With summer fully upon us, and a heck of a heatwave going on, we’ve been finding a lot more people asking us about getting their uPVC, timber or composite doors repaired. And all for the same reason – the doors are sticking, or have become difficult to open.

Why is that happening? How do you stop it? And does it mean you need to replace your doors? We’ve got all the answers for you, and in most cases, you won’t need to replace a thing!

 

Why The Doors Are Sticking

Door sticking is most commonly caused by expansion of the door, which can be caused a few things, depending on the material your door is made from. uPVC doors can swell and expand in the heat, and the same is true for many types of composite doors. Timber tends to swell more with moisture (and some composite doors do contain timber), and humid weather can bring a double whammy of heat and ambient moisture to swell your doors with!

Swelling in heat/humidity isn’t anything you need to be worried about, as this is a natural process that affects these materials. Your doors aren’t broken, they’re just too hot! And there are a few easy fixes you can do to get things working more smoothly again.

 

How to Stop Them Sticking

An instant fix for swelled uPVC is a quick wipe/wash with cool water. Just as this cools you down, it’ll cool the door down and reduce the swelling!

Longer term, whatever door you have, you’ll want to check your hinges and make sure they’re fitted clearly. However, be wary about adjusting the hinges, as this could mean problems down the line when the swelling season (summer) is over.

For timber doors/doors affected by humidity, reducing ambient moisture is a no brainer. A couple of dehumidifiers placed strategically can make the world of difference.

If you find you just can’t get them to stop, consider looking into repair services before replacements. We offer repairs services, so feel free to give our team a call!

Do You Need to Replace Swelling Doors?

Generally speaking, no!

However, if you find the swelling happens too frequently, or it’s too difficult to use when it does swell, then it might be time to think about alternative options. Not every material is right for every home’s doors!

That’s why we offer a wide range of different doors, including uPVC, composite and aluminium, so that you can get the right door for your home. If you’re uncertain about your needs, we’re always happy to talk through the pros and cons of each kind with you, to help you find the perfect solution! Get in touch with us now to find out more!