How to straighten a bent door?

[tarun1arora]

Hi All,

I have a front door which is just one year old and is exposed to sun. The door is dark colored and has bent over time. My builder is saying he cannot replace it as dark color voids the warranty. 

Is there a way to fix the door and straighten the door as it is getting difficult to lock the door day by day? I have a carpenter who said it's called banana door in carpentry. 

TIA

[EricL]

Hello @tarun1arora 

In order to give our members a better idea how badly your door has bowed, would it be possible for you to post a few photos of its current condition. Once we've seen the door, we'll be able to make recommendations whether to attempt a repair or just replace it.

If you need a hand posting the door, please let us know.

Eric

[tarun1arora]

Hi Eric,

Please see the photos attached. The door is out a little not too much but can't close it properly. The latch on thr side has already been moved once see the photo and can't be moved more. 

[EricL]

Hello @tarun1arora 

Thank you for posting a picture of your door, it appears that the bend on your door is not so bad. I see two possible ways to repair this, first, I propose using a planner on the upper left-hand corner of your door to reduce its thickness. This will allow the door to come closer to the edge of the door frame and its original position letting the doors lock engage properly. Once the door is in the correct position you can then paint the planned surface 

The other option is to remove the striker plate and filling in the screw holes with liquid nails and timber dowels. This will then allow you to move the striker plate to a better position to receive the lock.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.  

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @tarun1arora 

Mmm With the door being only a year old I would be pushing back on the builder/carpenter that there is an issue. Was the diagonal cuts made to the door before you bought it or did the carpenter do it as an effect? I havnt heard of a "Bananna door" before and am thinking of a manufacturing defect either in the door or with the install.

If you dont want to go down the path with the carpenter and yeah I get that as well. Id go with option B of @EricL's and move the striker plate via filling the old area in and recutting it.

Frames do move with changes in weather and weather seals can mask the "look" of it being bent so the striker plate move would be the most eye appealing fix.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @tarun1arora 

It's very disappointing to hear that though the doors warranty is void, that the carpenter couldn't offer a solution at cost. Though the suggested fix by @EricL is sound, it will however result in a rebate/step in the door face on the opening side, which isn't ideal but the only solution. To perform this will require a skilled handyman/carpenter. But then my concern would be that the door will continue to deform and a reasonable amount of money will have been wasted. 

Personally I would get quotes on a replacement door and reconsider the choice of colour that will be inline with a warranty, which I believe will be the most cost effective resolve in the long run.

Nailbag

[tarun1arora]

Have already tried and builder has said as dark color voids the warranty straight away. Will see how much more I can move the stricker plate.

[tarun1arora]

Looks like this might be the only option to change the doors.

[Dave-1]

Evening @tarun1arora 

How about getting a quote for a new door and then comparing it against what its going to cost to fix your existing door? Not a great answer but if you fix it now compare to waiting to see if the existing door bends more down the track is it worth the extra stress?

Dave

[Nailbag]

Definitely worth pricing the option up @tarun1arora