You know that feeling when your door just won’t close right? Maybe it sticks a little, or you have to give it a good shove to latch it. Or maybe you’ve noticed a draft sneaking in, or a sliver of daylight peeking through the edges. It might seem like a small annoyance—but it could be a sign of a bigger issue: door misalignment.
In a place like Medicine Hat, where we experience everything from dry prairie winds to humid summer days and freezing winter nights, your doors go through a lot. Over time, even the best-installed doors can shift out of alignment. And when they do, it’s not just inconvenient—it can affect your home’s security, energy efficiency, and even your wallet.
At Align Doors and Maintenance, we specialize in diagnosing and fixing door alignment issues for both residential and commercial properties across Medicine Hat. Let’s walk through how to spot a misaligned door, why it matters, and what you can do about it.
What Causes Door Misalignment?
Doors don’t just go out of alignment for no reason. Here are some of the most common culprits:
Foundation Settling
As your home ages, the foundation can shift slightly—especially in areas with clay-heavy soil like Medicine Hat. This subtle movement can throw your door frames out of square.
Weather and Humidity
Summer heat and humidity can cause wood to expand, while cold winters can make it contract. These seasonal changes can warp doors or frames over time.
Wear and Tear
Every time you open and close a door, the hinges, screws, and latches experience stress. Over years of use, this can lead to sagging or shifting.
Improper Installation
Sometimes, the issue starts from day one. If a door wasn’t installed correctly, it’s more likely to develop alignment problems down the road.
How to Tell If Your Door Is Misaligned
Not sure if your door is out of alignment? Here are some telltale signs to watch for:
Difficulty Locking or Latching
If you have to lift, push, or wiggle the door to get it to lock, something’s off. The latch and strike plate should line up perfectly.
Light Shining Through the Edges
Stand inside during the day and look around the edges of your door. If you see light coming through, there’s a gap—and that means your door isn’t sealing properly.
Drafts or Moisture
Feel a breeze near your door? Notice water pooling after a rainstorm? Misalignment can break the seal and let the elements in.
Visible Gaps or Uneven Spacing
Look closely at the space between the door and the frame. If it’s wider at the top than the bottom (or vice versa), your door is likely misaligned.
Uneven Wear on Weatherstripping
If one side of your weatherstripping is worn down more than the other, your door might be rubbing or not closing evenly.
Why Fixing It Matters
It’s easy to ignore a slightly sticky door—but here’s why you shouldn’t:
Security
A misaligned door is easier to force open. If the lock doesn’t engage properly, your home or business is more vulnerable to break-ins.
Energy Efficiency
Gaps around your door let in hot air in the summer and cold air in the winter. That means your HVAC system has to work harder—and your energy bills go up.
Pest Prevention
Even a small gap is an open invitation for ants, spiders, and other creepy crawlers. Proper alignment helps keep them out.
Preventing Further Damage
The longer you wait, the worse it gets. Misalignment puts extra stress on hinges, latches, and the door itself, leading to more costly repairs down the line.
How Align Doors and Maintenance Fixes It
When you call us for a door alignment service, we don’t just eyeball it and call it a day. Our experienced technicians take a thorough, professional approach to ensure your door is perfectly aligned and functioning like new.
Here’s what we do:
Inspect the Door and Frame
We start by identifying the root cause of the misalignment—whether it’s a warped frame, loose hinges, or foundation movement.
Adjust Hinges, Strike Plates, and Latches
We realign all the hardware so your door closes smoothly and locks securely.
Replace Worn Weatherstripping
If your seals are damaged or uneven, we’ll replace them to restore a tight, energy-efficient seal.
Test for Smooth Operation
We make sure your door opens and closes effortlessly, without sticking, dragging, or slamming.
Commercial Overhead Door Alignment
It’s not just residential doors that need attention. If you run a business in Medicine Hat, your overhead doors are critical to your operations. Misalignment in these large doors can lead to:
- Operational delays
- Increased energy costs
- Safety hazards for staff
- Security vulnerabilities
We offer professional alignment services for commercial overhead doors, ensuring they operate safely, efficiently, and reliably—whether you’re running a warehouse, auto shop, or retail space.
Why Medicine Hat Homeowners and Businesses Trust Us
We’re proud to be a locally owned and operated business serving the Medicine Hat community. Our team understands the unique challenges of our climate and building styles, and we bring that knowledge to every job.
When you work with Align Doors and Maintenance, you get:
- Fast, friendly service
- Experienced technicians
- Transparent pricing
- Long-lasting results
We don’t just fix doors—we help protect your home or business.
Don’t Let a Misaligned Door Compromise Your Property
If your door isn’t closing right, don’t wait for it to get worse. A quick fix today can save you from a costly repair tomorrow—not to mention the peace of mind that comes with knowing your property is secure and energy-efficient.
📞 Call Align Doors and Maintenance today at 403-952-6127
🌐 Or visit us online at aligndoors.ca to schedule your service.
Let’s get your doors back in line—so you can get back to enjoying everything Medicine Hat has to offer.
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