At certain times of the year there seem to be several annoying things that always happen around my house. They mostly seem to coincide with the change of the seasons, as though it takes the house by surprise and it reacts in weird ways – damp patches crop up, the first signs of condensation make an appearance, and, irritatingly, the doors and some of the windows start to stick in their frames.
The doors and windows refusing to sit properly within their frames actually seems to be a fairly haphazard occurrence, but with our home's questionable draught proofing, it is one I'd like to get to the bottom of, as when the door into the living room isn't totally shut, a cold wind from the hallway has a tendency to whistle on through.
If the arrival of a new season has brought with it the issue of doors and windows that won't open or close properly to your home, check out what the experts had to say about the possible causes of the problem, and what you can do to put it right.
1. Subsidence related problems
This potential reason for doors and windows sticking in their frames is number one for a reason – quite simply, it points to a much wider issue than it simply being an inconvenience.
Craig Dean, residential services director at ground engineering specialist and contractor Geobear, explains that this is often one of the first signs of subsidence or ground movement that homeowners notice.
"Windows and doors that suddenly start sticking or become difficult to open and close shouldn’t always be dismissed as a problem with the frame or hinges. In some cases, it’s an early warning sign that the building itself is moving. This is particularly worth watching if the problem appears alongside new or widening cracks around window and door openings, uneven floors or gaps where an extension or conservatory meets the main building," he explains.
"One of the key causes can be movement in the ground beneath a property. Certain soil types, such as shrinkable clay soils, are particularly susceptible because they lose moisture and contract during prolonged dry weather, like we faced this summer, then swell again when wetter conditions return," continues Craig. "This shrink-and-swell cycle can put foundations under stress and cause differential settlement, where parts of a building move by different amounts. As a result, this puts pressure on door and window frames, causing them to become misaligned.
"But, if there are no other signs of structural movement and the issue appears isolated to the window or door itself, a qualified joiner or window and door specialist should be able to assess whether the frame, hinges or fittings need adjustment or repair," reassures Craig reassures me.
Prevention and cure
If you are concerned about future ground movement or are looking to rectify an active problem, what does Craig suggest?
"Homeowners can reduce risks by cleaning gutters, keeping drains and pipework in good condition and looking out for changes around openings. During prolonged dry spells, maintaining consistent soil moisture around foundations may also help prevent extreme shrinkage, although this should be done carefully and in line with any water restrictions. Large trees should not be suddenly removed or heavily pruned without professional advice, as changing the soil moisture balance can itself cause problems," he says.
"If a window or door has suddenly started sticking, don't force it or immediately assume it needs replacing. Check whether there are other signs of movement and monitor any cracks, photographing them and recording whether they change over time," continues Craig.
"If problems are progressive or occur alongside other warning signs, a professional assessment of the building and its foundations is the sensible next step. Early diagnosis can make a significant difference and may allow problems to be addressed before more extensive damage develops."
Craig is the Residential Services Director at Geobar and has worked in subsidence rectification for residential properties for several years.
2. Humidity and moisture
Fluctuations in moisture and humidity levels are responsible for all kinds of issues, include damp and mould, but they can also cause windows and doors to stop opening and closing properly.
According to Joe Buckley, founder and director of Heritage Joinery, moisture ingress is not always immediately obvious. "Its often a gradual problem rather than pointing to one event where it all went wrong. For example, if windows and doors are not sealed properly then the moisture creeps in and, over time, timber windows and doors swell. They stick in the frame when this happens."
David Turner, head of product at Leader Doors, goes on to point out that this issue is more common with wooden windows and doors. "Humidity is often the bigger issue with wooden doors. Wood takes in moisture from the air and can swell, reducing the gap between the door and frame. This is more likely in rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens, where there is more moisture in the air."
Prevention and cure
Thankfully, there are lots of steps you can take to prevent this issue, and to put it right once it has already occurred.
"With wooden doors, try to keep moisture under control, especially in kitchens and bathrooms," says David Turner. "Good ventilation helps, and any timber should be properly sealed and maintained.
"If the door has swollen because of moisture, you need to deal with the source of the damp and give the wood time to dry out. It may return to its original size without needing to be altered," adds David.
"If it's still catching, you can sand or plane the area that's rubbing. Take a small amount off at a time and keep checking the fit. Don't remove more wood than you need to."
To help manage moisture, consider adding one of the best dehumidifiers to your shopping list, but do remember the rules for using dehumidifiers near bathrooms.
