Guide to Adjust Composite Door Hinge
Composite doors are a great addition to any home. Your composite front door will offer you excellent security, and these types of doors are incredibly durable, low maintenance, energy-efficient and will last for 30+ years.
But sometimes, when a door is open and closed frequently, it requires a little bit of hinge maintenance.
Fortunately, it's pretty simple to adjust composite door hinges yourself, and once you adjust the hinges, your door will be as good as new.
Read on to find out more about how to adjust composite door hinges to help you smoothly enter and exit your home.
When Will My Composite Door Hinges Require Adjusting?
Firstly, you should check whether it is necessary to adjust your door hinges. The easiest way to spot whether any adjustments are required is to see if the door fits snugly when you close it. It needs to line up perfectly with the door frame.
You can also use a spirit level to check the level of the door. It needs to be completely level; otherwise, it could warp or not shut properly.
The gap between the door and the frame must be even throughout - an uneven gap means the door is misaligned.
To check this, open the door slightly and check the gap on the opposite side of the lock side to see whether the gap is consistent along the length of the door.
Also, adjusting the hinges on your composite door can help to stop doors from slamming.
How to Adjust Composite Door Hinges
There are many different types of door hinges available, but the most common type of hinge on composite doors is the butt hinge. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you adjust your door hinges.
Tools and materials required
- Hex key
- Screwdriver (flathead and Phillips-head screwdrivers are recommended)
- Torch or headlamp
- Nut socket
- Lithium-based lubricant.
Five steps for adjusting your door hinges
1. Open the door fully
Once you have all your tools ready, start by opening the door all the way. This will expose the hinges and the screws, making it easier to get make adjustments.
2. Loosen the hinge screws
Using a screwdriver, loosen the plastic caps that cover the top and bottom of the hinges (if applicable).
Next, use a hex key (also called an Allen key) to loosen the central screw so that it is ready for adjustment.
3. Adjust the hinge
Using an appropriately sized nut socket, adjust the top nut. This adjustment will move the door from left to right or vice versa.
If the door needs a height adjustment, release the centre screws on each of the hinges using the hex key. Lift the door to the desired height, wedge it in place, and re-tighten the screws.
Make the same adjustments to each hinge on the door to ensure the door is level and fits within the frame.
4. Replace the caps
With the door still open, replace the plastic caps and close the door, checking that your composite door is tight within the frame.
5. Apply lubricant
Once the composite door hinge has been adjusted, apply a lithium-based lubricant to the hinge to ensure it works smoothly.
Do you have bifold doors that need adjusting? Read our quick guide here on how to adjust bifold doors
FAQs
Why is my composite door not shutting properly?
If your door is not shutting properly, it could be because the hinges have dropped. You can adjust the hinges to solve the problem with your composite door.
How do you fix dropped hinges on a composite door?
You can easily do a minor hinge adjustment following the five steps above. Additionally, you can adjust the locking keeps to ensure the door fits tightly in the frame.
Final Thoughts
Adjusting your composite door hinges is an easy task that will take most people only a couple of minutes if you have the right tools.
This could save you from buying a new door if you can fix the problem quickly.
Make sure to check out our blog for other tips and tricks when it comes to your composite front door.
