How to Adjust Front Door Hinges
How To Adjust Front Door Hinges
A misaligned front door is a common problem. Over time and regular use, door hinges and screws move, causing small gaps or rubbing between the door and its frame. Sometimes, the weather affects how your door opens and closes, as wood and UPVC expand during warmer weather.
If your front door is catching a bit and generally needs some basic realignment, you can save a lot of money by learning how to perform this relatively simple process yourself. Adjusting the hinges on your front door is a straightforward task well within the limits of a regular DIY householder.
This helpful DoorStation guide will direct you through the steps involved in adjusting your front door hinges.
1. Inspect The Door
Thoroughly inspect the door and frame, looking for signs of rubbing or misalignment. A visual inspection will identify any obvious areas of damage or gaps. Note that a 1/8-inch gap is normal between a door and its frame. Look for signs of cracking in the wood that may be causing the problem. Also check that the door and frame are square using a spirit level or tape measure. Allowing the door to swing open and close freely will also show if the door is level. Finally, open and close the door several times to see where it catches and look for possible latch problems.
2. Tighten Existing Hinge Screws
Locate the hinge screws. There should be several screws on the top hinge and the bottom hinge attaching the door to the frame. First establish whether the screws are loose or the thread is stripped. A screw where the thread has been stripped will need to be replaced. To tighten the screws, use an appropriate screwdriver and tighten each screw clockwise firmly, taking care not to overtighten as this will damage the thread.
3. Replace Short Screws with Longer Ones
Longer screws create a more secure fit, so it is very worthwhile replacing short screws when fixing a misaligned door. A hinge screw should ideally be 3 inches long. Preferably, using a drill or, if not, a manual screwdriver with a Phillips head, replace the screws one at a time. Unscrew the old screw and replace it straight away with a longer one, making sure it penetrates deep into the door frame. This will ensure the door remains hung and stable during the procedure.
Top Tip: If a screw hole is stripped, use wood glue and toothpicks or dowels to create a strong fix with the new screw.
4. Adjust Hinge Position with Shims
A shim is a thin wedge of wood, plastic, cardboard, or other material used to fill a gap between a door frame and wall. It is used to adjust and align doors, creating smooth, level movement. To fit a shim, first identify where the door is rubbing. Loosen the screws on the hinge nearest to the problem and insert the shim. Repeat, adding more shims as necessary until you achieve a smooth mechanism.
5. Recess Hinges Properly
Sometimes, a poorly fitting hinge not flush to the frame and door causes the door to rub. In this case, you will need to remove the screws, hinges and door completely and create a deeper opening for the hinge to rest in, before putting everything back in place. You can adjust the hinge placement using a chisel. Chisel out more of the frame to make a deeper hole for the hinge. Take care not to remove too much; a little at a time is recommended, and regularly place the hinge within its setting to see if it fits flat to the frame.
6. Bend Hinge Knuckles for Minor Adjustments
If the rubbing occurs on the hinge knuckle, carefully bend and adjust it using an adjustable wrench or knuckle bender. Make small adjustments and keep checking until you’ve achieved a good positioning.
7. Address Stripped Screw Holes
A stripped screw hole is a hole where the screw threads have damaged the surrounding material, so that the screw has nothing to grip and tighten to. This often happens when a screw is overtightened. To repair a damaged thread hole, remove debris and insert wood filler. Allow it to dry and sand it down. It can then be redrilled for the replacement screw. Other methods include inserting toothpicks or matchsticks with wood glue into the hole, allowing it to dry, and then redrilling.
When adjusting the hinges on your front door, try the steps above, one at a time, until your door moves freely as you want it to.
If your front door is beyond repair, take a look at the extensive range of quality external front doors at Doorstation. We have over 90 different styles in stock, ready to impress and built to last.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Adjusting a misaligned front door might seem like a fairly simple DIY task, but like all things, it’s also very easy to get it wrong! Here are some helpful tips to make sure you don’t come unstuck.
- Avoid over-tightening screws. This is the most common mistake people make. Overtightening can strip the screw holes or damage the hinge. The screws should be firm, but don’t force them too far.
- Another pitfall among homeowners is not using shims, which are a crucial tool for correcting vertical misalignment.
- Make sure to adjust the correct hinge. Diving in without checking which hinge is causing the problem will create further misalignment. Make sure you thoroughly inspect the door and frame before embarking on corrective works.
- Use the correct tools. While a power drill is useful for making holes for longer screws, a manual screwdriver is more suited to the delicate door adjustment process. It often involves repeated gentle movements to get the door just right.
- Never use a screw hole if it is damaged. Trying to make do with a stripped screw hole won’t work as the screw will not grip the surrounding material. Make sure to repair damaged screw holes first.
Final Look – A Well-Fitting Door
With a few simple tweaks, a little time and patience, your front door can be operating like it did when it was brand new. Remember, movement over time is expected due to weather and usage and regular care and maintenance is key to your front door looking good and lasting well.
Doorstation external front doors are available in several styles, including traditional, cottage and modern designs. Complement your entrance with a quality front door from Doorstation. If you’re unsure which door style or finish to choose for your home, contact the team for some friendly advice. Doors are our business, and we’re experts on every type. Whether it’s folding, glazed, back or sliding we have expert knowledge and experience to hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hinges be adjusted on an aluminium door?
Yes. Aluminium door hinges can certainly be adjusted. Using a 5mm Allen key, the screws can be tightened and replaced in the same way as you would on a wooden door.
How can I adjust the hinges on a folding door?
Using an Allen key, locate the hinge adjustment point which is usually a screw at the top hinge or a bolt on the hinge itself and turn the screw clockwise to raise the door, and counter-clockwise to lower it.
