The sound of a squeaking door can get to your nerves every time you have to open and close it. How do you stop the noise and are there any special considerations when you have a composite door? We've asked our door experts, and here's what they say.
To stop your composite door from creaking and squeaking, you need to lubricate the hinges by following these steps:
- Choose the right lubricant.
- Remove the hinge pin.
- Lubricate it along with the hinge plates.
- Put the pin back in place.
- Let the grease work its way all throughout the hinge.
Continue reading so we can share more tips with you on how to lubricate and finally eliminate the squeaking sound in your composite door. We'll also tell you if composite doors are worth your money. Let's get rolling!
How do I fix a creaking noise in my door?
Your lovely composite doors aren't immune from that irritating squeaking and irritating sound. This is caused by friction as two or more parts rub together. Dirt and grime that have accumulated over time are the main culprits here.
Thankfully, it is fairly easy to resolve so you can have a squeak-free door in no time. You don't even need to remove the door from its frame or hire a professional to do the job. You just need to clean and lubricate your door hinges to get rid of the annoying sound each time you open and close your door.
How do you lubricate composite door hinges?
Lubrication is part of the proper maintenance of your composite door. It is recommended that you grease its moving parts, including the door hinges.
Here's how to lubricate the hinges on your composite door properly:
- Choose the right hinge lubricant. There are different hinge lubricants available in the market. However, not all of them are suitable to use on your composite door. Some may even damage its surfaces so be sure to choose a mild and non-abrasive product for this task.
- Remove the hinge pin on your door. This is what holds the hinge plates together and what keeps the door attached to the wall. You can use long pliers or a screwdriver to pull out the pin.
- Use a paper towel or an old cloth to remove the grime and old grease from the hinge pin and door hinges. Make sure that all components are clean before you proceed to greasing them.
- Apply an appropriate amount of lubricant on every surface of the hinge pin and hinges.
- Put the hinge pin back in its proper position. Make sure that it is securely in place.
- Open and close the door repeatedly to let the lubricant penetrate all the parts of the door hinge. If the door is still noisy, you might have to repeat the whole process until the squeaky noise disappears.
- Wipe away any excess oil that found its way around the hinge area. It will only attract dirt and grime which will make your door squeaky again after just a short amount of time.
That's it! Simple and easy steps to follow to make your composite door free of that irritating sound whenever you have to use it.
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Best Lubricant For Squeaky Door Hinges
As we have discussed earlier, the first step to the proper lubrication of your door hinge is choosing the right greasing product for the job. Here are the most recommended lubricants to make your door hinges squeak-free:
Door Ease Stick Lubricant
This is a no-mess dry-film lubricant that's easy and safe to apply on metal, glass, wood, rubber, or plastic. It is also weather-proof and will help prevent premature wear and tear of your door hinges.
Click here to see this stick lubricant on Amazon.
DuPont Teflon Non-Stick Dry Film-Lubricant
This lubricant is a best-seller because it has a long-lasting effect. It is safe to use on different surfaces because it doesn't contain any silicone. It leaves a protective coating that can withstand extreme temperatures.
Click here to see this non-stick lubricant on Amazon.
3-in-1 Multi-Purpose Oil
This one is a classic and has long been entrusted in keeping different moving parts properly lubricated. It also helps clean and protect these components from rust and corrosion. You can apply it with less the mess because it comes with an easy-to-use drip spout and squeeze bottle.
Click here to see this product on Amazon.
CRC Heavy Duty Silicone Lubricant
This heavy duty lubricant works overtime to ensure that there are no more squeaks and binding caused by too much friction. The film is odorless, water-resistant, and clean. It works well on metal, rubber, and wood surfaces.
Click here to see this lubricant on Amazon.
Can you use WD-40 on a composite door?
Choosing the right products will help you maintain the great quality of your composite door. Remember to only use light engineering oil products that won't harm its surfaces. Be careful about using products that may do more harm than good to your lovely door!
Door experts don't recommend using WD-40 on composite doors. It tends to dry out sooner than other lubricants and thus, won't be able to lubricate your door hinges for long. Soon enough, you'll be having squeaky doors again.
Aside from this, WD40 also attracts dirt and dust on the surfaces where you apply it. This will leave your composite door looking nasty because of the black streaks that can be seen on its hinges and exterior.
Are composite doors worth the money?
There's no doubt about it. Composite doors are exquisitely beautiful and add character to a house. But they come at a rather hefty price. If you're seriously thinking about getting one for your house, here are some of the reasons that make these doors worth every penny:
Curb Appeal
Composite doors are very versatile. They can come in contemporary or traditional designs that will complement the overall look of your house. They are also available in different hues and their colors do not fade with the passing of time.
Quality Insulation
These doors have excellent thermal efficiency. They are effective in insulating your home so no matter what the weather is outside, you're perfectly comfy inside. They also help in reducing outside noise.
This means that you get to save on your electricity costs because they make your energy consumption so efficient!
Low Maintenance
Composite doors require little maintenance. Their colors don't fade and they aren't prone to warping and cracking. All it takes to have your door looking like new every time is regular cleaning with a damp cloth and some mild soap.
Strong And Durable
These are the main qualities you should be looking for in a door, right? You've got them in composite doors. They are built to last with a strong exterior, insulating foam at the core, multi-layered composition with expanded mesh reinforcement. They can withstand harsh elements no matter where you live.
Superb Protection
Composite doors come with a strong frame and locks that have enhanced security which will make it doubly hard for intruders to get into your home.
With all these benefits that composite doors offer, it is safe to say that they are worth your money. Buying one is a long-term investment that you won't regret. Besides, the savings that you get from maintenance, repair, and energy costs more than make up for it in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Use the right lubricant to stop the creaking sound in your composite door. Grease and clean the door hinges to have them working perfectly and most of all, noise-free.
If you're also concerned about your doors warping, here are some suggested readings to help you maintain your plywood and oak doors:
