Length of screws for door hinges

Fernand Martin

Are 1/2" long flat head countersunk screws adequate for installation of interior doors onto a door frame? What is the retention force of a 1/2" countersunk wood screw in a pine wood frame. This is a new home and the general contractor provided interior door kits using 1/2" long screws.

jproffer

1/2" ?

I'd go a little longer than that. At least 1.5 to 2"...but really, you can use as long as you want. Worst thing that can happen is you actually get into something solid

mae-ling

Usually aroud here the screws that come with doors are only 3/4" as that is how thick the door material is. For a more solid door, shim solid behind the hinge area and use 1.5-3" screws that get you into the stud. Predrill!!!

TarheelTerp

+1
You shouldn't need to do all 4 on each hinge that deep...
but at least one per hinge should be (even on interior hollow core doors).

mae-ling

I usually to the two furthest back from the edge of the stud on the top hinge (our hinges have 4 screws) The bottom hinge rarely pulls out. Also 2 longer screws into the door, predrill.

Yoyizit

The top screws need to resist pullout but the bottom screws are being pushed into the jamb so they can be much weaker.
http://www.screw-products.com/specs.htm

NewHomeDIYGuy

As others said.. using one longer screw per hinge will add some strength. I used one 3" screw per hinge and you can notice a difference.

ratherbefishing

A pre-hung door will have hinge screws that engage, but don't stick through, the jamb. Ya gotta be able to slide it into the RO. After it's in, change a few out for screws long enough to bite into the studs. If the casing's already on, there's no telling if there're shims near the hinge, so don't pull too tight.