How To Patch A Hole In A Wood Door

A hole in a door is unsightly. But should you replace it now and buy a new one? No! We have researched how you can fill that hole and make it look like nothing happened. Here is what you should do:

Patching a hole depends on whether it is solid or hollow wood. To fix a hollow wood door, you will need to:

  • Remove the door and lay it on a surface.
  • Clean the hole's edges and put cardboard around the inside of the hole before filling it with foam. Fill gaps.
  • Sand and clean them once dry before painting. 

When it comes to solid door cracks:

  • Clean its edges first.
  • Cut the fiber string into lengths and soak it in glue.
  • Insert them in the crack and allow them to dry.
  • Once all dry, clean the area before filling with putty.
  • Wait for it to dry also before sanding and painting the spot. 

Is it still confusing? Do not worry! All the steps, along with the materials and tools you will need. After that, how about a door makeover? We still have a lot to talk about, so we should start!

a collage of two different doors, How To Patch A Hole In A Wood Door

Patching A Wood Door's Hole

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Wooden plank background, clipping path included

A good thing to know is that you do not need to be a professional to accomplish this task. All you need is to follow all the instructions here carefully. 

But first thing's first. Do you know whether your wood door is solid or hollow? You have to identify it to apply the right solution. Refer to the methods to know.

  • Swing the door. Lift it if it's not hung yet. A hollow door is light and easy to swing. If it is heavy, then it is solid. 
  • Is the panel real? Then that is solid wood. 
  • Look at the color. Hollow wood is typically painted, while solid wood is usually stained. 

Filling Up A Hollow Wood Door

Step One

Remove the door from the frame. Get any thick and strong material that can fit in the space between the bottom of your door and the ground. A book can be a good choice. Slide it in to serve as support when you start removing the pins. It is best to start in the middle if you have three pins. If there are two, take off the bottom one first.

Without it, the door will likely turn or shift all its weight on the remaining hinges, making it harder to push them loose. After that, position the nail punch below the pin's head. Hold it steady while tapping its handle with a hammer to push it up. 

If you are having difficulty doing so, spray a WD-40 or any lubricant. Once a few centimeters of the pin's body is visible, insert a screwdriver to push it out. Do the same with the rest of the hinges.

Check out this lubricant spray on Amazon.

Step 2

In this step, you may want to ask for assistance to carry the door and lay it down on a clean, flat surface. 

Step 3

Using the putty knife, scrape the outline of the hole to remove any protruding or sharp wood bits. Be careful to prevent the damage from getting bigger. If you have to, you can use nose pliers to do this instead. Anything that will make the cleaning easier. 

Step 4

Measure the hole depth and cut the cardboard a little narrower than that. Then, put it inside the hole as if it is a cavity for the foam. 

Step 5

Put a strip of masking tape in the outline of the hole to prevent the foam from sticking. 

Step 6

Fill that cavity you made with low expansion foam. Do not fill it all the way. This will still expand as it dries. Remove any excess amount with a putty knife.

Check out this low expansion foam on Amazon.

Step 7

Once the foam is completely dry, you can now remove the masking tape and look for any gap that has to be sealed. If there is, use a plastic wood filler. Make sure that you will spread it evenly. 

Check out this wood filler on Amazon.

Step 8

To ensure that the sealant and foam are leveled to the door's surface, sand it using 220-grit sandpaper. This will also prepare the spot for painting. 

Check out this sandpaper on Amazon.

Step 9

Clean the area using a vacuum and a towel until all the dust is eliminated. 

Step 10

Once everything is nice, dry, and clean. You can now start painting it the same color as your door. Apply as many coats as needed. 

Step 11

Attach the door back in reverse of how you removed it. However, you should still lay the height support first to make the installation easier. 

Not sure about the proper way of painting your newly patched door? Read this: How To Paint A Wooden Door [Inc. In White]

Filling Up A Solid Wood Door

  • Clean the area, especially the outline of the crack, with a utility knife. 
  • Measure the length of the hole or crack, then cut the natural fiber strings [as many as you need] a few more than that.
  • Soak the strings in glue [preferably Elmer's] and let them absorb the liquid.

Check out this glue on Amazon.

  • Carefully insert the first glue-soaked string in alignment with the top of the crack or hole. Push it in but not too much to the extent that it will go out of the other side of the door. Add more strings until it will perfectly fill the gap. Wait for it to be completely dry.
  • Once you are sure that it is not wet anymore, wipe off the dried glue around the area of the crack as well as the spot where the dried strings are with a clean paper towel.
  • Inspect for any gaps left and fill them with putty. Using the putty knife, spread it evenly to eliminate any bumps on the surface. Allow it to harden and dry.

Check out this putty on Amazon.

  • Smoothen the spot where the dried putty is with 220-grit sandpaper. Once it is flattened, clean off the dust using a damp clean towel. This method removes the particle better since it takes them away, unlike a dry towel.
  • Start painting it the same as the rest of the door to mask the repair. 

See? Filling in a wood door hole is easy, right? If you can do this, then you can do the next idea that we will talk about. Well, your door's now hole-free, so how about going all out in making it look pretty?

Door Design Ideas

Vector illustration of a wooden door flat design concept with different colors and shapes

If you paint the spot you patched on your door, the fresh coat might be apparent. The good news is there are many designs you can do to give your door a glow-up. We will present some for you. Who knows, maybe one of them will interest and inspire you for your next project. 

Golden linings

If you want a sophisticated and luxurious-looking door, you can paint golden lines on it. You can be creative in creating the pattern that you will do. Whether they are straight, intersecting, or slanted. Honestly, your imagination is the limit. 

Mural 

Have you ever seen a dining room door leading to ancient times? You can go wherever you want with a mural. If you are not after the path concept, you can paint anything that will stir up anyone's fantasy.

Over The Top Doorknob

If you only want a simple, plain-colored door, you can still give it an impact by installing a sculpted door knob. This simple element can level up your door's appearance. 

Minimal Patterns

You can be anything between the designs above by sticking or painting simple patterns across or on one of your door's sides. It will make the entrance unique. 

Want more decorating ideas for your bedroom door? Check them out here: How To Decorate A Bedroom Door: 11 Great Ideas!

How Much To Paint A Door

Mature Adult Female Painting Door White with Paint Roller

The price of hiring a professional to paint your door depends on where it is situated. Interior doors can cost from $75 to $150. Meanwhile, the charge for an exterior door is more expensive at $100 to $225

Conclusion

Condensation cause mold and moisture in the house

Patching your wooden door's hole depends on what kind it is. You must fill the cavity with low expansion foam if the material is hollow. Meanwhile, solid wood can be fixed by inserting a glue-soaked natural fiber string into the gap. 

You can always give your door a makeover by painting lines, patterns, or a mural. If you do not prefer that, installing a sculpted door knob can be an alternative. 

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