Doors can swell against the floor, a part of the frame, or even the ceiling. The biggest issue that can cause problems for doors, especially externally facing doors, is the presence of moisture. Temperature also can play a part – warmth can cause the wood to expand, meaning doors can become hard to close.
There are several reasons a door may stick in the doorframe, including loose hardware, a sagging frame, or seized hinges. Humidity is another common cause of sticking doors: The high moisture level in the air can seep into the wood, resulting in a swollen door that does not open or close properly.
Doors can become hard to open in the summer due to several factors, primarily related to humidity and temperature changes: Humidity: High humidity levels can cause wooden doors to absorb moisture, leading to swelling. This swelling can make the door fit more tightly in its frame, making it difficult to open.
To prevent a wooden door from swelling due to humidity, treat it with a high-quality sealant or water-repellent finish. Products like polyurethane or marine varnish can provide a protective barrier. Additionally, ensure proper ventilation in the area and consider using a dehumidifier if necessary.
Tighten screws or bolts on the door frame and strike plate
The screws or bolts that secure the strike plate should be checked periodically to make sure they are tight. If they are loose, the strike plate will not be able to properly receive the bolt, and the door will not close securely.
Check Those Hinges
The first order of business is to inspect the hinges. Often, a door not closing properly is a hinge issue. Grab a screwdriver and tighten those screws on both the door and the frame.
Wonky hinges are the key to most common door problems, so give them a good look first. Loose screws or a door that appears to be sagging are clear signs that your hinges may need a helping hand.
Temperature also can play a part – warmth can cause the wood to expand, meaning doors can become hard to close. Shifts in temperature can be caused by the ambient change in line with the seasons, or because of a heater, or other heat source situated near the door.
If the swelling is due to humidity, using a fan or dehumidifier can help reduce the moisture and make it easier to open. Will a swollen door go back to normal? Sometimes, yes! If the humidity drops, a swollen door might shrink back to its original size.
Timber tends to swell more with moisture (and some composite doors do contain timber), and humid weather can bring a double whammy of heat and ambient moisture to swell your doors with! Swelling in heat/humidity isn't anything you need to be worried about, as this is a natural process that affects these materials.
Humidity can cause excessive moisture and the heat can cause the door to warp. This warping can also occur around the lock, which can result in it becoming difficult to turn the key in the lock, or even cause the key to get stuck in it.
How Do Warm Temperatures Affect Windows and Doors? While the cold causes frames to shrink, warm temperatures lead a window or door frame to expand. Repeated sun exposure and hot conditions may warp a frame to the point where its energy efficiency and quality are compromised.
The swelling is caused by humidity and temperature changes, which cause the wood to expand and contract. Over time, the door will adjust to the new conditions and return to its original shape.
Hot Weather Tips: Open vs.
During hot weather, keep interior doors open to help your air conditioner circulate cool air more effectively. Closed doors can trap heat in certain rooms, forcing your AC to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home.
Use a Dehumidifier
If your doors are already extremely swollen, you can speed up the process with a hair dryer or heat gun. Use your chosen tool to dry out the moisture from the door, but make sure you hold it at least 30 cm away from the door to ensure you don't burn the wood!
As temperatures warm up in the summer, many homeowners and business owners experience jam locks. This usually affects exterior doors, as increasing temperatures can cause the door to expand slightly. As a result, locks can become difficult to turn or get stuck entirely in one position.
It's quite common in the summer for doors to swell and start sticking as the humidity levels increase outside. As wood is a natural substance, it can absorb this excess moisture in the air and this causes the door to scrape along the floor or at other points in the frame.
The most likely cause is that the latch isn't engaging properly with the strike plate – the two crucial parts that need to interact in order for the door to stay closed. You'll generally be able to tell by the absence of any clicks or snaps when you push the door closed.
High humidity can also cause the lubrication in the door's hinge pins to degrade more rapidly and make the door more difficult to operate. Builtup dirt and grim around door and window frames can lead to sticking year-round, but higher humidity levels can cause it to clump together and become even more problematic.
Picture a sponge soaking up water; as it swells, it becomes larger and softer. Your wooden doors do much the same. The moisture causes the fibres in the timber to expand, which is why your door becomes difficult to open and close.
Closing a door blocks the path of cool air into a specific room. Consequently, you reduce airflow in the room and throughout the system.
In short, cold weather can make the wood expand, the frame shrink, and the metal parts stiffen—resulting in sticking issues. If the door is misaligned, the door latch misses the strike plate so it can't shut properly. Even if you fix swelling or shrinkage, this might need adjusting to ensure the door closes properly.
If the door is sticking because of humidity, chances are that the weatherstripping needs to be replaced. Old or damaged weatherstripping can cause leaks which let moist air into your home, causing doors to stick. 3. Apply a lubricant to sticky hinges.
Don't seal warped doors, this will not allow the imbalance to correct itself. In most cases a warped door will straighten out after it has acclimated to its surroundings. We recommend the door be allowed to hang through at least a heating and cooling season to allow it to straighten out.