Why your door makes noise when you open it (and how to hush it)

Squeaky door giving you grief? Figure out why it's squeaking and how to fix it in our handy guide.



The screws joining the hinges to the door or the door frame can rattle when they come loose.

This is an easy problem to diagnose and fix. Check all the screws and tighten any that are loose. Your problem should quickly go away.

Are the hinges bent?

When hinges get bent, they can rub against each other. This rubbing of metal on metal can lead to an unpleasant squeaking or creaking sound.

To find out whether this is the noisy culprit, you'll need to remove the hinges to see if they're bent out of shape. If they are, you'll need to replace them.

The world of door hinges is surprisingly complex. You should be able to find a replacement hinge either by searching online or taking your bent hinge to a hardware shop. But if you're struggling, check out our door hinge guide.

Has the wood warped?

Old houses are always changing shape. This is primarily because changes in humidity can cause wood to warp. In the case of doors, this can create friction between the door and the frame – friction that makes a noise.

To fix warped wood, your first port of call is to sand it down. If this doesn't work, you may need to get the door replaced. Modern door materials won't warp – so it's well worth the investment.

If you can't afford a replacement door, consider getting a humidifier or dehumidifier to control the humidity in your home. 

Is the weatherstripping worn?

When your door's weatherstripping gets worn away, it doesn't just make a noise – it also leads to drafts. These, in turn, can lead you to spend too much money on your heating bills.

Replacing old or worn weatherstripping is a relatively easy job. Look up a DIY tutorial and your problem could be gone in a matter of hours.

Is the door misaligned?

Sometimes, the noise from your door is because of structural misalignment. This could be because of loose screws – in which case, you know what to do. But it could also be that the door is hanging too low in its frame and scraping the floor.

In this situation, you can either adjust the hinges or plane the bottom of the door. This is a slightly more complex affair than tightening the screws. If you're a dab hand at DIY, you can certainly do it yourself.

If, however, you think it's more trouble than it's worth, it could be time to get a replacement door. This is where we can help.

Get a replacement door

A replacement door is a big deal. After all, this is an object you'll probably open and close thousands of times.

At Calder Windows, we provide a wide range of high-quality doors in various styles and materials. We also offer plenty of choice when it comes to door glass and door furniture – handles, knobs, numbers and letterboxes.

How do you stop your doors squeaking in the first place?

So far, we've looked at fixing the problem. But how can you prevent it altogether?

Your best bet is to lubricate the door hinges two or three times a year. This removal of dust and debris will drastically reduce the chances of a squeaky door.

You can also invest in door hinges made out of rust-resistant materials such as brass or stainless steel.

Finally, you can invest in a composite door that won't warp in the frame.

There's no escaping the fact that noisy doors are a nuisance. That doesn't mean, however, that you're stuck with them for good. We hope this article helps you fix the problem or stop it happening in the first place.

Are you looking for a replacement composite door in the West Yorkshire area? Get in touch with Calder Windows today for a quick, competitive quote.