Do you have a door that constantly slams shut? No one enjoys unexpected loud noises. Finding ways to prevent doors from slamming may help you avoid getting startled or waking up a sleeping child. Even if you are used to the sound, the sudden noise can still be incredibly annoying.
The best way to solve the problem typically involves finding the cause. Doors slam shut for a variety of reasons.
For example, the door may be too heavy or hung unevenly. A strong breeze can also cause them to slam. Doors with closers may do it due to an issue with the joint or arm attachment. Sometimes, the door may seem to slam shut for no reason at all.
Luckily, there are also many solutions for dealing with slamming doors.
Why Does Your Door Slam?
To find the right solution, consider the details of your situation. Does the door slam open or shut? Is it an interior door or exterior door?
For an interior door that wildly swings open or shut, try adding a doorstop. It is the easiest, most cost-effective solution.
A door stop is simply a wedge that you place under the door to keep it from moving. You can get a basic rubber door wedge for less than five dollars.
If you don’t like the look of a rubber wedge, get kick-down door stops coated in chrome, nickel, or stainless steel to match the style of the doorknob and hinges.
Unfortunately, an affordable doorstop will not work in every situation. Use one or more of the following 10 best methods for preventing doors from slamming.
List of 10 Ways to Prevent Doors From Slamming
1. Dampen the Noise With Foam Strips
The first solution is to use foam strips to dampen the noise. The foam softens the closing of the door, even when you forcibly close it.
Use adhesive foam weather stripping. They come in varying lengths and can be cut to size to fit your door frame.
Before removing the adhesive, measure and cut the strips. To prepare the door, clean the inside of the door frame using soapy water and a damp cloth. Thoroughly clean the interior and then wipe it dry.
Remove several inches of the adhesive backing and place it directly against the door frame. Start in one corner, ensuring that you line up the strip evenly along the frame.
Do not forcefully press the adhesive until the entire door frame is lined, in case you need to peel it back up to straighten the strip.
When the strips are properly positioned, use your thumb to press the strip firmly against the frame.
You now have a cushion to keep the door from slamming, whether it slams shut from a breeze or when you go to close it.
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2. Cushion the Door With Felt Pads
Felt pads provide another option for cushioning the blow of the door closing. Such as the weather strips, they prevent the door from making a loud sound as it hits the door frame.
These pads are usually used on furniture to keep it from scratching the floor.
The small dots have an adhesive backing and can be attached to the inside of the door frame, near the middle. If you don’t know what size to use, get a variety pack of self-adhesive felt pads.
Add two pads, spaced an inch or two above the lock and handle. If this does not soften the blow, try adding two more pads, higher and lower than the previous two.
3. Inspect and Adjust the Door Closer
Door closers are mechanical devices that are designed to let doors slowly glide closed. You often see these attached to screen doors, porch doors, and any exterior doors on commercial properties or businesses.
The closer keeps the door from remaining open, but can also cause the door to slam shut if the tension is off or the closer is installed incorrectly.
Pneumatic and hydraulic are the most common options. Pneumatic door closers are air-powered while hydraulic closers use hydraulic fluid. Both options typically have a screw for adjusting the tension.
Use a screwdriver to adjust the tension screw. It should be located on the upper side of the main attachment near the top of the door.
You will likely need to stand on a step stool or ladder to get a better look. If you cannot see the adjustment screw, it may be covered with a small piece of plastic. The cover can typically be removed with a flathead screwdriver.
Some screws are marked, letting you know which direction to turn to adjust the tension. Typically, turning clockwise increases the tension, increasing the swing speed. Turning counterclockwise loosens the spring, decreasing the swing speed.
Adjust the screw a quarter turn and then test the door. If it still slams shut, continue adjusting the screw.
If the door continues to slam shut, no matter the tension, the entire door closer may be poorly mounted. The brackets on the door or door frame may be too close or misaligned.
Download the instructions from the manufacturer and see if the device is properly installed. If these steps do not solve the problem, you will likely need a new door closer.
4. Install a Door Closer
If the door does not already have a closer, installing one should help keep it from slamming. Just remember to follow the installation instructions very carefully. Use a level to ensure that the main housing is straight when mounted to the door.
Pneumatic door closers and hydraulic door closers are your main two options.
Pneumatic door closers are more discreet and easier to install. This standard-duty closer mounts on any door and allows a full 90-degree opening. The only drawback is that you may need to grease it occasionally for it to operate smoothly.
Hydraulic door closers have a more industrial look and take up more space, but tend to work better. The gliding action is smooth and keeps the door from slamming open or shut.
