Doors That Stick Every Summer — What’s Really Happening

(And How to Fix It Without Replacing Every Door)

If your doors stick in the summer, rub the frame, or won’t latch right… you’re not alone.

In South Louisiana, this is one of the most common homeowner complaints — especially in older homes.

But here’s the good news:

✅ A sticking door does not automatically mean your house is “falling apart”✅ It also doesn’t always mean you need a new door✅ It usually means something is moving (and it can often be corrected)

Let’s break down why it happens and what actually solves it.

Why Doors Stick More in Summer (Simple Explanation)

In Louisiana, summer brings:

• high humidity

• high heat

• moisture swings

• heavy rain cycles

Wood absorbs moisture from the air.When it absorbs moisture, it swells.

So if your door or door frame is wood (or wood-based), it may swell just enough to:

• rub

• bind

• stick

• stop latching

Even if it was fine all winter.

Most Common Reasons Doors Stick in South Louisiana

1. The Door Itself Is Swelling

This is especially common with:

• solid wood doors

• older doors

• doors exposed to humidity changes

• doors with failing paint or seal finish

✅ Clue: the door is tight mostly along an edge or corner, and it’s worse in humid months.

2. The Door Frame (Jamb) Is Moving

Sometimes it’s not the door — it’s the frame.

Frames shift due to:

• moisture changes in framing

• settling

• loose fasteners

• poorly shimmed jambs

• older houses that move seasonally

✅ Clue: the door rubs in a different spot every year or “randomly.”

3. Your House Is Shifting Slightly (Normal in Many Louisiana Homes)

Older homes, raised homes, and homes with crawl spaces often shift some — especially when:

• the ground stays wet

• drainage isn’t ideal

• humidity stays high

• temperature swings stress materials

✅ Clue: multiple doors stick at once, or doors stick after heavy rains.

This does not always mean a major foundation problem — but it’s a clue you should pay attention to moisture and movement.

4. Hinges Are Loose or Screws Are Stripping

This one’s extremely common and easy to miss.

Over time:

• screws loosen

• holes strip out

• the door sags slightly

• the latch hits wrong

✅ Clue: the top corner (latch side) rubs the frame.

Sometimes the fix is:

• tightening screws

• replacing screws with longer ones (into framing)

• adjusting hinges properly

5. The Door Latch or Strike Plate Is Misaligned

If your door closes, but won’t latch smoothly, it might be:

• a strike plate issue

• latch height mismatch

• a slightly shifted jamb

✅ Clue: you have to lift the handle, slam it, or pull hard to latch.

This can usually be corrected without replacing the door.

6. Paint Buildup Over the Years

Older homes often have layers of paint on the door edges and jamb.

In summer swelling season, those layers can be the difference between:

• smooth operation

• sticking

✅ Clue: door rubs and you see paint scraping off.

7. Interior Humidity Is Too High

If your home “feels damp inside,” indoor humidity can swell doors from the inside.

This happens in homes where:

• AC isn’t dehumidifying well

• ventilation is poor

• air sealing is weak

✅ Clue: interior doors stick too — not just exterior doors.

What NOT to Do (Common Mistakes)

A lot of homeowners accidentally create worse problems by doing these:

❌ Sanding the door down aggressively

This can expose raw wood and make swelling worse later.

❌ Planing the door too much

It may work for summer, but then winter comes and you’ll have gaps.

❌ Ignoring the real cause

Fixing the symptom without correcting movement/moisture means it returns every year.

❌ Replacing the door immediately

Sometimes replacement is needed — but most of the time, it’s not the first move.

How to Diagnose a Sticking Door (Quick Homeowner Test)

✅ Step 1: Identify WHERE it rubs

• top hinge side?

• top latch side?

• bottom?

• along the whole edge?

A pencil mark or a piece of paper can help find the tight spot.

✅ Step 2: Check hinge tightness

If the hinge screws are loose, fix that first.

✅ Step 3: Look at the gap around the door

Gaps should be fairly consistent.

Uneven gaps = movement, sag, or frame shift.

✅ Step 4: Is it seasonal?

If it’s only summer, humidity expansion is likely a main factor.

What Actually Fixes Sticking Doors (Real Solutions)

✅ 1. Hinge and screw correction

This is the most common “real fix.”

• tighten or replace screws

• correct hinge alignment

• stabilize sagging doors

✅ 2. Minor adjustment of strike plate

Often a simple alignment repair gets the door latching right again.

✅ 3. Controlled trimming + sealing (if needed)

If a door must be trimmed, it should be:

• minimal

• sealed/primed properly

• finished to resist moisture absorption

✅ 4. Correcting humidity issues in the home

If indoor humidity is high, door problems are a symptom of a bigger comfort issue.

✅ 5. Addressing structural movement (when required)

If multiple doors are shifting and sticking, it may be time to look at:

• drainage

• crawl space moisture

• long-term settling

• framing movement

The goal is not panic — it’s smart correction.

Why This Matters If You’re Planning a Remodel

Sticking doors tell you something useful:

✅ your home is experiencing seasonal movement✅ humidity is affecting materials✅ framing may be shifting slightly✅ moisture management might be needed

If you remodel and ignore this, you may end up with:

• new doors that also stick

• cracked caulk/paint at new trim

• alignment issues after finish work

A remodel should make your home feel tighter, smoother, and better, not more frustrating.

Need It Fixed the Right Way?

At Cajun Conservation, we do remodels and carpentry work across South Louisiana with a focus on:

• old-home movement realities

• long-term durability

• craftsmanship that holds up in humidity

Question for you:Is your door sticking mostly at the top corner, the bottom, or does it feel like the whole frame is tight?