This $5 Fix Stops Slamming Doors For Good
I think we all know the terrible feeling of being startled by a heavy door slamming shut. It completely shatters the peace of your home in a single second. Whether it is a strong breeze or just a heavy hand closing the bedroom door the loud bang is incredibly unsettling. You may find yourself trying to tiptoe around your own house trying to keep things quiet. But there is actually a super easy, cheap way to quiet any slamming door.
Understanding Why Doors Slam
Doors in older homes or apartments slam more because they often have a tiny bit of space between the wood and the actual door frame. When you push the door closed it builds up momentum and strikes the hard wooden frame with a massive amount of force. Sometimes a simple cross breeze from an open window is enough to send it flying shut. The wood hitting wood creates that explosive clapping sound that echoes down the entire hallway.
Skip The Complicated Fix
I initially thought I needed to buy fancy hydraulic hinges or expensive foam weather stripping to solve the noise problem. But replacing door hardware requires specialized tools and taking the heavy doors completely off their hinges is too hard. I honestly did not have the energy or the budget for a major weekend carpentry project. IInstead, I went with this simple, fast, and cheap solution that takes a few minutes.
The Cheap Solution
The absolute best fix for a slamming door is probably sitting in your junk drawer right now. Those little sticky felt pads we use under the legs of heavy kitchen chairs are the ultimate secret weapon. You can grab a whole sheet of them at the dollar store for just a few bucks. They are designed to absorb the heavy friction of sliding furniture so they are perfectly capable of absorbing a sudden door slam.
Picking The Right Size And Shape
When you look at the sheet of different felt pads, you want to choose the smaller circular ones. The giant pads used for heavy couches will be way too thick and might actually prevent your door from latching properly. Look for the little pads that are about the size of a dime. You can also find them in a few different colors like brown or white to match the paint on your specific door frame.
Exactly Where To Stick Them
Installation takes about ten seconds and requires absolutely zero tools. You just peel the paper backing off two small felt pads. Stick one pad directly onto the door frame right where the top corner of the door makes contact. Stick the second pad on the frame right where the bottom corner hits. The sticky backing holds the felt securely to the wood and creates a tiny soft bumper for the door to hit.
Protecting Your Paint And Your Peace
The first time you close the door after putting the pads on you will be amazed by how much sound the pads truly absorb. It completely absorbs the shock of the impact. But the extra bonus is that these little felt circles actually protect the paint on your door frame from chipping over time too. It is such a gentle way to take care of your house and keep the daily noise level to a minimum.
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It is so incredibly satisfying to solve a really annoying daily problem with a tiny tool that costs less than pocket change. You do not always need to hire a professional or buy complicated gadgets to make your house feel more comfortable. Just sticking two little pieces of felt onto a wooden frame brought so much quiet peace back into my home. I hope it can do the same for you.
Bliss Donahue-Power
