Carpentry · 4 min read

    Why your door keeps sticking (and how to fix it)

    Sticking doors are usually settled hinges or seasonal swelling. Here's how to diagnose and fix it.

    1. Identify where it's catching

    Close the door slowly and watch the gap. If it sticks at the top, hinges have probably dropped. If it sticks down one edge, it's swelling or alignment.

    2. Tighten or pack the hinges first

    Most sticking doors are fixed with a longer hinge screw or a small cardboard packer behind the hinge — before you reach for a plane.

    3. Plane only as a last resort

    If you must remove material, take it off the hinge edge (not the strike) so the gap stays consistent. Sand smooth and re-prime any exposed timber.

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