What causes doors to swell?

There are several causes that may lead to your internal doors swelling and not functioning smoothly.

• Changes in humidity: Wooden internal doors are very susceptible to changes in the levels of humidity. As the humidity increases wood will absorb this extra moisture in the air causing both doors and frames to swell. This is especially true in periods of high humidity and becomes more pronounced in Spring and Summer.
• Moisture Absorption: Wooden doors will absorb moisture from the air and even more so in areas of increased condensation such as bathrooms.
• Poor finishes: Inadequate sealing of doors leaving the wood inadequately treated will leave them open to absorbing moisture. This moisture will cause wooden components to expand. Ensure your doors are treated with paint, wax or varnish to protect them.

Identify the signs of swelling doors

The main indicators that your doors are beginning to absorb moisture from the air are:

• Doors become difficult to open and close: As the wood begins to swell the door becomes too big to fit in the door frame and the wooden frame becomes too small to allow the door to close. A combination of both of these can prevent the door from closing altogether.
• Composite doors:  These are not as susceptible to the effects of moisture but will often still experience swelling affecting their functionality.
• Misalignment of the door and frame: Gaps between the door and the frame will indicate swelling and an ill-fitting door.
• Door appearance: Moisture will often affect the door appearance. It may look warped, the surface wood becomes bumpy and the finish may start to look uneven.

Poorly finished doors

The greater majority of new doors are untreated and will be susceptible to the effects of moisture. It is essential to treat your new doors with a good quality wax, oil, paint or varnish to protect it. Over time, the finish will start to fade or wear out leaving the door surface exposed to the effects of moisture. Be sure to retreat your doors when you notice the finish starting to change in appearance.

How to prevent your internal doors from swelling

The greater majority of new doors are untreated and will be susceptible to the effects of moisture. It is essential to treat your new doors with a good quality wax, oil, paint or varnish to protect it. Over time, the finish will start to fade or wear out leaving the door surface exposed to the effects of moisture. Be sure to retreat your doors when you notice the finish starting to change in appearance.

• Sealing doors: Seal your internal doors well to protect them with a barrier against moisture.
• Regular Maintenance: Regularly inspect, maintain and repair door finishes to prevent them from fading and wearing out.
• Dehumidifiers: If you are in an area of continuously high humidity you may want to consider using a dehumidifier to maintain steady levels of indoor moisture. 

Fixing swelling doors

Repairing and maintaining swollen doors is relatively easy.

• Hinge adjustment: Sometimes just adjusting the hinges on the door or tightening the screws can alleviate the problem of a badly fitting door.
• Sand and reseal the door: Sanding down the areas of the door that are swollen will help it fit the frame more easily. It often only takes a little work. Ensure you reseal any sanded areas to prevent moisture from seeping back into the wood.

You may want to consider buying new doors

If your doors are well past their ‘sell-by’ date you may want to consider replacing them. New doors with modern materials and finishes can be more resistant to the effects of moisture. Shopping for doors online gives you access to an enormous variety of styles and finishes so you can choose a door that fits your existing home decor perfectly. Read customer reviews to gauge satisfaction. MAny new doors arrive pre-sealed further reducing the risk of moisture absorption and swelling. 

DIY Prevention

Understanding the causes of internal door swelling allows you to take preventative measures to avoid this common issue. Through regular maintenance, regulating humidity levels, or buying new doors, preventing swelling improves the longevity and functionality of your internal doors. Consider exploring the diverse range of doors available online to find the perfect fit for your home, combining functionality and style in your ongoing house renovation and home improvement projects.