Doors and Locks
Doors in your home are wood or composite products subject to natural characteristics like shrinkage and warpage. Humidity changes and normal use may occasionally require minor adjustments. Understanding door behavior and maintenance keeps them functioning properly.
Doors that stick only during humid weather or have gaps only during dry weather are experiencing normal wood movement - this is not a defect.
How It Works
Doors consist of several components:
- Door panel - The door itself (solid, hollow core, or panel design)
- Frame/jamb - The surrounding structure the door hangs in
- Hinges - Allow the door to swing open and closed
- Hardware - Knobs, handles, locks, and latches
- Strike plate - Metal plate the latch engages
- Weatherstripping - Seals around exterior doors
- Threshold - Bottom seal on exterior doors
Routine Maintenance
| Task | Frequency | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| Check door operation | Monthly | 5 minutes |
| Lubricate hinges | As needed | 5 minutes |
| Lubricate locks | Annually | 10 minutes |
| Tighten hardware | As needed | 10 minutes |
| Check weatherstripping | Annually | 10 minutes |
| Check thresholds | Annually | 5 minutes |
Hardware Care
Doorknobs and locks should operate correctly with little attention. Over time, they may need slight adjustments due to normal shrinkage of the framing.
Door locks: Lubricate with graphite or other waterproof lubricant. Avoid oil, as it will gum up the locks.
Hinges: Remove the hinge pin and apply silicone lubricant. Avoid oil, as it can gum up or attract dirt.
For squeaky hinges: Remove the pin, color it with a lead pencil, then re-insert. The graphite lubricates without dripping onto flooring.
Bi-fold and Bypass Doors
Interior bi-folds and bypass doors sometimes stick or warp because of weather conditions:
- Apply silicone lubricant to the tracks
- Check that rollers are properly seated in tracks
- Adjust as needed for smooth operation
Weather Stripping and Thresholds
Weather stripping and exterior door thresholds occasionally require adjustment or replacement:
- Check annually for wear and gaps
- Replace as needed for energy efficiency
- Adjust threshold height if light is visible underneath
Troubleshooting
Door Not Working Right? Check This First
| Problem | Quick Fix |
|---|---|
| Sticking door | Apply paste wax, paraffin, or candle wax to sticking surface |
| Won't latch | Check strike plate alignment - look for wear marks |
| Loose hardware | Tighten hinge screws and door knob screws |
| Squeaky hinge | Remove pin, apply silicone or graphite lubricant |
| Bi-fold sticking | Apply silicone lubricant to tracks |
| Warped door | Keep closed; often returns to normal |
Common Door Issues
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Door won't latch | Settling shifted strike plate | Adjust or re-mortise strike plate |
| Sticking seasonally | Normal wood expansion | Wait for weather change; wax if persistent |
| Gaps around door | Normal wood contraction | Usually returns in humid weather |
| Warping | Humidity, one side exposed | Keep closed; may self-correct |
| Loose hinges | Normal use | Tighten screws; use longer screws if stripped |
| Squeaking | Dry hinges | Lubricate with graphite or silicone |
Fixing a Door That Won't Latch
If a door won't latch due to minor settling:
- Look for wear marks on the strike plate to see where the latch is hitting
- You can make a new opening in the jamb for the latch plate (re-mortising)
- Raise or lower the strike plate accordingly
- File the strike plate opening slightly if close to alignment
Preventing Door Damage
Slamming: Slamming doors can damage both doors and jambs and can cause cracking in walls. Teach children not to hang on the doorknob and swing back and forth.
Before planing a sticking door, try:
- Apply paste wax, light coat of paraffin, or candle wax to the sticking surface
- Tighten the screws that hold the door jamb or door frame
- Wait for seasonal weather change
If planing is necessary, use sandpaper to smooth the door and paint the sanded area to seal against moisture.
What to Avoid
- Don't plane doors for seasonal sticking - Wait for weather change; may resolve naturally
- Don't use oil on locks - Gums up mechanism; use graphite instead
- Don't slam doors - Damages doors, jambs, and can crack walls
- Don't hang on doorknobs - Causes loose hardware and sagging
- Don't ignore weatherstripping gaps - Causes energy loss
- Don't force stuck doors - May damage door or frame
Door Panel Shrinkage
Panels of wood doors shrink and expand with temperature and humidity changes:
- Unpainted edges may become visible
- Touch up paint or stain is homeowner maintenance
- This is normal behavior, not a defect
Trim Separations
Use putty, filler, or latex caulk to fill minor separations that develop at mitered joints in door trim. Follow with painting to match.
Related Topics
- Cabinets - Similar hardware maintenance
- Caulking - Filling trim separations
- Condensation - Humidity effects on doors
- Air Conditioning - Humidity control
Warranty Coverage: See Doors and Locks Standards for coverage periods and exclusions.