Is it the frame or the latch that may have swollen?

[marp68]

Last winter, I removed an old curtain frame and installed a new door frame. The opening was quite large due to the old standard, so I first installed a stud on each side against the wall ends and then attached the new frame to these.

But now, this summer, the lower part of the door is just enough so that it can't be closed. The problem starts in the bottom few cm. The level shows a very marginal difference, but still a difference. I think the wood for the new frames should have dried enough before production. The stud, however, felt fresh and a bit damp. There's no baseboard at the bottom, so perhaps that's a weak point since nothing is holding it in place at the bottom. At the top, the middle part of the frame holds it in place and may prevent both the frame sides and the studs from expanding there.

Could the frame sides or the studs I used to fill the gap have expanded due to the heat and higher humidity now in the summer? Or has something else happened? There's nothing wrong with the snap-in hinges, and they can only be adjusted up and down.

 

[Tompafix]

This winter, I removed an old curtain frame and installed a new door frame. The hole was quite large due to the old standard, so I first installed a stud on each side against the wall ends and then attached the new frame to these.

But now, in the summer, the lower part of the door is catching just so that it cannot be closed. The problem starts with the bottom centimeters. The level shows an exceedingly marginal small difference, but nevertheless a difference. I think that the wood for new frames should have dried quite a lot before they are produced. The stud, however, was fresh and felt a bit moist. There's no baseboard at the bottom, so maybe it's a sore spot since nothing is holding against the bottom. At the top, the middle part in the frame holds against and perhaps prevents both frame sides and studs from expanding there.

Could the frame sides or the studs I used to fill the gap have expanded due to the heat and higher humidity now in the summer? Or something else that has happened? There's nothing wrong with the snap-in hinges, and they can only be adjusted up and down.

If you measure at the top and bottom, do the measurements differ?

 

[marp68]

If the measurements differ at the top and bottom?

Somewhat, but it's hard to know exactly since it's such a small difference and I didn't measure precisely before. I just checked with a level and by eye. Also thought it could be the walls.

 

[marp68]

This is how it looked during construction. The wall on the left is aerated concrete while on the right is concrete that is load-bearing. So, I placed studs on each side to fill the gap and attached the frame to them.

 

[Tompafix]

This is how it looked during the construction. The wall on the left is lightweight concrete while on the right is concrete that is load-bearing. So I put studs on each side to fill the gap and secured the frame to them.

Is the door catching at the bottom or on the lower side of the door?

 

[marp68]

Is it hitting the door at the bottom or on the side?

On the side if I understand you correctly. See pictures. I actually think it might be the studs that have swollen. And because I don't have any baseboard between the lower frame sides, the studs there have been able to expand outward and push out the lower parts of the frame sides. At the top, the upper horizontal frame part holds against it and prevents the studs from expanding and pushing out the upper frame sides. Does that sound logical? The studs seemed a bit moist still, as they usually are when completely fresh. I should have thought of that.

I will wait until fall/winter and see if it goes back. Maybe try with a baseboard next summer and see if there is any change. Since I don't want any baseboard, I'm not quite sure what to do. In the worst case, I'll have to take everything apart and replace the studs with ones that have really dried out properly first.

 

[Tompafix]

Can't you just adjust the frame with the frame screw then?

 

[krill7]

What does the gap look like on the hinge side?

 

[marp68]

Can't you just adjust the frame with the frame screw then?

Unfortunately, there's no more space at the bottom. It was an exact fit there. It's against the studs on both sides. However, at the top, there's room for adjustment. And it was tight from the beginning.

 

[marp68]

What does the gap look like on the hinge side?

The hinges ensure that it functions to close. The space is the same as before because of the hinges.

 

[krill7]

The hinges ensure that it functions to close. The space is the same as before because of the hinges.

Are the gaps straight on the hinge side? Or is there a smaller gap at the bottom, or alternatively at the top?

 

[marp68]

Are the gaps straight on the hinge side? Or is there less space at the bottom, or at the top?

When I look now, it's actually tight under the lower hinge as well.

 

[krill7]

When I check now, it is actually tight under the lower hinge as well.

so it's tight on both sides at the bottom? Then it's probably time to take out the spirit level and see which of the frame sides has shifted.

 

[marp68]

so it's tight on both sides at the bottom? Then it's probably time to take out the level and see which of the frame sides has changed.

Already done. Both sides show an extremely marginal half mm difference. Unfortunately, I only remember that it looked good enough during installation, as the door gap looked fine, the door could close, and I also used my eye with the level.

I also already know that the frames are pressing inward at the bottom. The question is whether it's the frame sides or the new studs I mounted them on that have either swollen or shifted in some other way. Or something else I haven't thought of. I'm also considering waiting until fall to see what happens when the weather gets colder.

 

[marp68]

Just wanted to inform everyone who kindly took the time for feedback and tips.

This winter, the door could close again. It was either the frame or the studs it was mounted in that had expanded a bit last summer. Since there wasn't enough margin to adjust at the bottom, the plan is to remove the frame and studs. Then remove the construction adhesive I used before screwing the studs into the concrete walls, and then screw them back without adhesive. This way, I'll gain 5 mm on each side, which is enough to create space for adjustment later.

Thanks again and Happy New Year