9 Ways to Keep your Front or Patio Door from Slamming
Door slamming can cause drama in an otherwise quiet home. Whether the door slam is from natural causes, or an angry teenager, preventing doors from slamming can positively impact your home environment.
Walking in and out of your house shouldn’t have to come with the fear of a disruptive noise or a damaged wall. Screen patio doors and heavy wooden doors are the most common culprits. Wondering how to stop doors from slamming is an understandable concern. Luckily, this issue can be solved in a variety of ways. Together we’ll explore two reasons why your external door may be slamming and 9 ways that you can solve this issue.
Why is my door slamming?
Understanding the source of the slamming is the first step. You’ll want to decide if it’s an issue with the door hardware, or if the slamming is a product of the environment. This will help guide you to know which approach to take when fixing the slamming door.
Airflow
Airflow or drafts in your house could be a reason that your door slams often. This often happens when a window is left open, causing strong air movements in the house and resulting in slamming doors.
If your doors are slamming because of airflow, then invest in items that will cushion the door frame – many of these are listed below
Old Doors
Old doors that haven’t been properly maintained have a tendency to slam shut. Old doors and door frames have a tendency to warp over time. If your front door is made of solid wood, or other heavy material, the door hinges may not hold the door completely vertical If the frame and door aren’t perfectly vertical, you may find that the door slams into the doorframe.
To stop a door from slamming in this scenario, you may have to replace the door hinges or the door entirely.
9 ways to keep your door from slamming
Luckily, there are loads of ways to stop the door from slamming shut that doesn’t involve replacing the door. With so many anti-door slam products found all over the internet, you’re sure to find one that solves your door slamming problem. Take a look below to learn about some of the best door hardware for preventing slamming.Â
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1. Replace the door hinges
This should be the first thing you check when trying to determine why your doors slam shut. If the hinges were properly installed and maintained over time, then you shouldn’t have to worry. But over time, the door’s hinges may tend to become worn over time and cause your door to slam into the door frame.
To make sure this isn’t the case, open your door 90 degrees, and place a levelling tool on top. If the levelling tool indicates that the door is not perfectly vertical, then begin by tightening the hinges. If this doesn’t solve the problem, then the door’s hinges may need to be changed completely.
2. Door seal or door sweep
A great way to stop your door from slamming is to use a door seal or a door sweep.
Door seals are fabric tubes that connect to the bottom of the door. They prevent door slamming by creating friction between the door and the floor. Not only do they prevent door slamming, but they can also help prevent drafts and improve insulation!
Door sweeps are similar in that they are installed on the bottom of the door, though don’t always reach the floor. You’ll often see door sweeps with bristles on the bottom. These can be used to prevent doors from slamming, though they may not work as efficiently as other products.
3. Anti-Slam Door Hinges
If you find that you need to replace your door’s hinges, then you may as well install anti-slam hinges.
These stop a door from slamming by slowing the speed at which a door can close, reducing the momentum and stopping the door from slamming shut.
Photo by loocmill on Shutterstock
4. Overhead Door Closer
Hydraulic door closers can be a great way to prevent door slamming. While expensive, this product will solve your door slamming problem instantly. These automatic door closers work by slowing the speed of the closing door using air pressure in a piston between the door’s edge and the door frame.
Many of these products allow you to manually adjust the pressure to suit your specific door.
Photo by MarinaTr on Shutterstock
5. felt pads
If your door is on the lighter side, you prevent it from slamming shut by sticking felt pads to the door frame. You can use the same felt pads that are used to keep furniture from scratching the floor. These felt pads typically come with self-adhesive, making them easy to apply without a professional.
Attach two felt pads above the handle and lock on the strike plate, and a few on the door frame. This should provide enough cushion to stop a door from slamming
You can typically find felt pads at any hardwood store, if you’re lucky, you may be able to pick them up at your local Tesco or Sainsburys.
6. Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is a fantastic multi-use door silencer. These strips act as buffers, keeping the door from slamming into the frame.
Weatherstripping, when properly installed, not only stops a door from slamming but also prevents drafts and helps to soundproof your front door.
Before installing, you’ll want to clean your door frame down with a cloth to remove any dirt and grime from inside the door frame. Once dried, cut the foam so that it measures the full length of the door from top to bottom then remove the adhesive covering and press it against the door frame to install it.
8. Door Guard
Door guards are a great way to keep internal doors from slamming shut. Because their function is to keep a door open, it doesn’t provide much security and so may not be the best option for an external door.
Door guards are popular for households with children, as it keeps small fingers from being crushed. They can also be used when there is a lot of traffic going through your These door guards typically look like a letter C and are made from plastic or foam. They work by hooking on to the door and keeping the door from closing completely.
9. Doorstop
Another temporary solution that can help with high traffic areas, or internal doors that slam shut. Door stops are typically made of plastic and are in the shape of a triangle. They are used specifically to keep a door open, rather than just keeping it from slamming shut.
To properly use a door stop, firmly push the wedge under the door until it won’t go any further. This will prevent the door from swinging closed to slam shut.
Door stoppers are a great option for keeping cool and creating airflow in your house on warm sunny days.Â
Bottom Line
Door slamming problems are personal to your door and your situation. Finding the cause of your door slamming will help you determine the best way to go about stopping it. But maintaining that sense of calm and peace in your home is worth it.Â
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