How to Adjust a Door that Won’t Close Properly

Few issues are more irritating than a door that just won’t shut the way it should. Maybe it’s giving you trouble at home or causing delays at work. In any case, a misbehaving door can affect your daily life and safety. In this guide, the door repair specialists at DELET will walk through the most common reasons why your door is not closing properly. You’ll learn how to inspect critical parts, make basic adjustments, and know when to call in the professionals.

How to Fix Doors that Won’t Close

When a door doesn’t close fully or smoothly, something is out of balance. Before attempting any fix, evaluate each of these key components:

Sagging or loose hinges are often to blame when a door refuses to close properly. Start by tightening all screws on both the frame and door side using a screwdriver. If holes are stripped and screws keep turning, swap in longer 2-3” screws or reinforce them with wooden dowels or toothpicks and glue.

How to fix a door that won’t close at the bottom? Stand in front of the door and note whether it tilts or seems uneven. If it leans away from the latch side, place thin cardboard or a shim behind the lower hinge, or slightly raise the top hinge. These small adjustments help re-center the door in its frame.

A door that drags or makes noise when it opens or closes could be hurt by friction. Use a silicone-based lubricant on hinges and moving parts, then test the door again. This application can allow you to attain a silent and smooth closure.

If the latch doesn’t catch in its slot, the strike plate likely needs adjustment. Loosen its screws and shift it slightly until the latch fits snugly, then retighten. This requires less effort and helps the door fully latch.

Added seals and door sweeps are great for energy savings, but if they press too firmly against the door, they can prevent a full closure. Trim or reposition them as needed.

Why won’t my door close all the way? Look at the space around the edges of the closed door. Uneven gaps may indicate hinge or frame issues. Adjust hinge mortises or the strike plate to even everything out. By regularly checking these areas, you can often restore proper door performance. You can typically tighten, lubricate, and minor-adjust your way to fixing most problems.

When to Call in Professionals

If your door still is not closing properly after trying these steps, it may be time to contact a professional like DELET. Our team brings specific tools and parts that DIYers don’t have access to. If it’s a warped commercial steel door, an out-of-square frame, or a residential glass replacement, DELET experts have the training to diagnose and resolve even complex issues. Calling us early can save you hours of trial-and-error and minimize disruption to your home or business. Explore our services and request an available technician today for prompt, dependable door repairs.

Final Thoughts

Are you tired of squeaky doors disrupting your peace? Delet specializes in commercial and residential door repair services across Toronto and the GTA, bringing over 20 years of expertise to your doorstep. Contact Delet today and silence those squeaks for good!

A door that won’t shut right can be more than a nuisance. It can compromise energy efficiency, security, and flow of movement in your home. Most issues stem from adjustable parts like hinges, strike plates, and seals, and can be fixed with basic tools and a few minutes of attention. However, when the problem is deeper, such as warped frames, heavy commercial hardware, or critical access systems, it’s smart to call in a professional. Licensed door repairmen offer real experience and know how to fix a door that won’t close.

Regular inspection and timely tuning help keep doors working at their best. With a clear understanding of what’s going wrong, you’ll spend less time wrestling with a reluctant door, and more time moving though it with ease.

FAQ

In Ontario, what is a standard door size?

The standard height for all doors, whether interior, exterior, residential, or commercial, is 80 inches. For interior doors of residential buildings, such as for bedrooms, the standard width is 30 inches, whereas for exterior doors, like the front door, it is 34 inches. For the doors of commercial buildings, the standard is a minimum width of 34 inches.

Is it okay for a bedroom door to be 30 inches wide?

Absolutely! A width of 30 inches is standard for bedroom doors with smaller and larger varieties depending on the size of the room as a whole.

Is it standard for front doors to be 36 inches wide?

Not necessarily. The standard for the width of front doors is actually 34 inches. However, that is just a starting point and having a front door that is 36 inches wide is also rather common nowadays. In fact, most prefabricated doors are available in that size so it is easy to get a front door that is 36 inches as long as it fits your house’s door opening.

What is the size of a standard door for public buildings?

For public, commercial buildings, the size of a standard door, whether interior or exterior, is 34 inches wide and 80 inches tall.

What is the minimum width of a commercial building door should be to meet accessibility requirements?

To meet accessibility requirements, all doors in commercial buildings need to be a minimum width of 34 inches. This is the size that at the very least provides enough space for wheelchair users to easily enter and exit the building without obstructions.

Contact Delet Door Systems Today!

Easy Booking, Expert Solutions

Schedule & Get a Quote

Book your service easily online or by phone and receive a transparent, no-obligation quote.

Professional On-Site Service

Our certified technicians arrive at your location, equipped to handle all repair needs efficiently.

Quality Assurance & No Mess

After the repair, we conduct a thorough inspection and clean-up, ensuring your complete satisfaction.

Delet Door Systems © 2025