When a door starts sticking, it is tempting to grab sandpaper and remove wood until it shuts. That can fix the symptom while creating a new gap. First determine exactly where it rubs and what moved.
Find the contact point
Open and close the door slowly while watching the reveal—the gap between door and jamb. Look for polished paint, scrape marks, compressed weatherstripping, or one spot that touches first. Sliding a piece of paper around the perimeter can help identify a tight area.
Check hinges before removing wood
Tighten hinge screws, especially at the top hinge. A door that sags only a fraction of an inch can rub at the opposite corner and look oversized even though the slab itself is fine.
If screws will not tighten, repair the screw holes first. Sanding a sagging door creates unnecessary clearance after the hinge is corrected.
Humidity can change a wood door
If the problem appears only in humid weather, the door may be swelling. This Old House identifies moisture as a common cause of sticking wood doors. Better ventilation or humidity control may reduce the seasonal change.
Look for paint buildup
Heavy paint on the door edge or jamb can take away the small clearance the door needs. If sticking began after repainting, excess finish may be the real high spot.
Sand or plane only the confirmed area
Once hinges are tight and the jamb is reasonably aligned, mark the exact high spot. Remove a very small amount of material, test, and repeat. On exterior doors or moisture-prone edges, reseal exposed wood so it does not absorb water.
A big change may point beyond the door
If several doors suddenly stick, new wall cracks appear, or the frame is visibly distorted, stop trimming individual slabs. Seasonal humidity may be involved, but structural movement or a warped jamb may need a closer look.
Preserve a small, even gap
A door needs some clearance for normal movement and seasonal changes. The goal is not a large gap; it is a door that follows its path without rubbing.
Sources
- This Old House — How to Fix a Door That Sticks — Guidance on moisture, rubbing points, and correcting sticking doors.