Re: How to fix drafts and door slamming?

BeeBec

Hello! I have an old 1950s home. The front door is solid wood and will slam closed with the slightest bit of wind. I already have a magnetic door stop (this doesn’t stop it) and a sandbag door stopper, but this has to be placed in position and sometimes is moved by young children. I am worried that the force of the slamming door could seriously injure them (or worse).

Firstly, how can I stop the door from slamming? There needs to be a substantial amount of “slow closing” time on the door to allow enough space for pets and dogs. I purchased a hydraulic door closers from Bunnings but my husband thinks it will look terrible. Is there such a thing as a hydraulic hinge? Any other option that would help?

Secondly, is there a way to restore the door to repair any gaps between the frame? I already have some padded strips to stop drafts in areas that it could fit but it’s still quite drafty. It’s an old frame which we had restored with new glass and a custom security door to fit, so I don’t want to get a brand new frame/door.

Jason

Hi @BeeBec,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. We're so pleased to have you join us and look forward to reading about all your projects and plans for around the house and garden.

Let me see if experienced members @Nailbag, @TedBear or @JDE might be able to kick off this discussion and share their thoughts with you.

Jason

EricL

Hello @BeeBec

Allow me to welcome you as well to the Bunnings Workshop community. I suggest having a quick look at this discussion - How to create a soft close internal door? by @imcodebased. This is an excellent example of a door receiver that prevents doors from slamming without being too bulky. It's called the Dream Baby stop slam. This is an easy-to-install device and prevents the door from slamming. You'll need to go to the Special Orders Desk and ask them to order this off-range item.

In regards to the draft, I suggest using a Moroday weather seal to cover the gaps along the perimeter of your door frame. I also recommend looking at installing a Raven RP3 Door Bottom Clear 920mm, its spring loaded and closes on its own when the door is closed.

Here are some guides that can help:

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @BeeBec

There are a couple of other types of door stops like a push down one (I just installed on yesterday) which will never let go unless you release it or one of this plastic clip type. They look like they don't hold but if it's only a light to medium breeze then it will.

You can slow/control the door closing with one of these hydraulic door closers. If you use this you won't need any stoppers.

The door itself appears to be poorly installed and possibly a commination. of that and an out of square frame. The inside bottom corner is sticking out instead of being flush. The top left has a larger gap between the door and frame than the lower left. This look like the hinge on the bottom is rebated in and the one at the top isn't.

Nailbag

This all might be fixable by a decent handyman. Worst case you replace the door. A solid plain external door is around $200 and work there way up as you go with fancier fronts. You could take the opportunity to update the old deadlock and handle.

BeeBec

Thank you so much Eric. The seals look good.

Unfortunately the Dream Baby stop slam wouldn’t work due to the build up and fast nature of the door closing. The dream baby would potentially protect a finger, but I am needing something that would stop the door hitting a child’s head/body. Something that would make the door close slowly from about half way. I understand the Hydraulic door close that I bought would achieve this but am hoping there may be hinges that are more discreet looking?

BeeBec

Thank you so much for this. The door stops would be good, but I am needing something reliable that we can’t forget to do. The door closed extremely fast from further than half way open, so I would need something to slow down the rate of closing. I did buy the hydraulic door closers but am looking for something more discreet looking. Is there such a thing as a discreet hinge?

and do you think having the door reinstalled may help?

EricL

Hello @BeeBec

I'm sorry, but I am currently unaware of any hinges that prevent doors from slamming. However, I would like to suggest looking at the Lockwood 724 Series Commercial Slide Rail Door Closer. It is a low-profile door closer that uses slide rail technology giving it a very sleek appearance as the arm is not sticking out like a standard door closer. I've placed a sample installation guide below to give you an idea of how they work.

Here is handy installation guide: How to install a Door Closer with Slide Arm

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

TedBear

Thanks @EricL I hope that it is the answer for @BeeBec

- I hadn't seen those door closers before and I think it is exactly what I need for our front door, which also has a habit of slamming without warning when the wind conditions change. The best feature of that closer it seems to me, is the ability to slow the closing rate down to a safe speed, so that a child cat/dog, etc can move out of the way, or at least be bumped into more gently, without being slammed into by a forceful, dangerous projectile (ie the door).

As for door sealing, having tried both types, I suggest that Beebec use the D shaped rubber door seal rather than the Economy version (with the tiny holes in it). We have successfully sealed our front door from drafts using the combinations (D shaped seal at the sides and the Raven Door bottom) that you have already suggested to Beebec.

EricL

Hi @TedBear

Yes, it is a nice-looking door closer, and its low profile makes it look very modern. But if you get a chance to watch the installation video, you'll notice how much easier it is to install and adjust.

Eric

BeeBec

Hello @TedBear which D shaped seals do you recommend? Did you happen to have a link?

How to fix drafts and door slamming?

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How to fix drafts and door slamming?