How to Fix a Split Door Frame
Introduction
The frames around your garage door are made of two pieces of wood that join together in the center. The bottom rail is a single piece, but the top rail joining them at the center can be joined with either glue or nails. When they shrink and crack over time, it causes a split frame – also called a loose rail. If you’re having trouble opening your garage door, chances are there’s a split in one of your framing rails. Many homeowners put off repairing this problem because of how expensive it seems as if replacing the entire frame would be less expensive than the professional labor to repair it for them. Today I will be discussing how to fix a split door frame.
Common Issues With Door Frames
There are many subtle issues and some major ones that may affect a door’s ability to open and close properly. For example, broken hinges/hinge pins can be an issue, but the most common problems occur when the frame itself becomes damaged or warped. If your door is in need of replacement, it is important to choose a material that will best suit your needs. If you are planning on replacing an existing door with one of the same size and style, you should be able to find a replacement without any issues.
It is important to understand how these things happen before you decide what kind of help you need with your frame to get the right advice for yourself from a maintenance specialist who can visit your home. If you live in a different area to the one where you were born, you may find that your parents do not have the same kind of help with their frames that they used to have. If you need to talk to someone about this, you can use our Frame Maintenance Service.
Damage occurs over time. In terms of wood-destroying bugs and pests, if they aren’t already inside a building, then they will be looking at getting in through any gaps in its structure – meaning this includes the areas where doors meet frames! If there are tears within the framing, the problem will get worse. All of this will eventually lead to the door frame weakening, developing cracks, and breaking.
It is important to check regularly for damage and to take action if necessary. You can use detergents for cleaning, or you may need to have a professional fix it up for you. Damage caused by climate changes and physical impact/abuse from people or animals is also common – especially in older properties. Roof repair costs will vary depending on the amount of damage and what needs to be done to fix it. You may need a new roof, or you may only need to have a few tiles replaced.
Then there are things like warping, rippling (also known as bowing), shrinkage, and bulges that can be due to construction mistakes or other problems with the original materials used when it was built – rarely do these things pop up after everything has been properly installed. However, they still happen sometimes! These problems can sometimes be fixed without replacing the entire door, but for some of them, you may end up needing a new door.
Step-wise Guide on How to Fix a Split Door Frame
- Remove the door frame by removing the knobs and hinges of the door frame.If you do not know about the removal of hinges, search online for the best process for removing hinges and knobs from your doors.
- Take a 3/8 inch drill bit fitted with an extension piece down through the top hole of the frame (the side closest to you). Drill down until it reaches about 1-2 inches deep in the bottom hole of the frame (the side farther away from you), which will eventually reach out to meet up with its opposite hole, creating an opening for wire mesh screening or for screen material which can be used to patch up any holes in your original wood door frame.
- Get a piece of molding, creating an arch over the two holes you have just drilled out. Ensure that this molding is filled with wood putty and sanded down until it is smooth before painting it to match your door frame color when dry. If any visible gaps between the timber form your door frame as well as those formed by the molding or arch, then fill them up using wood putty and let it harden before sanding it down to create a smooth surface for painting.
- Paint the framed-in hole with color-matched paint until they blend seamlessly into each other without having too much contrast in terms of shade or tone of color from one another
- Finally, put back all your knobs and hinges to the frame once it has dried up, making sure that there are no loose ends at the top of your new DIY door.
- All you need now is to attach a plate with a handle to some thick wire on both sides of the door frame’s hole, making sure that they face each other when you close the door from the gap between them.
- There should be two plates attached to this wire which you can use as handles. You are done!You might have difficulty maintaining the look if there is too much space between the wood panels of your door frame without an arch or molding surrounding it because you will have cracks in these areas where dirt can get through to spoil its look. A coat of paint should help disguise the appearance of any cracks that might have occurred due to the frame being left unattended for such a long time.
Precautions While Performing How to Fix A Split Door Frame
- Before working on a door, make sure to test whether the hinges are attached with screws or staples. Use a screwdriver to remove them if they are of the first type and pliers of the second type.
- While fixing, keep the inner side of a door untouched as this area is rarely seen by anyone except you. It has to be cleaned from time to time, though.
