Articles | 5 Alternatives to Door Replacement

If your door isn t closing properly (or at all), it is fairly obvious that you want to fix the problem. However, repairing a slight problem may be easier than doing an all-out door replacement, and it may also be cheaper.

How will you know whether you need a repairman or a door replacement? Get familiar with these five alternatives before you order a new door replacement.

1. Adjusting the hinges.

If your door is not sitting properly in the frame, this can make it difficult or impossible to close completely. It may be that the jamb or parts of the frame have shifted, or, if you have a wooden door, the edges of the door have become warped. Before deciding on a door replacement, try adjusting the hinges, beginning at the top of the door, to see if that troubleshoots the problem. For this fix, you will need to ask a friend for help. One of you can hold the door in place as the other one works on the hinges.

2. Shaving the door s edges.

This fix works specifically for wooden doors. Sometimes in climates with high humidity, the wood can absorb moisture from the air and actually change shape and expand. When this happens, your wooden door may not fit in its frame the way it is supposed to. If the disparity is minor, there is no need for a full door replacement. Just shave the door s edges on the side opposite the hinges to get it back into shape. Remember to only shave a little at a time to achieve the best fit.

3. Replacing the weatherstripping.

Many doors now come with weatherstripping along the edges that help prevent the escape of air out of your home or the unwanted entry of hot or cold air. This little difference can mean big savings for your home s energy bill because it will keep you from having to spend as much on heating and cooling. In addition, it will save you the trouble of door replacement. When the weatherstripping becomes worn, it will not be as effective, but it is easy to replace. After taking a trip to a local home improvement retailer to purchase self-adhesive weatherstripping, all you should need is measuring tape, a utility knife, needle-nose pliers to remove the old stripping and a pair of scissors.

4. Reattaching door jambs.

This easy repair only requires adhesives like strong-bonding glue, caulk or wood filler. Since door jambs take the brunt of abuse when doors are forcefully closed or slammed, it is not uncommon for them to break or become loose over time. When that happens, you run the risk of the door not being able to close properly. Even though it may look like serious damage to the door frame, there is no need for door replacement. This problem only needs a bit of glue to put the jambs back into place. Once you have reattached the loose parts, fill in any spaces or holes with caulk or wood filler.