Have you ever pulled a door shut only to have it slowly drift open again? Or pushed a door only to feel it grind against the frame? When doors in your home don’t close properly, it’s more than just a minor annoyance—it can be a signal that something deeper is going on within your home’s structure.
Let’s take a look at the common causes behind misbehaving doors, what they might indicate, and how to go about fixing them.
- Foundation Movement or Settling
What it means:
Over time, homes naturally settle. But excessive settling or shifting in the foundation can cause the frame of your house—and the doors along with it—to become misaligned. If several doors in your home have recently started sticking or won’t close properly, especially on one side of the house, it could point to foundation issues.
What to do:
Walk around the exterior of your home looking for visible cracks in the foundation or gaps between the house and the ground. Inside, check for cracks in walls near door frames or slanted floors. If you suspect foundation movement, call a structural engineer or foundation specialist for an evaluation.
- Humidity and Seasonal Changes
What it means:
Wood swells in high humidity and shrinks in dry conditions. If a door sticks only during certain times of the year—like the summer when it’s more humid—it might simply be reacting to the environment.
What to do:
Run a dehumidifier during humid seasons to help stabilize moisture levels indoors. Light sanding on the edge of the door may also help, but avoid aggressive trimming until you’re sure the problem isn’t seasonal.
- Loose or Misaligned Hinges
What it means:
Over time, screws in door hinges can loosen, causing the door to sag or fall out of alignment with the latch. This is especially common in older homes or in doors that are frequently used.
What to do:
Inspect the hinges and tighten any loose screws. If the screw holes are stripped, you can use longer screws or fill the holes with wooden toothpicks and wood glue before reinserting the screws for a firmer grip.
- Warped Doors or Frames
What it means:
A door itself can warp due to age, moisture, or poor construction. Frames can also become misshapen over time. This can cause the door to rub, stick, or leave uneven gaps.
What to do:
If the door is warped but the frame is fine, you might be able to replace just the door slab. If the frame is also warped, you might need a carpenter to assess whether the whole unit needs replacement or repair.
- Improper Installation
What it means:
If your door never closed quite right from day one, there’s a chance it was improperly installed. A poorly installed frame or incorrect placement of hinges and latches can cause persistent issues.
What to do:
Examine the fit of the door in the frame. If it’s uneven or the latch doesn’t line up with the strike plate, you may need to have it re-installed or adjusted. A handyman or door specialist can typically correct this with minor realignment.
- Shifting Subfloors or Framing
What it means:
Framing and subfloor movement isn’t always due to foundation problems—it can also result from moisture damage, pest activity, or structural wear and tear. This can distort how the door fits in its frame.
What to do:
Look for other signs like squeaky floors, bouncy spots, or gaps under baseboards. A contractor or home inspector can help you determine if structural repairs are needed.
Final Thoughts
Doors that don’t close properly are more than just an inconvenience—they’re like messengers telling you something could be wrong behind the scenes. Whether it’s a bit of seasonal swelling or a deeper structural issue, paying attention and addressing it early can save you headaches down the line. A small fix today could prevent a big repair tomorrow.
