For homeowners, a broken door frame can be a safety hazard. If the door frame is not supported, the door could collapse, causing injury to anyone nearby.
Fortunately, repairing a broken door frame is easy and only requires a few tools and materials. Here’s how you can fix a broken door frame for homeowners.
If it is just a dent or a crack, you can use putty or wood filler to fill in the gap, and then don’t forget to sand it until it’s flush with the intact frame.
However, if you have big cracks or holes in your door, you will need wood planks to patch the hole. Cut that wood slightly larger than the damaged area and glue or nail it into place.
After the adhesive has dried, use sanding paper and apply the paint that matches your door frame.
If there’s more extensive damage, replace the entire door frame. A more complex project will require some carpentry skills.
How to Repair Broken Door Frames?
It happens to all of us eventually. We misjudge the width of a doorway and bang our shoulder or hip against the door frame.
The next thing we know, we have a nasty bruise, and the door frame is damaged. If you have a cracked door frame, don’t despair. With time and effort, you can fix it yourself.
Wooden Door Frame
Like any other DIY project, the first thing you need to do is check if you have all the materials that you need.
Before starting with your door repair, you need to have the following materials.
- a hammer
- wood screws
- sawdust
- wood glue
- clamps
Once you have all the materials needed, you should start removing the door from the frame.
It may seem like only a professional can do it, but it is doable. All you need to do is unscrew the door from the frame using a screwdriver. Then, use a putty knife to pry the door away from the wooden frame.
Next, use the sawdust to fill any holes in the frame. After filling, use the wood screws to reattach it to the door frame.
Finally, use the clamps to hold the door while the wood glue dries. Allow the glue to dry for at least 24 hours before removing the clamps.
Metal Door Frames
How did it get broken in the first place? It’s most likely due to heavy usage or weather-related damage.
Maybe it was an accident that caused the frame to bend or break. Regardless of how it got damaged, you should know how to repair it before your door becomes unusable.
Here are the materials you need to make this possible:
- hacksaw
- masonry drill bit
- hammer
- two C-clamps
- screws
First, you will need to remove the damaged piece of metal. You can do this by using a saw or a chisel.
Then, you will need to measure the opening and cut a new piece of metal to fit it. Next, attach the metal to the door frame using rivets or welding.
Paint it after sanding and you’re done!
Fixing a Kicked in Broken Door Frame
Kicking in a door is always more satisfying in the movies than in real life. More often than not, you end up with a broken door frame and a bruised foot. If you’re lucky, the damage is purely cosmetic. But if the door frame is bent or splintered, it is for your safety to replace it.
You already know the first step – remove the hinges. When the door is out of the way, you can assess the damage and repair it.
There are ways that you can do to remove hinges, but the easiest is to use a screwdriver or drill to remove the screws that hold the door in place. You may also need to pry the door off the frame if it is stuck.
Next, take a look at the damage. If the wood is cracked or splintered, you need to use a saw to remove the damaged portion. Be sure to measure twice and cut once to avoid making things worse!
For more extensive damage, replacing the entire door frame may be necessary. This is a more challenging repair, so calling a professional may be the best choice.
Repairing Broken Parts of Your Door
A door frame has two parts: the sill and the jamb. The sill is the horizontal piece at the bottom of the frame, while the jamb is the vertical piece on either side. If either of these pieces is damaged, it can cause problems with the door itself.
For example, a damaged sill may cause the door to sag or become difficult to open and close.
A damaged jamb may cause the door to rub against the frame or become misaligned. To repair a door frame, you need to identify which part is damaged and replace it.
By knowing which part needs fixing, you can get your door back in working order with no delay.
How to Repair the Sill?
Have you ever gone to open your door only to find that the sill has broken? It’s a frustrating experience, especially if you’re in a hurry. But don’t worry, there’s an easy fix.
First, gather your supplies. You’ll need a hammer, some nails, and wood filler to fill small breaks and cracks on the sill.
If the damage is particularly large or uneven, you may also need a piece of plywood to use as a patch. Cut the plywood to size and then attach it to the frame with nails or screws.
Use the hammer and nails to reattach any loose pieces that you can see popping out the surface. When the filler is dry, sand it down to flush with the rest of the frame.
Once done, your door frame should look pristine!
How to Repair a Broken Door Jamb?
Have you ever slammed a door too hard and heard a sickening crunch? That crunch was probably your door jamb breaking.
While it may seem daunting, fixing a broken door frame is an easy repair that most homeowners can do.
Here are the things that you need:
- A hammer
- Nails or screws
- Wood glue
- A saw (if necessary)
- Sandpaper (if necessary)
Instructions:
Start by removing the door from its hinges and look at the damage. If the wood is splintered or cracked, use a saw to remove the damaged piece.
If the damage isn’t too severe, use sandpaper to smoothen the rough areas until it is no longer a safety hazard.
Followed by reassembling the door after repairing the damaged jamb, check if the corners and the edges are aligned before sealing it in place.
Remember that if you remove a part of the door jamb, you need to cut a replacement piece from a similar type of wood to blend it with the rest of the frame.
Fit the replacement piece into the door frame and use wood glue to secure it.
Finally, hammer the nails or screws into the jamb for additional security. When you’re done fixing the jamb, reattach the door to the frame, and voila!
Final Thoughts
Fixing a broken door frame is a relatively easy repair that most homeowners can do. With the right tools and a little elbow grease, you can have your door looking as good in no time!
Start with a close inspection, then proceed to remove the door from its hinges. From there, you can make repairs as necessary.
