The hinge-side gap is the narrow clearance (gap) between a door and its frame on the hinge side — the side where the door ‘hangs’. This gap is needed to make room for the hinge and to prevent the door from jamming when the timber expands.
Why a hinge-side gap is needed
- Room for the hinge — the protruding parts of the hinge need clearance
- Movement of the timber — wood expands and contracts with temperature and moisture; without a gap the door will jam
- Material difference — softwood (spruce) swells more than hardwood and therefore needs a slightly wider gap
Application and rules of thumb
- Planing to fit — if a door has to be planed to size, this is done on the closing side, not on the hinge side. That keeps the hinge edge straight
- Damp rooms — for storerooms or exterior doors the gap may be slightly wider to allow for expansion
- Burglary risk — an overly wide gap on accessible exterior doors increases the risk; keep the gap no larger than necessary
The hinge-side gap is the counterpart of the closing gap on the lock side. Together they let a door open smoothly and close neatly.
Related terms
- Door
- Door frame
- Rebate
- Door hardware
- Doorstop
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.