🚪 Door Not Closing Properly? Here’s What Could Be Wrong
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Let’s face it — doors are one of those things we never think twice about. We open them, close them, walk through them, and rarely stop to notice them... until they stop working properly. Suddenly, that once-smooth swing turns into an annoying push, pull, or shoulder shove just to get it shut.
If you’ve found yourself wrestling with your door lately — maybe it’s sticking, scraping, or leaving a gap when it’s supposed to be closed — you’re not alone. At BlueWood Handyman, we’ve spent over 30 years fixing just about every type of door issue imaginable across Barnet, North London, and surrounding areas.
Let’s walk through the top reasons your door might not be closing properly, and what you can do about it — including when it’s time to call in the pros.
1. 🔩 Hinge Problems — The Quiet Culprit
Loose or sagging hinges are one of the most common reasons doors start acting up.
Over time, the constant opening and closing can cause hinges to shift out of alignment or work themselves loose. If your door feels heavy to open, scrapes the floor, or hangs unevenly, your hinges are likely to blame. Timber doors are especially susceptible, as they tend to expand and contract more than composite or uPVC options.
🛠️ Quick Fix (If You’re Handy):
You can try tightening the screws with a screwdriver. But be warned — if the screw holes have been worn out or the wood has split, it might not hold for long. Also, check for rusty or bent hinge pins, which can affect the swing of the door.
🔧 BlueWood’s Fix:
We professionally reinforce or replace hinges, repair worn-out screw holes using specialist wood filler or dowel inserts, and precisely realign the door. We use jigs and power tools for perfect positioning, ensuring the door operates as it should — quietly and smoothly.
2. 🌡️ Door Swelling or Warping — Blame the Weather!
Timber is a natural material, which means it responds to changes in temperature and humidity. That beautiful solid wood door in your home? It might swell during humid summer months or shrink in cold, dry winters. This can cause the door to stick at the sides or top, or in some cases, even warp out of shape entirely.
You may notice the latch no longer lines up with the strike plate, or that you need to lift the door slightly to close it.
🛠️ Quick Fix:
Some homeowners reach for a hand plane or sandpaper to shave a bit off the edge. While this might solve the problem in the short term, over-trimming can lead to permanent damage, especially if the door later shrinks and leaves an unsightly gap.
🪚 BlueWood’s Fix:
We assess the extent of swelling or warping before taking action. We may trim the door slightly, but always in a way that preserves its integrity and alignment. We also apply protective sealants and finishes to reduce future warping — and if the damage is extensive, we can replace the door with one better suited to your property’s needs.
3. 🏠 Settling Frames — It Might Not Be the Door at All
If your home is more than a few decades old — and many in North London are — it’s likely the building has shifted slightly over time. This is completely normal due to ground movement, age, or previous construction work. Unfortunately, even a small shift in the door frame can throw everything out of whack.
You might notice:
The top corner of the door doesn’t align
Gaps are larger on one side than the other
Latches don’t catch the strike plate properly
🛠️ Quick Fix:
This kind of problem usually can’t be fixed with a screwdriver. You’ll need an experienced eye to assess whether the frame has warped, cracked, or moved.
🪛 BlueWood’s Fix:
We perform a full inspection of the frame and surrounding structure, check for settling issues, and provide a solution that could include realignment, packing the frame, or in some cases, replacing it entirely. With our precision tools and experience, we restore your door to smooth, secure operation — often without needing to replace the whole unit.
4. 🧰 Quick Fixes vs. Long-Term Solutions
We get it — when something’s off with your door, the first instinct is to grab a hammer or screwdriver and “sort it out.” And sometimes, that might work. But more often than not, DIY door repairs can cause more harm than good, especially if you’re not sure what’s actually causing the issue.
From over-trimming to damaging hinges or even worsening a warped frame, it’s easy to make a small problem a bigger one.
✅ Why Choose BlueWood Handyman?
30+ years of construction and carpentry experience
City & Guilds qualified carpenters
Professional-grade power tools, jigs, and dust extraction for clean, precise work
Friendly, locally based team in Barnet with a passion for quality craftsmanship
We leave your space neat and tidy, every single time
🛠️ Real Solutions for Real Doors
Whether your door just needs a slight tweak or a full replacement, BlueWood Handyman is ready to help. We offer a full range of interior and exterior timber door services, including:
Door hanging & rehanging
Hinge and frame repairs
Door trimming and resizing
Lock replacement & upgrades
Fire-rated door installations
Bi-fold and double door fitting
📍 Based in Barnet, Proudly Serving North London
We love working with homeowners and businesses across Barnet, Finchley, Muswell Hill, Enfield, and beyond. Our team is committed to providing high-quality, no-fuss carpentry services that truly make a difference in your space.
If you’ve been struggling with a door that won’t close, don’t just put up with it — let us take care of it properly.
📞 Get in Touch Today!
Ready to restore your door to its former glory? Whether it’s a simple hinge repair or a full frame refit, we’ve got the tools, talent, and time-tested experience to get it sorted.
👉 Call us now to book your door repair
👉 Or send us a message via our website enquiry form
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for helpful DIY tips and behind-the-scenes footage!
Say goodbye to slamming, jamming, or stubborn doors — and hello to a smooth, satisfying close.
BlueWood Handyman’s got your back (and your door).