"Close the door!" "I can't!"

We often take doors for granted--until something goes wrong. Fortunately, doors are simple in construction and operation, meaning you can easily fix them if you know how they work and what to do when they don't. The Fix-It Club knows!

How Does It Work?

Prehung doors are installed in an opening as a unit.

A door is a moveable barrier that allows entry or exit into a defined space. Some doors swing on hinges while others slide on tracks. Exterior doors typically are made of solid wood while many interior doors have hollow cores. Fire doors are often made of or covered with metal. Some doors are made of glass with a metal frame rather than wood. Others are made of vinyl or even fiberglass. Yet they all operate and are repaired approximately the same way.

Doors include the door itself as well as the jambs (surrounding frame) and casing or trim. Doors also have locks, latches, knobs, and hinges, covered under the Door Hardware Fix-It Guide .

What Can Go Wrong?

The most common problem with a door is that it sticks or binds. A door may not close properly. It may rattle. A sliding door may be jammed or not slide smoothly. An exterior door may let in a draft from outside.

Caution!

Before removing a door from its hinges, make sure you have somewhere safe and solid to lean it. Doors can be heavy and, if they fall, can hurt someone or something.