Door Repair or Door Replacement: Which is Right for Me?

Your front door is an essential barrier between the outside world and the safe haven of your home. When things start going wrong, it’s important to make the right decision; Replace your door with a brand new one, or repair the damage that’s done.

As these doors are the main entryway to a home, they may wear down over time. Timber doors will especially wear down. Deciding whether you need to replace or simply repair your door will depend on the type of door you own and the issues that you’re having. 

Before we decide whether you need to replace or repair your door, we’ll look at the issue that could signal that your door needs attention. 

Check out our article on repairing hollow-core doors here

Signs That Your Door Needs Attention

If you notice any changes in the operation of your external door, it is worth considering taking action. These are some of the first signs that show something is wrong. 

• Your door is swelling or sticking
• Hinges are noisy or loose
• The latch doesn’t line up
• You notice draughts or light around the door
• You notice surface damage or water marks
• Energy bills increase

How to Decide Between Replacement and Repair

Oftentimes when issues pop up with doors, they can easily be fixed without replacing. Especially if it’s early on in its lifespan and involves cosmetic issues or hardware replacement

You can most likely repair your door if it’s facing:

• Cosmetic issues: scratches, peeling paint, small dents, minor veneer lifting, or faded finishes) hardware issues, etc. Hardware can be replaced, and any other cosmetic issues can easily be fixed. 
• Hardware issues: loose handles, stiff locks, misaligned latches, loose hinges, faulty multi point lock (if the door itself is still straight), seals are worn, etc.
• Minor alignment problems: slight sticking, small gaps, threshold needs adjusting, etc.

These types of issues usually don’t affect permanent performance, can be adjusted, and are caused by hinge movements and are not structural failures of the doors. 

You can also ask yourself a few questions to determine if a replacement can be taken place:

• Will this repair give the door another 5-10 years of life? If yes, then repair, if no, then it may be time to replace
• How much does the repair cost? If a repair costs more than 50% of a replacement, then it may be time to replace. 
• How does the frame look? If the frame is rotted, twisted, or separating from the wall, it’s time to replace. 

The material of the door will also play a large role in whether you can repair or replace your door

Timber:

• Repair if the damage is cosmetic.
• Replace if there’s structural issues like deep rot or major warping.

uPVC:

• Repair if there are hardware or slight alignment problems. 
• Replace if the frame is warped, the plastic is cracked, or it’s extremely discoloured and brittle.

Aluminium:

• Repair if there are cosmetic or hardware issues.
• Replace if the frame is bent or there are cracks in the thermal brakes.

How to Repair Your Door

So you’ve decided you just need a repair, huh? That’s great news for you and your wallet! Your plan of action will depend on the damage to the door. The next step is to assess the damage on your door and create your plan. The next question is, can you DIY this repair or should you call in the professionals?

DIY vs. Professional Door Repairs

Your door itself may not need excessive repairs. It may not need replacing either, but this doesn’t mean to say that you have the necessary skills required to undertake the task.

Costs can often be avoided with DIY repairs on your door. However, if you do not have the competency or confidence to repair your door, then you may be doing more harm than good to your door.

You Can Most Likely DIY Your Repair If:

• You’re Dealing With minor alignment issues: These can be an easy fix. If your door is slightly sticking, the latches are slightly misaligned, or hinges need tightening, then grab your tools and try it out. These are easy corrections with minimal risk of making things worse. 

• Basic hardware needs replaced: Everything from hinges, hands, latches, and simple locks. Most of these are designs to be homeowner friendly.

• There’s cosmetic damage: Scratches, chips, or anything involving repainting, sanding or fixing minor veneer lifts can easily be done at home. Because these are cosmetic and not structural, there’s a low chance that you can cause more harm. 

• Replacing weather sealing: This is usually done if you notice draughts or torn rubber along the door. Weathersealing, and other climate/winter-proofing materials are cheap to buy and very easy to install. 

• Adjusting a uPVC door: There are simple fixes you can make with a uPVC door – adjusting the keep places, tightening hinges, and improving the compression on seals. These can all be done with a screwdriver or allen key. 

You Should Call a Professional If: 

• The damage is on a fire door: Fire doors need to meet specific legal requirements and DIY repairs void any compliance.

