How to fix a front door that is hard to close?

[Trouper66]

Have a double front door which is becoming hard to close. It seems that the top of the frame is coming off a support beam (refer photos). Seems that the top needs to be tapped in to rectify.

Any suggestions/comments welcomed.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Trouper66,

Many thanks for your question, I'd be happy to assist. I'm having some issues trying to identify where the top of the frame is coming off a support beam. When you say the door is becoming hard to close, is it now rubbing on or jamming against the frame? At what point does it start to become hard to close, when it is fully open or just went it is about to latch?

We will need to find what area is causing the issue to identify why it is happening. Generally, in most scenarios with a door that is hard to close, it is just a matter of readjusting the hinges or removing a small amount of timber to stop binding. Please let us know if you can find an area where the timbers are rubbing against each, jamming together or have swollen

Mitchell

[JDE]

@Trouper66 

Have you considered replacing one of the screws in the hinge with a longer one that goes all the way through into the supporting timber. Or putting a couple of screws through the door jam into supporting framework. Often jams are only hekd in with a few nails.

JDE

[Trouper66]

G'day Mitchell

Sorry for the delay. The problem appears to be at the top of the each of the side windows. There is a gap at the top of each which extends half way down. I will attach 3 photos which may give a better indication of the problem

Regards Andrew.

[MitchellMc]

@Trouper66,

The easiest option is to address the point where the doors are binding. Were you able to find a point where the door is rubbing on the timber frame? Since there is a gap on the side windows at the top, it would suggest the top of the doors are most likely contacting each other when you close the door. Alternatively, it could be the door is now hanging and is rubbing against the bottom panel of the door jamb. To solve this issue you would need to remove timber from those points that are making contact. This could be as simple as inserting a piece of sandpaper in between and opening and closing the door several times.

In order to fix the issue of the panels coming away from the frame, you would need to remove the doors and have a closer look at how the panels were installed. This could require the panels being removed completely if they can not be returned to the normal position with the addition of more fixings.

The key would be to determine if a slight adjustment of the timber on the door would fix the issue, or whether the panels need to be returned to their original position.

Please let me know if you need further advice or had more questions.

Mitchell