If you have found recently that your door has been harder to open, you are not alone. In the summer months, the intense heat can cause wood to expand, making it more difficult to open and close your doors and/or windows. This is due to the humidity in the air. Wood is porous and tends to absorb moisture. When it is extra humid, wooden doors and window panes suck in the moisture and expand, causing them to stick a bit more when trying to open them. When this happens, the wood will expand so far that it no longer fully fits in its frame and may need a bit more force to open and close it.
Is this permanent?
Not necessarily. Usually, the wood will shrink once more either when it dries out, or when it gets cold again. The cold air does not hold as much moisture, making it easier for the wood to hold its shape. You also might try keeping a dehumidifier by the problem area to avoid as much moisture collecting and forcing the wood to expand.
The only time that wood will not contract again is if it has expanded so far that it is permanently damaged. While this is more rare, it does happen. If this is the case, and you have had an ongoing issue that will not return back to normal with each season, then it makes sense to start pricing out replacements. Again, this is not super common, but it does happen. If you find yourself in this situation, you can call your local professionals to inquire about any questions you have. As always, you are more than welcome to give us a call as well with questions and we are happy to help! Stay cool out there, and enjoy the rest of your summer.
