Adjusting Exterior Door Gap

Adjusting hinges on doors with big gaps.

Adjusting exterior door gap.

This video shows how to fix when the door clearan. Open the hinge side gap by spreading the hinges. Reset the door so that it is level and plumb. Determine which hinges need adjusting.

I don t mind the top space being slightly larger than the side spaces as long as the spaces are consistent. Tightening hinges so your door closes. Hinge shims close the exterior door and look for the largest gap around the door. If the problem is the opposite that the gap between the frame and door on the hinge side is too large chop the hinge deeper into the door and or frame to close the gap slightly try keeping them flush if possible so start by chopping in the one that sits most proud if at all.

Adjust the gap by bending the hinges. If the sun isn t shining brightly enough against. I ve seen shims used behind the hinge leaf to adjust the gap but bending the hinge takes less time. There should be an even gap across the top and down the latch side.

I can widen the gap in small increments. Remember that when the gap is adjusted on one side it affects the gap on the other side as well. There are two ways to adjust the gap between the slab and the hinge jamb on a prehung door. The extra room allows for future settlement and adjustment.

Open the door and place a wooden block or. Check the gap between the unhinged side of your door and the. Often you will see that the door on the hinge side is tighter against the frame at the bottom of the door. Check that the stud walls on either side are plumb before you get into bigger issues.

The quick way is bending the hinge barrels over with an adjustable wrench. For example if your door hinges are on the left side of your door and the gaps. If you have a large gap at the bottom of your door that may be helping the door to stay plumb. Shim it and nail it and hang the trim.

Strike adjustments if the gap along the side of your door is so large that the latch won t catch or barely catches adjusting the strike can reduce the gap to ensure proper operation. It should be about an eighth of an inch and be consistent.