Why Your Doors Won't Stay Open (Or Closed)

A door that won't stay where you put it is maddening. It swings open when you want it closed, or refuses to stay ajar. The physics is simple: the door isn't hanging true vertical.

Understanding the Problem

Why Doors Swing

Gravity. If a door hangs even slightly off-vertical, it wants to move to its lowest position.

• If the hinge side leans into the room: Door swings closed
• If the hinge side leans away: Door swings open

Finding the Cause

Hold a spirit level against the hinge-side edge of the door when it's mostly closed. Is it vertical?

• Leaning top toward you: Door will swing open
• Leaning top away: Door will swing closed
• Perfectly vertical: Something else is going on

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Common Causes

1. House Settlement

Old houses move. Frames shift. What was square 50 years ago isn't anymore.

Signs: Gaps appear above door or at latch side. Frame visibly out of square.

2. Hinge Wear

After years of use, hinge pins wear. The door drops slightly, changing its hang.

Signs: Door catches at the latch side. Bottom edge drags on carpet.

3. Loose Hinges

Screws work loose over time. The door sags on its hinges.

Signs: You can wiggle the door on its hinges. Screws spin in their holes.

4. Incorrect Hinge Installation

If the hinge recesses aren't cut equally deep, the door won't hang plumb.

Signs: Problem existed from when door was fitted. Visible gaps at hinges.

5. Warped Door

Doors can warp, especially if they separate two areas with different humidity (bathroom vs hall).

Signs: Door doesn't sit flat in frame. Gaps uneven around edges.

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DIY Fixes

Fix 1: Tighten the Hinges

Start simple. Loose hinges cause most door problems.

1. Open door, support with wedge or book
2. Tighten all hinge screws
3. If screws spin freely, remove them
4. Pack holes with matchsticks and wood glue
5. Let dry, re-drive screws

Time: 10 minutes per door

Fix 2: Add a Shim Behind Hinge

To change the door's hang angle:

For door swinging open (leans toward you):

• Add thin cardboard shim behind TOP hinge
• This pushes the top of the door into the frame

For door swinging closed (leans away):

• Add shim behind BOTTOM hinge
• This pushes the bottom into the frame

How to shim:

1. Unscrew hinge from frame (not door)
2. Cut cardboard to hinge shape
3. Place behind hinge
4. Reattach hinge through cardboard
5. Test and adjust

Fix 3: Deeper Hinge Recess

If the hinge is too proud of the frame:

1. Unscrew hinge from frame
2. Deepen recess with chisel
3. Cut thin layers, test fit often
4. Reattach hinge

Caution: Only remove a little at a time. You can't put wood back.

Fix 4: Replace Worn Hinges

If the hinges themselves are worn:

1. Support door
2. Remove old hinges
3. Check recess fits new hinge
4. Adjust recess if needed
5. Install new hinges
6. Test operation

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When Simple Fixes Aren't Enough

Frame Needs Adjusting

If the frame itself is out of square, shimming hinges won't fully solve it. Options:

• Re-hang the door (professional job)
• Plane the door to fit (works but is a workaround)
• Accept a small gap somewhere

Door Needs Replacing

Severely warped doors can't be fixed. Time for a new door.

Structural Movement

If the house is actively moving, fixing doors is temporary. Address the underlying issue first.

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Door Stop Solutions

If fixing the hang isn't possible or worthwhile:

Keeping Door Open

Magnetic door stop: Magnet on floor, plate on door. Holds door at set position.

Over-door hook: Hooks over door and wall, holds door ajar.

Wedge: Classic, cheap, effective.

Hinge-pin stop: Fits over hinge pin, stops door at set angle.

Keeping Door Closed

Ball catch: Small spring-loaded ball catches in door edge.

Magnetic catch: Magnet holds door closed.

Friction hinge: Adds resistance to door movement.

Door closer: Hydraulic arm pulls door closed (common on fire doors).

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Room-by-Room Considerations

Bathroom Doors

Need to close reliably for privacy. Fix the hang properly or add a ball catch.

Bedroom Doors

Swinging open is annoying (light, noise). Usually worth fixing properly.

Kitchen Doors

Often left open anyway. Magnetic hold-open might be the answer.

Fire Doors

Must close fully. If a fire door won't close properly, fix it urgently. Don't use stops or hold-opens unless they're fire-rated automatic release.

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Prevention

When Fitting New Doors

• Check frame is square before fitting
• Use quality hinges (cheap ones wear faster)
• Cut hinge recesses carefully
• Test hang before finishing

Regular Maintenance

• Tighten hinges annually
• Lubricate hinges with WD-40
• Check door operation when decorating

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The Professional Option

Door hanging is one of those jobs that's straightforward... until it isn't. A door that's close to right is annoying. A door that's hung perfectly is a joy.

If you've tried the basic fixes without luck, or you've got several doors with issues, getting them all sorted professionally might be worth it.

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Doors driving you mad? I adjust, rehang, and replace doors across Exeter. Most problems are fixable in under an hour per door. Call 01392 964094 or get a quote.