Why Do Doors Stick?
Summertime usually means more outdoor activities. While heading out, wooden doors may be sticky, getting stuck on the frame when opening and closing. This is often an issue for wooden doors. There are several reasons why this might be happening, and the persistence of the problem can lead you to look to a door supplier in Alaska for advice and guidance. Here’s a look at why this problem occurs, and what you can do to fix it or prevent it from happening.
Humidity
One of the biggest culprits for sticky doors is humidity. As the heat and humidity rises, wooden doors are susceptible to swelling. A wooden door that hasn’t been protected by a water-repellant finish will absorb water and expand, making it too big for the doorframe to open properly. This results in the sticky door. Preventing more water from getting into the wooden door should be the top priority. For inside doors, a dehumidifier can help. Outside doors should be protected against the elements as much as possible. You can go to a door supplier in Alaska, like Replacement Glass, for the supplies you need. A water-repellant finish, an overhang and a screen door can all help prevent more swelling.
Go for a complete re-finish
You may also want to consider doing a complete re-finish of the door. This is a major do-it-yourself project. You’ll need to take the door off the hinges and remove the hardware from the door. Then you need to sand off the old finish and apply the new finish. Be sure to consult the door manufacturer to see which finish is best for your door. You can then go to a door supplier in Alaska, like Replacement Glass, to get what you need. Don’t be afraid to ask staff members if you have any questions. Keep in mind that a door that has a lot of swelling may need professional expertise to fix.
Get a clean start
Humidity isn’t the only cause of sticky doors. Sometimes dirt, paint or other debris can accumulate, causing a sticky door to actually be sticky. In some cases, the solution is as simple as lightly washing the door with soap and water to get rid of the dirt and grime. Other times there’s a little more work to be done. If too much paint or sealant gathers around the frame of the door, you may need to sand it down. You need to be careful not to sand down to the door itself. Otherwise, it won’t fit as well as it should, and may let in a draft. After sanding, you’ll paint and re-finish the affected area.
Dealing with a sticky door day in and day out can be very frustrating. Luckily, there are some simple solutions that you can do on your own. If you need any help, you can contact a door supplier in Alaska, like the experts at Replacement Glass. We’re more than happy to help you with any of your door needs, whether it’s a cleaning or a re-finish. We have more than 150 years of combined experience and look forward to serving you soon!
Categorised in: Door Supplier