Cardboard Hinges
By: Amanda Campbell
Updated: September 1, 2011
Tools:
Wood Shims
Screw Driver
Small piece of cardboard
Usually, a door sticks because it's sagging in the opening and rubbing against the frame, but here are some quick tips for finding the problem and fixing it.
First, pull the door open and look for worn spots along its upper edge and near the top of the latch-side jamb - this vertical part of the door frame on the open side. Loose upper-hinge screws are a very common culprit. But before you try to tighten them, shove a wooden shim beneath the open door on the latch side to support its weight. Then snug down the screws in the door and frame, remove the shim and close the door.
If the door still rubs, it's probably out of alignment. So to fix that, remove only the bottom-hinge screws driven into the side jamb. Cut a piece of non-corrugated cardboard the same size as the hinge leaf and slip it behind the leaf. Then reinstall the screws. The cardboard backing will move the bottom edge of the door slightly toward the latch-side jamb and tip the top edge away from it.
If the top edge rubs against the head jamb - this horizontal frame above the door, put cardboard behind the upper hinge to tilt the door down. That will also move the bottom edge away from the side jamb if it's rubbing down there.
Usually, a door sticks because it's sagging in the opening and rubbing against the frame, but here are some quick tips for finding the problem and fixing it.
First, pull the door open and look for worn spots along its upper edge and near the top of the latch-side jamb - this vertical part of the door frame on the open side. Loose upper-hinge screws are a very common culprit. But before you try to tighten them, shove a wooden shim beneath the open door on the latch side to support its weight. Then snug down the screws in the door and frame, remove the shim and close the door.
If the door still rubs, it's probably out of alignment. So to fix that, remove only the bottom-hinge screws driven into the side jamb. Cut a piece of non-corrugated cardboard the same size as the hinge leaf and slip it behind the leaf. Then reinstall the screws. The cardboard backing will move the bottom edge of the door slightly toward the latch-side jamb and tip the top edge away from it.
If the top edge rubs against the head jamb - this horizontal frame above the door, put cardboard behind the upper hinge to tilt the door down. That will also move the bottom edge away from the side jamb if it's rubbing down there.
Wood Shims
Screw Driver
Small piece of cardboard
Usually, a door sticks because it's sagging in the opening and rubbing against the frame, but here are some quick tips for finding the problem and fixing it.
First, pull the door open and look for worn spots along its upper edge and near the top of the latch-side jamb - this vertical part of the door frame on the open side. Loose upper-hinge screws are a very common culprit. But before you try to tighten them, shove a wooden shim beneath the open door on the latch side to support its weight. Then snug down the screws in the door and frame, remove the shim and close the door.
If the door still rubs, it's probably out of alignment. So to fix that, remove only the bottom-hinge screws driven into the side jamb. Cut a piece of non-corrugated cardboard the same size as the hinge leaf and slip it behind the leaf. Then reinstall the screws. The cardboard backing will move the bottom edge of the door slightly toward the latch-side jamb and tip the top edge away from it.
If the top edge rubs against the head jamb - this horizontal frame above the door, put cardboard behind the upper hinge to tilt the door down. That will also move the bottom edge away from the side jamb if it's rubbing down there.
Usually, a door sticks because it's sagging in the opening and rubbing against the frame, but here are some quick tips for finding the problem and fixing it.
First, pull the door open and look for worn spots along its upper edge and near the top of the latch-side jamb - this vertical part of the door frame on the open side. Loose upper-hinge screws are a very common culprit. But before you try to tighten them, shove a wooden shim beneath the open door on the latch side to support its weight. Then snug down the screws in the door and frame, remove the shim and close the door.
If the door still rubs, it's probably out of alignment. So to fix that, remove only the bottom-hinge screws driven into the side jamb. Cut a piece of non-corrugated cardboard the same size as the hinge leaf and slip it behind the leaf. Then reinstall the screws. The cardboard backing will move the bottom edge of the door slightly toward the latch-side jamb and tip the top edge away from it.
If the top edge rubs against the head jamb - this horizontal frame above the door, put cardboard behind the upper hinge to tilt the door down. That will also move the bottom edge away from the side jamb if it's rubbing down there.