• There’s a mulit-point locking system involved in the repair: If there is gearbox damage, the mechanism is jammed, or the locking points aren’t engaging, then a professional will need to have a look. These are complex systems and can easily be broken if handled incorrectly.

• There’s anything related to security involved in the repair: This can include external deadbolts, reinforcement plates, smart lock integration, door strengthening, etc. Any security failures can have serious consequences for the safety of your home and should be done by a professional.

If you feel nervous about making these adjustments on your own, or you’re still having difficulties with your door, then it may be time to hire a professional. The investment in someone who knows what they’re doing can give you the peace of mind you need to finally enjoy your doors again.

How To Replace Your Door

Replacing your door is simple! In this case you’ll need a professional to remove your old door and replace the new one. We make this easy at Aspire! We’ll help you every step of the way. From choosing the right door to installation. 

To get started with replacing your door, have a look through our range, or get in touch with one of our professionals today!

Should I fix or replace my door?

If you are experiencing any issues with your front door, then it is important to identify what the problem is. When you understand the problem, you will be better placed to know whether it can be fixed or needs replacing.

Door repairs are usually a much cheaper job than an entire door replacement. In most cases, door repairs are easy to undertake and do not require the aid of a professional. There are instances, however, where a door repair may not work, and a whole new front door may be required.

• 1. Level of Damage

Typically, the biggest factor when it comes to door repairs or front door replacements is how much damage the door in question has sustained.

There are many factors that can contribute to a front door’s condition. Timber doors are susceptible to warping in changing weather and can affect the door frame too. Heavy usage over time will also affect how efficiently a door operates. Hinges, locks, and other hardware become stiff and worn, and overuse can weaken the materials of the door’s components.

Frames are one of the most likely areas of your front door to require repairing or replacing. As with doors, these are made of timber so they can warp and cause your front door to stick or jam. Not only is this a nuisance, but it can also impose on the external security of your property. Any issues with your door frame should be addressed immediately.

Wooden frames can be sanded down to shape with ease. This should be done in moderation before you seek the help of a professional, so you don’t compromise the security and durability of your frame.

Minor damages can, and should, be taken care of immediately. This will reduce the risk of much larger issues from occurring.

• 2. Budget

One of the major advantages of door repairs over a full replacement is the cost. In most cases, it can be much more cost-effective to repair your door, but sometimes a new door is essential. Repairing windows and doors can involve many different costs depending on what exactly needs doing, and what materials are required.

By identifying every aspect of the repair job, you can estimate how much the job is going to cost. Compare this to the cost of a new door and you are able to decide what option may fit your budget best.

Replacing your door can seem a very straightforward investment for your property. It is important to remember the additional costs of additional hinges, locks, and other materials, however.

If you do not feel competent enough to replace or repair the door yourself, you can also opt to hire a professional. These costs should be factored into your total spending. Though a professional will charge a considerable amount compared to a DIY job, you can rest easy knowing your door has been installed correctly, and with security in mind.

Cost is different for every person and every project. Your own budget can wildly influence the decisions you make when it comes to repairing or replacing your front doors.

• 3. Materials Used

There are so many styles of doors available on the market. Some doors will cost more to repair than others due to their manufacturing process.

There are many doors on the market that are made from different materials; wood, glass, fiberglass, vinyl, uPVC – the list goes on. Some of these are more expensive than others, as you may have noticed when looking at new doors and windows for your property.

Certain doors are easier to repair than others. A timber door may need sanding down, or a crack/chip might require filling. These are easy enough tasks to undertake at the weekend, with little knowledge. Other doors, such as manufactured fire doors or composite doors will be much harder to fix, if at all possible. Their construction is so particular that a simple door repair will cost a fortune.

Thankfully, this style of door is less likely to need repairs over its lifespan. This style is designed with durability in mind, and with the right maintenance can last for decades.

• 4. Skills Required

Your door itself may not need excessive repairs. It may not need replacing either, but this doesn’t mean to say that you have the necessary skills required to undertake the task.

As established, costs can often be avoided with DIY repairs on your door. However, if you do not have the competency or confidence to repair your door, then you may be doing more harm than good to your door.

Botched jobs can leave your door being less secure, as you may do more damage than good. What may seem a simple weekend project can in fact leave you with additional costs after an expensive call to a local handyman.