How to Install Inset Door Hinges

Stand the new door on its front edge, with the back edge facing up at you.

Lay the first new hinge on the edge of the door next, 4 to 8 inches from the top of the door. Lay it so one of the two plates is sitting flat on the edge, with the hinge pin sitting on the side of the door that will open inward and the second plate hanging down off that side.

Trace around the hinge plate onto the door edge with your pencil, drawing a rectangle. Remove the hinge. Cut along the lines with your utility knife. Chisel out the area, using your hammer and wood chisel. Take the whole surface down by 1/8 inch.

Lay the hinge back in place. The plate should drop into the chiseled area, so the surface of the plate sits even with the level of the surrounding wood. Shoot hinge screws through each of the hinge holes to secure it.

Repeat for each hinge you want to install on the door. Generally, you'll put one near the top, one near the bottom and a third in the middle.

Hold the door up into the opening, positioning it where you want it to be when it's installed. Set the unattached hinge plates against the door jamb. Mark around the edges of the plates, onto the door jamb. Chisel out the spaces. Hold the door back in place and shoot hinge screws through the holes in the plates to secure them to the jamb.