Your Guide To Fixing a Broken Door

How To Fix a Cracked Door or Broken Door Frame

If you’ve noticed a cracked or broken door slab or door frame in your home, you may be wondering if you can repair it yourself, or if it will require a full door unit replacement (the replacement of both the door frame and slab.) 

While fixing a cracked door slab or door frame is much easier to do yourself than completely replacing a broken door slab or door frame, we’ll help you identify if your damage calls for an easy DIY fix or a professional replacement.

Let’s Explore the Steps Involved in Repairing a Cracked Door Frame First:

1. First, you’ll want to remove the metal door catch/strike and or deadbolt catch/strike.
   
   
2. Then, scrape off any loose chunks of wood that are hanging off the door frame. (If you can’t fully close the door, continue to scrape off any wood preventing you from being able to close it all the way.)
   
   
3. After making sure you can fully shut the door, open the door to reveal the door frame. Apply wood glue or filler into the cracked part of the door, ensuring you apply enough glue to reach deep into the crack.
   
   
4. Next, use wood clamps to squeeze the door together while the glue solidifies. Leave the clamps on for a few hours to ensure the glue sticks.
   
   
5. Lastly, remove the clamps. You shouldn’t be able to see much of the crack anymore, but you’ll still need to sand and paint the door for aesthetic purposes.
   
   
6. Reinstall your door catch/strike and you’re all done!

Unsure if you need a professional to repair your cracked door frame?  Take our quiz to find out!

Now, Let’s Explore the Steps Involved in Repairing a Small Crack in a Door Slab:

1. Choose between wood putty or wood filler. Putty is better to use if you don’t plan on sanding and painting the door, while wood filler will require you to sand and paint after applying. So, although wood filler requires some more work, it offers a longer-lasting solution.
   
   
2. Apply your filler or putty onto the cracked part of the door slab. Note that if using filler, the surface doesn’t need to be even since you will be sanding it in the next step.
   
   
3. Sand the area with medium-grit sandpaper (60-100) where you applied filler to the door to ensure a smooth finish. Be gentle while sanding, as you don’t want to remove too much of the finish or the existing paint.
   
   
4. Color-match your door to the paint you plan to use to cover up the wood filler. Use a roller brush to paint your door for a more polished look free of brush marks.

Medium and large cracks will require more than just wood filler or putty to fix the cracked door slab. In these instances, you’ll need to use an epoxy adhesive or wood splines, depending on how severe the crack is.

Do you think you have an extensive repair on your hands? Take our quiz to find out if you need a professional repair or replacement.

Signs You Need a Door Slab or Door Frame Replacement, Rather Than a Repair

There are several telltale signs to look for that indicate you likely need a door frame replacement. If your door frame is warped, dented, contains deep scratches or the wood is in poor condition, it may be best to replace the frame rather than try to repair it.

If your door damage is on the door slab rather than the door frame, look for these signs that indicate you may need to replace the entire door slab:

• Your door drags along the floor or is difficult to open.
• Your door makes noise when you open or close it.
• There’s a draft letting in unwanted air.
• Excess light comes through the door.
• There is visible rust and corrosion on the door.
• There is significant damage to the door.
• Signs of termite damage or fungi damage.

If you think you may need a door slab replacement or frame replacement, consider how you will have to alter the appearance and fit of the new door to the existing frame and vice versa. For this reason, replacing one without replacing the other could present some challenges along the way, and it may be worth having a professional replace the entire door unit instead. For more information, explore HomeAdvisor’s resource center to read about the costs associated with repairing and/or replacing doors.

Things to think about if you’re replacing only the door slab or only the door frame:

• Resizing the door by cutting it to fit the frame
• Possible adjustments to the frame
• Mismatched door and frame designs and colors
• Ensuring the fit of the frame and slab is tight enough for the door to properly shut.

Have you identified signs that you may need a door slab or frame replacement? Take our quiz to find out if you need a professional repair.

Wondering if Your Door Slab, Frame or Both Needs a Professional Repair? Take Our Free Quiz to Find Out!

While it’s certainly possible to fix or repair your door slab, frame or both, you may still be feeling unsure if you should consider a professional repair. Further investigate your door damages by taking our quiz to determine if your repair is a simple do-it-yourself fix, needs a professional repair, or requires a complete replacement. 

If you end up in need of a professional repair or a complete replacement, Florida PACE can provide you with feasible options to finance this type of home improvement repair or replacement. 

Financing a project with Florida PACE will set you up for future financial success and get you the home improvements you deserve. Once you’re approved for a Florida PACE-certified funding plan, we’ll help you get your project scheduled with one of our PACE-approved contractors — or a contractor of your choice — so you can get going on your door repair or replacement. 

When you work with Florida PACE on your home improvement project, you enter into a partnership with us — not a scary, one-sided contractual agreement you feel pressured into. You’ll never have to prove a minimum credit score to qualify or put money down to begin your project and you only begin your payment plan once your project is completed and you’re 100% satisfied with the results.

Get started on your project today by taking our quiz to help you decide if Florida PACE is the right choice for funding your door slab, frame or complete door unit repair/replacement.