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Joe is the founder and driving force behind Heritage Joinery. He is passionate about preserving the timeless beauty of traditional timber architecture while delivering quality and craftsmanship that stands the test of time. Heritage Joinery are experienced professional window and door joiner, based in Greater Manchester. They specialise in traditional joinery work, from sash window restoration and replacement to period windows and doors.
David Turner, Head of Product at Leader Online, has vast knowledge of doors, floors, tiles, worktops and panelling – based on his 15 years of experience in the homes and interiors industry.
3. Fluctuations in temperature
The UK is not known for its predictable weather patterns and temperatures really can swing wildly between hot and cold – something that can cause all kinds of issues, including with windows and both internal doors as well as exterior styles.
"Changes in temperature over the summer can affect how well a door fits its frame. A door that opens and closes normally can start to catch because wood moves in response to changes in temperature," explains David Turner.
Prevention and cure
You should aim to keep temperatures as stable as you can rather than reacting once a room becomes too hold or cold. Good ventilation can help and, in summer, looking at ways to cool down a room without air conditioning can also be wise.
Joe Buckley advises against using force should your doors swell in the heat. "Don't force any open or closed either as this continued pressure damages hinges, locks, and the frame."
4. Loose hinges and fixings
It isn't always the doors and windows themselves that are to blame for sticking – sometimes the door hardware, fixing and opening mechanisms are at the root of the problem.
"Loose hinge screws can allow a door to drop slightly," explains David Turner, who goes onto explain the types of doors that this is most likely to occur with. "A heavy door puts more strain on its hinges, so loose screws or worn fixings can cause it to sag and become misaligned."
Prevention and cure
"Keep an eye on the hinges and screws," advises David Turner. "If you notice a screw has started to come loose, tighten it before the door has a chance to drop. Lubricating the hinges from time to time will also help keep them moving freely."
5. Age, wear and tear
If you live in an older property with original doors, you should expect them to have seen plenty of use over the years – something that can, in itself, lead to them not opening and closing quite as smoothly as you might like.
"Older windows and doors are of course more prone to this due to wear to the hinges and seals over time," explains Joe Buckley. "The material is not always the problem – poor window insulation or even incorrect adjustments will cause almost all types of doors and windows to stick.
"Additionally, when hinges and fixings loosen over time, locking mechanisms misalign making old doors have more of a tendency to stick."
Prevention and cure
In order to prevent time taking too much of a toll on your windows and doors, a degree of maintenance is required, particularly in the case of wooden joinery.
"Timber must always be sealed properly to protect it from moisture," says Joe Buckley. "If you detect any sticking or hinge and fixing issues, you should plan to address these as soon as possible. They won't just fix themselves over time.
FAQs
How do you find out why doors and windows are sticking?
Struggling to get to the bottom of why your windows or doors have started to stick in their frames? David Turner has some advice on tracking down the culprit. "Where the door catches is the most useful clue. If it's catching around the hinges, check for loose screws or movement in the door. If it's dragging along the bottom, look at the flooring and whether the door has dropped. If it's rubbing along the top or sides, swelling or movement in the frame could be the cause.
"Check the hinges as well," continues David. "If a screw is loose, tightening it may be all that's needed. However, if the door is still sticking after you've checked the hinges and alignment, the problem could be with the door frame, rather than the door itself. In that situation, I'd get someone to take a look before making any major alterations."
"Pay attention to whether the problem affects one opening or several too," adds Joe Buckley. "One sticking door could be a local mis-adjustment or moisture issue, but many becoming difficult to operate at the same time can point to a wider movement issue, or damp in the building."
Are some types of doors and windows more prone to movement than others?
The door or window materials and their style can play a large role in how likely they are to stick in their frames as time goes on.
"Timber doors are generally more prone to movement because natural wood responds to moisture and humidity. This doesn't mean other types of doors can't stick, but swelling and warping are more common problems with timber" says David Turner.
"Timber is more susceptible to sticking than UPVC windows and doors," agrees Joe Buckley. "This usually occurs when paint or stains fail. Larger and heavier glazed doors are also more prone to sticking because their weight causes them to drop over time."
Now is a great time to start preparing your home for winter – taking a few simple steps before cold, wet weather really takes hold will ensure your home is able to handle everything the weather decides to throw at it. And, if you've noticed gaps, rather than windows sticking, make sure you follow our guide to draught proofing windows.
