Repairing exterior doors is a common need! There is no need to install a new door when things go wrong, instead you can repair you existing door and get it working like new.

Locks, deadbolts, weatherstripping and adjustments are all important features of an exterior door. These items and wear out, break and get out of adjustment. With a few tools and a little know how, you can repair these items.

Not sure if this is your problem? See the article 'Fixing and Repairing Doors' for a complete listing of all of the door topics.

Most home have a front door and other doors that lead to the outside. One key issue with this type of door is security. The door and hardware protect us from unwanted visitors. Keeping the hardware working properly is an important safety feature. Another issue is the weather on the outside of our home. We need our exterior doors to keep us both warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Weatherstripping and thresholds accomplish this task.

Below you will find links to articles that discuss key topics about exterior doors. Try to find the article that best describes your problem. The articles will provide you with useful information and how to knowledge on repairing this type of door.

Repairing Exterior Doors - Finding Help

The introduction to each series of articles has an evaluation section. This section will help you decide if you want to repair your own exterior doors. The "What Can You Save?"and "How Hard Could It Be?" sections give you a quick overview of the repair. This will help you decide if it is using common sense or good judgment to make the repair yourself.

The "Check the Simple Things First" section will clue you in to easy, exterior door fixes to check for. The 'Simple Fixes' usually take five minutes or less. In an effort to warn you about what you are in for, there is the "What Can Go Wrong" section. Use this section to benefit from the experience of others, without the discomfort.

Entry Door Repair

Entrance doors take a lot of abuse, both from the weather and from constant use. Bringing things in and out of the home can damage the door. Heat, cold, snow and rain will all take a toll on the functioning of an exterior door.

There are three common things that will need attention. (1) The door itself will get out of alignment and need adjustment. (2) The hardware will wear out or start to malfunction. (3) The weatherstriping will fail and not keep out the elements. Follow this link for a discussion on these issues.

Rusty Hinges

The door is supported in the frame by hinges. Usually three or four on an exterior door. Hinges can rust and start to bind, making it difficult to close the door. In addition, they will make a lot of noise. What can you do with them? Lubrication or replacement are the two likely choices. Find out what it is that you need.

Screen Door Repair

Screen doors or 'Storm' doors as they are sometimes called are an added level of protection for a home. They can allow air into the house during moderate seasons. They also keep out the elements and protect the main door. These doors are installed and operate differently than traditional doors. This article discusses the problems and solutions.

Exterior Door Hardware

Entrance doors will often have both a door lock and a deadbolt. When they are bought as a set these locks use the same key. Lubrication and alignment are critical with door locks. Can door locks and deadbolts be repaired? Yes they can. At times they will need to be replaced. This series of articles will provide the needed skills.