- If it is difficult for you to disassemble your doors, get help from an expert craftsman who will know how to fix them in no time.
- If one half of a split door frame is fixed, nothing will happen if it opens completely because all stress comes off from the door bolts when that happens. However, if an attempt is made to open it beyond its limit in this condition, it may break the door bolt lock or snap off because of stress.
- If wood is very thick, make sure that you do not drill holes completely through them as that wood will fall and hit anyone who might be below it. Even while drilling such pieces with thin wall thicknesses, use soft bits to make things easier for yourself.
- A split door frame can also be fixed by splicing instead of nailing or screwing two adjacent sections together from either side of the crack once they have been
How to Repair Rotten French Doors
Remove the Door:
To begin the repair, you must first remove your French doors from their frame. Then, remove all hardware and work carefully.
If your door is made of wood, then simply use a crowbar to take it off the track and remove the hinges so that you will be able to move it easily. If there are nails in the frame, use a pry bar to remove the nails and then take off the door.
If you are taking out a glass door, you will most likely have to break it if it is too stuck. Use your hands and use gloves on both of them to don’t get hurt when handling broken pieces of glass.
Spread the Cracks:
Since you have removed the door, spread the cracks in the frame. This will allow a semi-permanent repair or keep it from spreading. If this is a simple crack, use wood filler that can be bought at any local home improvement store to seal the frame and prevent any more damage to your door. For larger cracks, you can use putty to fill up the gap.
Inject Glue:
There is another option to the above methods, and this alternative method should only be used if you have not used wood filler or putty to close up the gap.
Next, use epoxy glue (that can be bought at your local home improvement store) in the crack. Let it dry overnight. Use a paintbrush to spread the glue along with the split.
Clamp the Cracks Shut:
Now that you have put glue in the crack clamp, it shut. You can use at least two C-clamps to hold it in place while it dries. Hopefully, this will fix your door frame and make your door usable again.
Apply Your Paint:
After you have finished spreading it, use a paintbrush to cover up the crack completely with white primer, and then afterward coat over that with light blue or green paint (it covers it up better).
Clean-Up: You can clean up by sweeping and using a paintbrush to remove excess dust, dirt, or other materials.
Re-Hang the Door:
Finally, after you have done all these steps, re-hang the door and replace the hardware. It’s now ready to use again. If you want a permanent solution for your French doors that are rotting, then contact an experienced contractor who will be able to provide you with a solid wood frame or even fiberglass frame that won’t rot like your old one will.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is So Bad About Popcorn Ceilings?
Popcorn ceilings are ceilings that have been painted a light color to imitate popcorn. They were popular in the 1990s and early 2000s, but they are no longer in style.
There are several reasons why popcorn ceilings are no longer popular:
• They can be very difficult to clean.
• They may not look as good as other types of ceilings.
• They may not be energy-efficient.
Can You Repair a Split Door?
Yes, you can repair a split door. You will need to do a few things to repair a split door. The first thing is to clean the area where the door is split. It would help if you used a mild soap and water solution to clean the area and then dry it off.
Next, you will need to apply a sealant to the area where the door is split. This sealant will help keep moisture out of the door and will make it easier for you to fix the door.
The last step is to replace the damaged part of the door. You can purchase a new door or replace the damaged part of the door with an identical replacement part.
Can You Repair a Cracked Door Frame?
Yes, you can repair a cracked door frame. You will need to remove the door and the structure to do this. You will also need to use a unique adhesive designed for this type of repair. Once the glue is dry, you can put the door back together and reattach the hinges.
Conclusion
This method discussed above is best applied to solid timber door frames having thin sheets attached to them, and not those made up of one thick piece of wood because it may be hard for you to make an opening for your screen wire mesh even if you can drill out two holes in both sides of your door frame evenly spaced from each other but without hitting anything else behind the frame.
If this is what you find yourself facing, then go ahead and install some nice glass panels on your door instead so that no one can see inside when they pass by. I hope this article has helped me learn how to fix a split door frame. Thank you, and have a nice day!
You may read also – How to Cut a Metal Door Frame
Angela Ervin
Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.
