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How to solve door not closing?

I am recently having issues with an internal door closing. The door is internal to my lounge and garage and appears to be pinching on the “strip” that runs around the door frame, specifically on the hinge side. (Sorry, I am unsure of correct terminology). This prevents it from closing. It only has started doing this since installing a wood heater, and when it is exceptionally cold outside. My theory is that the heat is causing something to expand therefore the pinching is occurring?

I am after tips on how to stop the door from pinching.

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Comments

JacobZ

Hi @rorycarr,

Typically, you would have a 3mm gap on both the hinge and lock side of the door as well as the top, with the bottom of the door being a bit larger, around 10-15mm.

Expanding doors, causing the door to stick, is a fairly common issue, although it is a bit odd that it would be on the hinge side of the door. The gap between the door and the jamb is set by the thickness of the hinge, so if it were hitting on this side, then the door would need to expand around the hinges, which it doesn't appear to be.

Can I ask you to close the door and take some photos of the gaps around the door?

Examining the gaps to see where it is tight when closed will help reveal where the issue lies.

The usual solution is to unscrew the door, use a planer to take 2-3mm off the width of the door, repaint that edge and then rehang the door.

If I see something strange with the additional photos, there may be a different solution, but this is the most likely one.

I'll assist further when I can see the gaps.

Jacob

AlanM52

Hi @rorycarr,

RE: specifically on the hinge side.

I see a normal gap top to bottom on the hinge side?

I agree with you the unusual temperature conditions (when it occurs) on either side of the door is causing it to expand/swell.

I'll wait for the photos @JacobZ requested to further discuss.

Cheers

rorycarr

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/56024#Comment_56024

Hi mate. Now that I have let the house cool the door is closing a bit further however it is still getting stuck. Prior to this, it would get stuck on the lip inside the garage on the hinge side (underneath the bracket for the gas strut on my original photo) which meant that there would be about a 5cm gap on the latch side.

now that it’s cooler, the door seems to miss that lip and is now catching near where the latch goes into the door frame (see new photos)

rorycarr

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/56028#Comment_56028

Uploaded in my reply to his message!

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/90365#Comment_90365

Hello @rorycarr

Thank you for sharing those extra photos of your door. I'm still recommending @JacobZ's suggestion of using a planer to trim the door by 2mm to 3mm so that even if the door expands it will still operate smoothly. My other suggestion is that while you have the door off the hinges, I recommend painting the top and bottom of the door where I suspect moisture is entering and affecting the size of the door.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

R4addZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/111048#Comment_111048

Hi @rorycarr

If possible make the changes during a dry spell as if you do this then seal the top and bottom of the door as well as the rest of it, you will be sealing moisture in the door which may well not be a good thing.

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