How To Fix Gap Between Door Jamb And Floor
Everyone who’s ever lived in an older home knows about the infamous door gap issue. If you’re not familiar with what this means, it’s basically a small space between the bottom of your door and the floor. It doesn’t take much to notice that something isn’t quite right, especially if you have carpeting or unfinished floors. The good news is that fixing your door gap is a pretty simple job. Once you know what needs to be done, it won’t take you more than an hour to complete. Here are the different ways you can fix the gap between your door jamb and floor.
Check the Hinges
First, make sure that both the door and the hinges are in good condition. If either of these two things isn’t, it will be very difficult to fix the gap. If either of the door hinges are loose, they need to be tightened. If they’re damaged, you’ll need to replace them. The hinges on the opposite side of the door need to be in good condition as well. If they’re loose or damaged, they need to be replaced. If you’ve taken care of the hinges and they’re still not closing correctly, it may be time to adjust the door jamb.
Tighten The Door Jamb
If the door is closing correctly, but there’s still a gap between the bottom of the door and the floor, it’s likely the door jamb is too loose. The door jamb is the part of the frame that attaches to the wall and the bottom of the door. It’s important that this part be nice and tight if you want a nice, even gap between the door and the floor. To tighten the door jamb, you’ll need a hammer and a nail. If the gap is very small, you may not even need a nail. Simply use the hammer to tap the door jamb in more tightly. You may need to do this on both sides of the door jamb. Be careful not to hammer the wood in too far. It should still be able to move when the door is open and closed. If the gap is larger, you’ll probably need to hammer a nail into the frame and door jamb to close the gap.
Install New Flooring
If the gap between your door and floor is uneven, it’s possible that your flooring isn’t level. If the flooring is uneven, the door will close unevenly, too. To fix this problem, you’ll need to remove your current flooring and level the subfloor. Install new flooring once the subfloor has been leveled. When you install new flooring, be sure to take care to cut it perfectly level. Cut both ends of the flooring at a 45-degree angle. If your flooring was already level, but there’s still a gap between the door and the floor, you may need to shim the door jamb.
Add Shims
If the door is level, but there’s still a gap between the bottom of the door and the floor, you may need to add shims to the door jamb. There are a few different ways you can do this. You can add another shim below the door jamb, or you can add a shim behind the door jamb. If the gap is very small, you may be able to just tap the shim in with a hammer. For a larger gap, you may need to drive a nail into the door jamb and shim. If the gap is uneven, you may need to add shims on both sides of the door jamb. Before you tap the shim into place, you’ll probably want to cover the door jamb with a piece of wood. You can use a scrap piece of wood, or you can use shim stock.
Adjust The Strike
A strike is what holds the door in place when it’s closed. The strike may be too high, which can cause a gap between the bottom of the door and the floor. If the strike is too high, you can lower it by removing the strike and drilling it lower. If the strike is too low, you can raise it. You’ll need to remove the strike and then replace it raised higher. If the strike is adjustable, you can raise or lower it to get it in the correct position. If the strike isn’t adjustable, you may need to replace it with a new one.
Add A Beveled Edge
If all of the above options don’t work for you, you can always add a beveled edge to the bottom of the door. This will give the illusion that the door is closer to the floor. To add a beveled edge to your door, you’ll need a table saw or a power miter saw, a pencil, a ruler, and a chisel. First, take the door off its hinges and set it on the ground. Measure the distance from the top of the door to the floor, then mark that distance on the door with a pencil. Next, use the table saw or power miter saw to cut a beveled edge along the bottom of the door. Use the pencil marks as a guide, then chisel away the excess wood. Once the beveled edge has been cut, you can reattach the door to the hinges.
Conclusion
You may have to try a few of these methods before you find the one that works best for you. Each type of door gap issue is unique and may require a different solution. Once you’ve fixed the gap between your door and floor, you’ll be able to walk on your floors without worrying about tripping. You’ll also be able to keep dirt and small pests out of your home by sealing up your door gap.