5. Use a Rubber Band to Stop Slamming
The least expensive way to keep doors from slamming shut is to add a rubber band. This may not work with every door, but it only takes a few seconds to test.
Open the door and place the rubber band around the handle. Stretch the band and wrap it around the handle on the other side of the door. Position the band so that it stretches above and below the latch as it wraps around the door.
The band creates a small rubber bumper for when the door hits the door frame. Keep in mind that this does not really solve the cause of the problem. It just keeps the door from making a lot of noise.
6. Replace the Door Hinges
Door hinges can cause doors to swing too quickly when they are worn or installed incorrectly. Inspect the hinges to determine if they are straight. Open the door fully and use a level to check each hinge.
If the hinges are uneven, drilling new holes allows you to reposition them for proper mounting. Luckily, you shouldn’t need to reposition all three hinges.
For this project, you will need a handheld drill and anchor screws. If the old screws are worn, you may also need to replace them.
You will likely need to reposition the hole a millimeter or two in whatever direction is needed to straighten the hinge. The easiest solution is to drill a new hole using a bit that is slightly larger than the existing hole.
The new hole is essentially replacing the existing one, but it is now too big for the existing screw. Use an anchor screw that matches the size of the drill bit. If you use a 5/16-inch drill bit, use a 5/16-inch wall anchor.
The anchor should partially slide into the hole. Use a rubber mallet to carefully wedge the anchor in so that it is flush with the door frame. You may need to repeat these steps with the remaining holes for the same hinge.
When the new holes are positioned, reattach the hinges and the door. Hopefully, the straight door should stop swinging open or shut.
Another issue is worn hinges. If the hinges are worn, the door is more likely to swing open easily when it is not fully closed.
Measure the existing hinges before shopping for new ones. If the sizes match, you shouldn’t need to drill new holes. Just make sure that you use a level to keep the new hinges straight.
7. Use Door Pinch Guards
The next way to keep a door from slamming is to add a pinch guard. These products are also called finger pinch guards and are often sold as baby-proofing solutions, as they also keep fingers from getting caught in the door.
This six-pack of door pinch guards includes pieces made from extra-soft foam. The foam piece fits around the door, above the handle. This does not keep the door from slamming open, but is effective for preventing the door from closing.
With this set, you get six guards. You only need one per door, allowing you to use them throughout the house.
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8. Lay a Draft Stop Cloth Below the Door
Draft stops or door seals are long, thin tubes of fabric. Using one of these seals is like placing a rolled-up towel at the bottom of the door. It stops drafts and smells from getting through.
These three-foot long draft stops are designed to fit under any door to keep drafts from getting through. While they are primarily intended to help improve heating efficiency during the winter, they can also keep doors from opening or closing due to a draft.
The material is made from a synthetic fleece while the interior features nylon fiberfill and weighted cotton bags. You get two of these door seals for keeping drafts out or preventing slamming.
These are simple, versatile solutions for almost any type of door slamming problem. If the door tends to slam open, place the seal in front of the door. If the door slams shut, use the seal as a doorstop.
9. Protect Your Walls With a Door Bumper
When a door slams open, the doorknob may create a dent or hole in the adjacent wall. Door bumpers are circular foam or plastic pads that are attached on the wall at the same height as the doorknob.
The bumper protects the wall and keeps the door from slamming when it swings open.
If you have a lot of doors that you want to stop from hitting walls, this four-pack of rubber door stopper bumpers offer the best value. The bumpers are self-adhesive and translucent, making them easy to install and discreet.
If you prefer a design that blends in with the wall, the white round soft rubber wall protectors from XfenUS are a top choice. The set includes two white bumpers with adhesive backing. They are flat, yet provide enough cushioning to keep the door from damaging the wall or making a loud noise.
10. Cover the Door Jamb With a Cushion
Like the rubber band trick, you can cover a portion of the door to keep it from loudly slamming against the door frame. The Original Cushy Closer Door Cushion is made from soft material and fits over the handles of any door.
Unlike the rubber band trick, this cushion covers the entire door latch, yet it is still thin enough to allow you to close the door. It keeps the door from latching when you shut it and prevents it from hitting the frame.
The cushion also allows quiet entry and exit from bedrooms, which is a great option when trying to check on sleeping kids.
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Keeping a Door from Slamming Isn’t Very Difficult
If you want to keep the door from slamming open, use a doorstop or door seal to keep it in place.
For doors that slam shut, use weather stripping, a rubber band, a cushion, or an automatic door closer. You may also need to replace hinges if they are uneven or showing signs of wear.
If none of these solutions work for you, there is one final option – get a new door.
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