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+--- Thread: Longer door hinge screws don't have enough reach on the house side, now what? (/showthread.php?tid=133360)
Longer door hinge screws don't have enough reach on the house side, now what? - deckeda - 03-12-2012
Short of replacing the door frame (or just part?) do I have other options?
This is the front door, each hinge uses 4 screws. I just replaced the original hinges, oiling them first-wow, what a difference! The original screws had never been replaced, so they were only 3/4" long. Most original screws were loose, and therefore replaced with 1" screws and a few needed 1.5" screws. My philosophy was to not use longer screws than necessary, to save some wood for "next time" ... but maybe that's wrong, and longer screws would simply stay better longer.
But the top hinge has TWO screws that don't have enough wood behind them. I tried 1", 1.5", 2" and 2.5" screws but none of them find meat. They make a 3" screw but that seems ridiculous. Same size, #9. I guess I can try #10 if they'll fit.
Re: Longer door hinge screws don't have enough reach on the house side, now what? - Grateful11 - 03-12-2012
The last entrance door I hung, many moons ago, I used 3 or 3 1/2" screws so that they would catch the framing in the
stud wall. If you use a high quality deep thread screw and run them into a stud there shouldn't be a next time.
Re: Longer door hinge screws don't have enough reach on the house side, now what? - Numo - 03-12-2012
As Grateful suggests, use screws long enough to go into the 2 x4 behind the frame. This also makes it tougher for someone to kick your door in. Remember to do the same thing to the latch plate on the opposite side of the door, too.
Re: Longer door hinge screws don't have enough reach on the house side, now what? - OWC Jamie - 03-12-2012
There could be quite a gap between the door frame and the rough in frame. Especially if they originally framed for a bigger door, or someone replaced the original with something smaller and there are rather large shims in the opening. You won't know this without taking the trim board off and looking. I'd try longer screws. Course, I've got a coffee can or two of leftover screws to try.
You could also find a wire or coat hanger or something to fish through the existing hinge hole and explore. It should hit something, but likely insulation will make that difficult.
Re: Longer door hinge screws don't have enough reach on the house side, now what? - deckeda - 03-12-2012
Thanks guys.
The door and opening are original. And it's located at a corner: inside the house I measured 4.5" from where the hinge meets the frame and drywall. Looks like I need at least a 5" screw for 1/2" of it to pierce new wood.
Re: Longer door hinge screws don't have enough reach on the house side, now what? - M A V I C - 03-12-2012
Sounds like you might be screwed.
(sorry)
Re: Longer door hinge screws don't have enough reach on the house side, now what? - lafinfil - 03-12-2012
deckeda wrote:
Thanks guys.
The door and opening are original. And it's located at a corner: inside the house I measured 4.5" from where the hinge meets the frame and drywall. Looks like I need at least a 5" screw for 1/2" of it to pierce new wood.
It doesn't matter how far it is to the adjoining wall, there is no way that there is a 4" rough in. Most rough ins are going to allow 1/2" to 3/4" on each side of jamb to allow shimming. When a door or window is rough framed there is a king stud that runs full wall height, and a jack stud which is closest to the jamb. The jack stud carries the header over the door.
Re: Longer door hinge screws don't have enough reach on the house side, now what? - deckeda - 03-12-2012
Ah, so I only need something around 3.5" to better reach the king stud.
Re: Longer door hinge screws don't have enough reach on the house side, now what? - OWC Jamie - 03-12-2012
32 inch door in a 36 inch rough out could give you almost 5 inches
Re: Longer door hinge screws don't have enough reach on the house side, now what? - deckeda - 03-12-2012
My front door is 36", if that matters.
Here you can see how close it is to a bathroom door inside.
And the distance to the drywall. It's 4.5", not the 4.25" it appears in the photo from that angle.
Gonna look for an assortment of lengths online somewhere; HD and Lowe's stop at 3".