What are the metal pieces inside a door called and how can I fix a door that closes flush at the top but not at the bottom?
Asked by Osemrit Stelmah 
3 months ago
Last Updated: September 22, 2024
I noticed that the door is a bit off kilter. It closes perfectly at the top, but towards the bottom, it’s a bit crooked. I think the metal pieces on the inside might be bent. Do you know what they’re called and how I could fix them?
It appears that the casing has shifted at the bottom. The only solution, besides replacing it, is to close the door, push at the bottom, and try to secure it.
Grab a level and check if anything is not plumb. Then, focus on either the door or the casing.
Those metal door stoppers are no good, swap them out for new weather stripping.
Any ideas on how I could remove them?
To remove them, you’ll need pliers and a putty knife due to the numerous tiny nails.
Hey, the weatherstrip that comes with the door is just nailed on. You can simply yank them off and replace them.
Just an FYI – the door frame isn’t level.
Hey there! Did you know that the outside metal is held in place by lots of brads? All you need is a flat bar and a hammer, along with a little bit of patience. It’s actually pretty easy.
First, grab a level and check for any discrepancies.
It appears that the door is simply misaligned and not square. A bit of tweaking and repositioning should solve the issue.
It seems like the door may have warped over time. If adjusting the top hinge doesn’t work, you might have to consider getting a new door. By the way, using metal for weather strips was common practice in the past.
Remove the hinge pins from the center and bottom hinges of the door. Then give the door a gentle push to adjust it to your liking. Check the current position of the hinges and adjust one of the plates so that the hinge pin holes align. Reinsert the hinge pin. Also, remove and replace the metal weather strips.
That copper friction weatherstrip is not effective, especially in corners and around the latch, even if the door fits perfectly. Consider installing a different type of weatherstripping that works better. Ultimately, replacing the door and frame every 20 years is recommended. It can save you money in the long term, especially if you’re heating your home. New doors typically come with vinyl weatherstripping that is inserted into a groove in the frame.
Make sure to check the door frame for alignment, and inspect if the door is bent. It’s possible that one or both issues are present. As others have pointed out, having the right weather stripping will make a big difference.
Make sure to inspect if the door has become warped or twisted. If it has, there may not be much that can be done except replacing it.