How To Stop Doors From Slamming

Very few sounds are quite as startling as a door slamming shut. It is even more unsettling when a door creaks as it sways and slams shut even though no one’s around to set it in motion.

No, your home or office is not part of a freaky movie setting, and it is not haunted. And yes, it happens, more often than not.

Here are a few science-backed explanations for why doors slam!

What Causes Door Slamming

Most times, doors slam because of the excessive force used while shutting them. The two most common “slammers” are weather and people. Yes, if it is a relatively windy or stormy day, you can expect the wind to be the culprit. But on the days when mother nature is taking a break, it might be an angry family member making a statement by slamming doors.

There are other possibilities as well. It is necessary to ascertain the cause so that you can take appropriate measures to rectify the problem.

Here are more reasons why doors slam.

The Door Is Installed Out of Plumb

When we say that the door is out of plumb, it means that it is not perfectly aligned. The unevenness causes the door to swing even on a non-windy day. And yes, the door slams due to the imbalance in weight distribution.

If There Are Changes In Pressure

When you open another window or door, there is an imperceptible change in air pressure inside the room. It is insignificant enough for you to feel it, but it is sufficient to cause a door to slam. Door slamming will be more common on days when the temperature inside and outside your home are significantly different. For instance, when you use an air conditioner on a very hot day.

If There Is A Problem With The Hinges

If the hinges are bent or mounted the wrong way, the door’s weight can cause it to slam.

How To Prevent Doors From Slamming

Whether the door slamming is caused by nature, family members, or a carpenter on a bad day, we have a solution to restore peace to your home!

Check and Repair Door Hinges

If the hinges are improperly fitted or have worn out due to external conditions, it leads to the slamming of doors. It’s relatively easy to figure this bit out. All you have to do is open the door and inspect the hinges for any signs of wear and tear. If there are no signs of wear and tear, then place a level on the handle. A lopsided door will leave the level unbalanced. In most cases, simply tightening the screws is enough to address the door slamming. However, if the wood is cracked, you might need to call a carpenter.

Use Felt Pads

Applying felt pads is a simple and cost-effective technique to prevent doors from slamming. Felt pads, when stuck along the edges of the door, act as a cushion. They also reduce the speed at which the door closes, thereby preventing it from slamming.

Install An Automatic Door Closer

Automatic door closers are designed to control the speed at which doors close. If you can’t afford one, a DIY hack such as using a door silencer or wrapping a rubber band across both handles should help. While neither will control the door’s speed, at least it will take the “bang” out of it.

Use Anti-Door Slam Products

Doorstops, bumpers, door seals, finger pinch guards, stick gel bumpers, door cushion—the market is practically saturated with anti-door slam products, each addressing a need, be it safety, aesthetics, pocket-friendly, low-tech and so on.

Some will work for you, and some might not. You might even have to combine two products, a door cushion with weather stripping, for instance.

No matter what kind of door you have (wood, PVC, etc.) or the culprit, you can experiment your way to blissful silence!