How To Make A Pair Door

Pair or double doors are a versatile option for upgrading your home interior, a top choice for homeowners who want a practical but stylish finish. Creating a double door is a popular choice of room divider for kitchens and living spaces, allowing you to effortlessly create an open-plan feel while maintaining the flexibility of closed-off spaces.

 

You can join two doors together with a pair maker from Leader Online, which are all DIY-friendly and extremely adaptable for your home improvements and renovations.

 

Ready to get started? Let us show you how!

 

Contents

 

What is a pair door?

 

What are rebated pair doors?

 

Which door does a pair maker go on to?

 

A step-by-step guide to installing and hanging a pair of doors

 

What is a pair door?

 

Pair doors, or double doors, consist of two doors installed side by side within the same frame. These doors typically open from the centre, creating a wide entryway when both are open.

 

 

What are rebated pair doors?

 

A rebated pair door means that your pair door has a high-quality finish with no gaps between where each of the doors meets, which may occur using other pairing techniques.

 

Rebating a door means modifying the doors to allow them to fit together like jigsaw puzzle pieces. Ordinarily, this would mean removing a section along the vertical edge on the handle-side of each door to allow the doors to sit comfortably together. But, with a pair maker from Leader Online, there is no need to adjust the doors at all.

 

 

Which door does a pair maker go on to?

 

Before you pair your doors, consider which way you want the doors to open. You’ll need to think about whether the doors will open left hand open away or right hand open away, so here are a few tips to help you work out which you would prefer:

 

Step 1: Stand facing the pair door or where they’ll be fitted

 

• Position yourself in front of the door where the doors will be installed. Imagine the layout of the room or space on both sides of the doorway.
• Consider the room’s purpose and how you will typically use the space.

 

 

 

Step 2: Consider which door you will open most often

 

• Decide which door in the pair will be the “primary” door - the one you’ll open more frequently. For example, the primary door might be closest to the main traffic flow in a living room.
• Think about the placement of furniture or fixtures near the door. The door swing should not block furniture, pathways, or usable space.
• Factor in the size of the room. Smaller rooms may benefit from outward-opening doors, while larger spaces might accommodate inward-swinging doors more easily.

 

 

 

Step 3: Push the chosen door open

 

• Push the door open as if it were already installed. This will help you visualise how the door will operate in the room.
• Determine whether the swing direction feels natural and practical for the room’s layout.

 

 

 

Step 4: If the door hinges on your left, you need a left-hand open-away door pair.

 

• If the hinges of the primary door are located on the left-hand side when you face the door, it is considered a left-hand door.

 

“Open-away” refers to the direction the door swings relative to you:

 

• If the door swings away from you and the hinges are on the left, it is a left-hand open-away configuration. This setup is useful if the layout of the room to the left accommodates the door swing better.

 

 

 

Step 5: If the door hinges on your right, you need a right-hand open-away door pair

 

• If the hinges of the primary door are located on the right-hand side when you face the door, it is considered a right-hand door.
• If the door swings away from you and the hinges are on the right, it is a right-hand open-away configuration. This setup is ideal if the layout of the room to the right works better for the door swing.

 

 

 

A step-by-step guide to installing and hanging a pair of doors

 

Tools needed:

 

• Pair maker
• Primary door
• Secondary door
• Screws and screwdrivers
• Hinges
• Drill
• Level
• Measuring tape
• Wood glue (optional)

 

Step 1: Choose the primary and secondary doors

 

Using the steps above, determine the primary and secondary doors.

 

• Primary door: This will be the main functioning door that opens and closes.
• Secondary door: This door will remain fixed most of the time but can open if needed.

 

Step 2: Install the secondary door

 

Position the secondary door:

 

• Place the secondary door onto the door frame.
• Make sure it is level and properly aligned where it will hang.

 

Attach the hinges:

 

• Install the hinges on the door frame, ensuring they are positioned properly to support the door's weight.
• Secure the hinges on the secondary door and the frame using screws.

 

Check alignment:

 

• Before securing everything, double-check that the secondary door hangs evenly within the frame and swings freely without obstruction.

 

It is fairly common for new doors to have a bit of excess that requires trimming. If this is the case, please refer to our guide on how to trim doors to the right size.

 

Step 3: Install the pair maker

 

Position the pair maker:

 

• Temporarily attach the pair maker to the edge of the secondary door.
• The pair maker will act as a rebate, allowing the two doors to fit flush together when closed.
• If the pair maker is too tall, cut it down to size.

 

Fix the pair maker:

 

• Use screws to secure the pair maker to the edge of the secondary door.
• Ensure it is level and firmly attached to avoid any gaps when the doors are closed.

 

Step 4: Install the primary door

 

Position the primary door:

 

• Place the primary door into the door frame.
• Ensure it aligns properly with the secondary door when both are closed.

 

Attach the hinges:

 

• Install the hinges on the frame where the primary door will be mounted.
• Secure the hinges on the primary door, ensuring they are in the right position for smooth operation.

 

Check alignment:

 

• Once both doors are in place, check that they are level and aligned correctly. The pair maker should allow the two doors to sit flush against each other.
• If the fit is too tight, plane the edge of the door without the pair maker.

 

Step 5: Adjust and test the doors

 

Test opening and closing:

 

• Test both doors to ensure they open and close smoothly without sticking.
• Adjust the hinges or the pair maker if necessary to ensure a tight seal when the doors are closed.

 

Final adjustments:

 

• Adjust the hinges or use a wood shim for final adjustments if the doors do not line up correctly.

 

Step 6: Secure and finish

 

• Once you are satisfied with the alignment, tighten all screws securely.
• Optionally, apply wood glue or other finishing touches to ensure the doors are sturdy and secure.

 

For more detailed information on attaching your doors, follow our guide on how to hang a door.

 

 

Shop pair doors and pair makers

 

Aside from being functional, pair doors are a stylish and elegant way to create a seamless transition between rooms.

 

Our curated selection of pair doors at Leader Online combines timeless aesthetics with modern functionality, ensuring you find the ideal match for your space.

 

Why wait to transform your home? Browse our collection today and discover pair doors and pair makers.