Old House Journal

How to Diagnose (and Fix) a Door

The older the house, the more likely it is that at least one door will bind, scrape the floor, or refuse to fully close. Causes for binding and sticking include paint buildup, seasonal expansion and contraction, loose hinges, or loosening of the joints between stiles and rails.

Like other historic elements in the house, treat the door with respect. Resist the urge to cut or plane any portion of the door, and make repairs that are both strong and that permit the door to continue to shrink and swell with seasonal changes. To

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Old House Journal

Old House Journal2 min read
Railroad Cart Coffee Tables
Ken and John Melchert own Harp Gallery, an antiques store in Kaukauna, Wisconsin [harpgallery.com]. When they came across old railroad hand carts ready for scrap, they felt they were too good to discard. The trolleys were used for transporting trunks
Old House Journal3 min read
Remedies For A Painted Fireplace
In houses of almost any age, it’s common to see masonry fireplaces coated with paint. Bringing back a painted masonry surface is devilishly hard. No one solution seems to work for all situations; success or failure is a matter of interpretation. Sure
Old House Journal1 min read
Removing Asbestos
Think long and hard before you take on DIY removal of siding that may contain asbestos. Intact asbestos siding on the house rarely presents a health threat. Start pulling and breaking it, though, and it begins to release fibers. Inhaling or ingesting

Related Books & Audiobooks