It Just Won't Close! Your Guide to Fixing an Interior Door

Does your door fail to stay shut despite you swinging at the knob for ten minutes to ensure that it wouldn't 'magically' reopen again? Well, for starters, you're not alone — the door not staying put is a rather frequent occurrence in homes and offices that happens due to a misalignment between the striker plate and the latch. Here's a guide to fixing an interior door that won't latch as effortlessly as you need for it too:

What is the Latching Mechanism?

A latch is a mechanical hardware that fastens doors and ensures they stay closed until the knob is turned. It makes use of a fastener to attach two originality separated surfaces. Firstly, it consists of a cylinder that's driven through the door. Secondly, the latch mechanism has a spring inserted to retract itself from the mortise plate or striker plate to open the door.

 

Simple, isn't it? But what may be the trouble with a mechanism so microscale?

Identify the Problem

What's it that's keeping your door from shutting properly? It could be a sagging or elevated striker plate, loose hinges that hinder the door's movement, or a latch that sits way too low in the mortise plate.  

Get Started on the Solution

Problem #1: Striker Plate

The latch sitting too low on the striker plate creates problems when locking the door. Try lowering the plate by cutting out a lower edge to ensure the latch fits perfectly in between.

Problem #2: Hinges

Loose hinges tend to cause sagging at the door, which is why you want to try tightening the screws on the hinges first. Note: the screws can only be so tight as they can affect the plumbing of the door and level measurements as well.

Problem #3: Latch

Ensure that the latch hole doesn't overlap the previous screw hole. If you can't avoid that today, prep the region with putty to fill in the holes. However, if that doesn't solve the problem, you may need to remove the striker plate altogether to replace it with one that accommodates the latch better.

Should I Replace the Door?

Well, there are times when you might have to take more serious action than intended. If all else fails, you'll have to go in with a door replacement service. Answer the following questions with yes or a no:

1. Has opening or closing the door become a constant workout for you?

2. Is your door giving visible signs of being compromised structurally due to the dings and rust?

3. Do the multiple panes of glass have moisture in between them?

4. Does your door display signs of weathering, warping, and cracking?

5. Do you keep a cloth underneath the door to prevent the transfer of heat?

6. Has your door been damaged by water or insects in the past?

If most of your answers are YES, you should replace the door.  

Why Choose a Glass Door?

Whether you're undertaking a door replacement project for your office or your home, it's best to opt for glass doors for both. Contrary to popular belief about how difficult it is to keep these babies clean, glass doors are fairly easy to clean and maintain in both residential and commercial settings. With just a soft fabric, the fingerprints, dirt, and dust on the glass surface can be wiped clean. Plus, what stains could ever stand against glass?

 

The reason why glass doors are gaining popularity is that they allow natural light to spill inside the house, helping you save on energy costs. They're also a great alternative for making a home feel more spacious and encouraging collaborative work within the office.

About EcoView Doors in the (Two) States

EcoView-WDS is a leading fenestration in Pensacola, FL, and Daphne, AL, offering services for windows and doors. This factory-direct replacement windows and door provider combines vinyl frames, SolarFlect™ Low-E Insulating Glass, and multiple pane glass to offer enhanced energy efficiency (of up to 30 percent), which contributes to greater savings on energy consumption bills. These are impact-resistant windows and doors that keep the interiors safe even during the worst of hurricanes. Their installation methods for windows and doors have been tried and tested to protect the property from wind, water, and other external damages.

The company operates under the title of EcoView Doors, which offers quality door replacement services in Pensacola, Florida, and Daphne, Alabama. They're keen on providing replacement services for steel doors and fiberglass doors.

Why Choose Steel for Exterior Door?

When you hear steel, you're automatically reassured that there sure is going to be a lot of security in the play. Steel doors are an excellent choice for exterior doors because they're durable, easy to maintain, block out noise from the outsides, can be customized on a budget, and most importantly, are highly energy efficient. This is because steel is thick and protective, which prohibits the transfer of heat.

Why Choose Fiberglass for Exterior Door?

Fiberglass can withstand extreme weather conditions while resisting the urge to rot, dent, or warp! They're very strong, highly durable, and refrain from absorbing any moisture at all. Exterior doors made from fiberglass ensure that the upkeep is easy and minimal even in the worst of weather (talk about being impact resistant during hurricanes in America)! Moreover, they don't compromise the visual appeal of the house or office as they have the most versatile finishes, from acing the look of real wood to choosing a smooth texture, there's no color you won't find.

Get a free quote for your remodeling project that involves the replacement of your exterior doors in Pensacola, Florida, and Daphne, Alabama. Or consult a PRO-Advisor at EcoView-WDS for financing your doors.