Instructions: Set the front door

A jamming, squeaking or not properly closing front door is annoying! You go through it several times a day and each time the anger grows again. A house door can be set quite quickly on your own. We show you how it works.

Table of contents Table of contents Setting the front door: You can do this with these instructions

• Setting options for front doors
• You need it
• How do you correct the height of the front door?
• Adjusting the front door: side adjustment
• Set the contact pressure of the front door

Table of contents Table of contents Setting the front door: You can do this with these instructions

• Setting options for front doors
• You need it
• How do you correct the height of the front door?
• Adjusting the front door: side adjustment
• Set the contact pressure of the front door

Setting options for front doors

You can use a short check to determine whether your front door needs to be set correctly:

• Does the door drag on the flooring?
• Is the door stuck?
• Doesn't it close properly or only with firm emphasis?
• Do you feel a draft on the outside of the door leaf?

All of these problems can be solved by simple readjustment. For this purpose, the three adjustment options height, side and contact pressure are individually adjusted.

Modern doors are all built using a similar mechanism. It is irrelevant whether it is an aluminum, wooden or plastic door. The functionality of old doors and custom-made products can differ from current doors. If it is not possible to set your own input for such front doors, a specialist company should be commissioned.

You need it

• Allen key
• screwdriver
• Spirit level
• Folding rule
• Small ladder or step

Typical positions of the height and side adjustment screws.

Photo: Porta

How do you correct the height of the front door?

If the floor covering is sanded or the door is stuck to the upper door frame, the cause is usually the height adjustment of the front door. The relevant set screws can be found on the door hinge elements that are attached to the door frame. The basic setting of the front door is within a range of -1 millimeter and +5 millimeter.

1. You start with the lowest hinge, the middle hinge as the second and the top hinge is adjusted last.
2. The adjustment screws are usually hidden optically. Therefore, the cover caps of the door hinges or the cover plugs of the set screws must be removed first. The screws are then at the top or bottom.

3. With the Allen key, the adjusting screw is turned according to the required correction:

   Clockwise: The door leaf moves up.

   Counterclockwise: The door wing moves down.

Please note: The weight of the door must be distributed evenly across all door hinges. If the front door then opens and closes smoothly and no longer rubs on the floor, it is set at the correct height.

Adjusting the front door: side adjustment

Now align the front door wing. The adjustment screws for the side adjustment are located on the side of the door hinge elements that are attached to the door leaf. The basic setting of the sides is usually between -5 millimeters and +5 millimeters.

1. These screws are also visually hidden, usually with a small cover cap. Depending on the door model, the cover caps are also attached with a small clamping screw. To do this, open the door; the clamping screws are in the opened hinge.

2. These screws are also adjusted with the Allen key.

   Clockwise: the door leaf moves in the direction of the hinge.

   Counter-clockwise: the door leaf moves away from the hinge.

3. Use the spirit level to level the door leaf. Remember to check the orientation of the door from the side, top and bottom.
4. All hinges must be adjusted evenly so that there is no tension inside the door.
5. Also check whether an additional correction has to be made in the height adjustment and whether the weight of the door rests evenly on all door hinges.

Tip: You can check how your front door sits in the frame as follows: With the door closed, mark three to four fine markings along the door on the frame with a pencil. Then open the front door and, based on the distance between the lines and the opening, you can see whether your door is straight or slanted in the frame.

With this hinge variant, the contact pressure screws sit between the door leaf and door frame when the door is open.

Photo: Porta

Set the contact pressure of the front door

Now the contact pressure is set. This affects how easily or firmly a door can be closed or how much it has to be closed. The screws for the contact pressure are usually on the opposite side of the screws for the height.

1. If this has not yet been done, the door hinge cover must also be removed.
2. Depending on the type of front door, it is possible that the clamping screw must first be loosened before you can reach the adjusting screws for the contact pressure.
3. Adjust the contact pressure evenly on all hinges.
4. The front door is set correctly when it can be closed with slight pressure and no gaps can be seen. However, the door must not be too tight, otherwise there is too much pressure on the seal. This will permanently damage it.

With some door models, the contact pressure on the striking plates is adjusted. Remember to adjust all sheets evenly.

Tip 1: in the dark, check from the outside whether there is light from somewhere on the side of the house.

Tip 2: Especially on windy days you can drive along the front door with a candle or a tealight and examine it for drafts.

For front doors that cannot be adjusted using these three adjustment options, there are two alternatives depending on the type of door:

1. The height of the front door can be varied by inserting spacer rings, so-called fitschen rings.
2. Solid wood doors grazing over the floor covering can be sanded down.

Your newly set front door welcomes you and your visit again.

Photo: iStock / Jason Finn

Tip: Would you have thought that saving energy with a correctly set door? Windows and front doors are often the thermal weak points of a building. However, this is usually not due to a lack of insulation, but to an incorrect setting of the respective element. You can also save money with a properly adjusted front door.

A fully functional front door not only requires the correct setting, but also the right care. If possible, microfiber cloths should be avoided, as these can scratch the surface of the front door. Plastic and aluminum house doors are wiped with warm water and a cotton cloth. A mild detergent (e.g. detergent) can be added here. Wooden doors also need to be cleaned regularly. Note that these are only wiped with a damp cloth and not with a wet cloth.

Alina Günder