Stuck French Doors

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Author Message   akl Citizen Username: Akl Post Number: 30 Registered: 8-2002 Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2003 - 3:13 pm:        Our French Doors are stuck so tightly you can't even work a putty knife into the crack. I can only apply force from one side (the pull side) and I can't pull the door handle any harder without damaging it. I would like to avoid installing another (second) pull handle, if possible. Any clever/brilliant tricks for solving this are greatly appreciated!!!   alison Citizen Username: Alison Post Number: 46 Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 10:07 am:        Perhaps you could try a dehumidifier nearby with the hope that by drying out wood they will contract enough to make it easier to open.   Wilkanoid Citizen Username: Cseleosida Post Number: 60 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 11:24 am:        Have you tried taking the hinges off yet? Maybe you need to shave the door so it will open more easily.   akl Citizen Username: Akl Post Number: 31 Registered: 8-2002 Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 9:57 pm:        Thanks for the suggestions. I haven't resorted to removing the hinges, yet. Don't think the dehumidifier would work -- but I guess it's worth a try.   akl Citizen Username: Akl Post Number: 32 Registered: 8-2002 Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 9:59 pm:        Thanks for the suggestions. I haven't resorted to removing the hinges, yet. Don't think the dehumidifier would work -- but I guess it's worth a try.   Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 1802 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 5:12 pm:        A few thoughts: Do you also have this problem in cold weather? High temperatures in the summer can cause wood to swell. I've noticed that some of our exterior doors are harder to open during the summer months. How much paint or other finish is on the doors? Is there any paint visible in the crack between the doors and the frames? Once you manage to get the doors open, you might try removing any excess layers of paint. Also, some paint can become sticky in summer, another possible cause of sticky doors. Are the doors hung properly? Repositioning the hinges may make it easier to open and close the doors.