors the size and thickness of the door hinge. The hinge mortise allows the hinge to be mounted flush with the jamb and door so that the door will close properly.

Step 1: Mark the Hinge Spot

Place your door in a position where you can clearly see the back edge. Then, place the hinge flush against the door, with the middle hinges in the exact centre of the door, top hinges 7 inches (18 cm) below the top, and bottom hinges 11 inches (28 cm) above the bottom. Use square-edged hinges that are either 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) or 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) thick for ease of installation. Draw an outline around the hinge using a pencil, making the lines as straight as possible.

Step 2: Score the Outline

Remove the hinge from the door and use a utility knife to create small grooves along the pencil lines. Extend the blade to no more than 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) and drag it along each line.

Step 3: Mark the Mortise Depth

Place the tip of a hinge wing against the front or back side of the door, lining it up perpendicular to the outlined spot. Gently score the spot with your utility knife to indicate the depth of the mortise.

Step 4: Make the Cuts

Place the edge of a sharp chisel into one of the mortise outline grooves and gently tap the back end with a hammer or mallet, pushing it into the door. Repeat this process until you have carved around the entire perimeter of the mortise spot. Then, angle your chisel at about 45 degrees, with the bevelled side facing up, and create angled cuts across the grain of the mortise spot. Make cuts no more than 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) away from each other and cover the entire space between the outlines.

Step 5: Remove the Grooves

Place the flat edge of the chisel between two of the grooves and apply slight pressure, then pull the tool backward to scrape the wood out of the mortise. Repeat this process until you have removed the majority of the grooves.

Step 6: Scrape the Mortise

After removing the grooves, there may be some remaining slivers and rough spots. Place your chisel flat against the mortise, with the bevelled side facing up, and scrape away the excess wood to create a smooth surface.

Now that you have cut new mortises, you can proceed to attach the hinge and reverse the door swing.

Reinstalling the door

Now that you have made the necessary adjustments to the door and the door jamb, it is time to put everything back together.

First, hang the door back on the hinges. You can do this by lining up the hinges on the door with the new hinge mortises on the opposite jamb. Make sure the door is level and prop it up with shims if necessary.

Next, replace the door stop. Close the door all the way so that the outside surface is flush with the edge of the jamb. Position the door stop against the inside edge of the closed door and nail it to the jamb with finish nails.

If you are reversing the handing of the door (changing from a left-hand to a right-hand swing or vice versa), you will need to reverse the doorknob direction. Remove the doorknob, turn it around, and reinstall it.

Finally, install the strike plate. Mark the position of the latch barrel on the jamb when the door is fully closed. You can use lipstick or a pencil to make a precise mark. Drill a hole at the mark and then trace the outline of the strike plate. Chisel inside the outline to create a mortise for the plate, then screw it into place.

Close the door and test the knob to ensure it is functioning correctly. If the door is painted, you may need to do some touch-ups to match the existing colour.

And that's it! You've successfully reversed the swing of your bedroom door.

Frequently asked questions