Scheduled visit
A door binds at the top corner in summer only
A door that swings freely in winter starts catching at the top corner as summer arrives, and needs a shove to close. Come winter, it is fine again. Something is moving with the seasons — the door leaf, the frame, or the wall around it.
Carpentry
Scheduled work. A door or lock that will not secure is prioritised.
Call nowRequest a carpentry visit on WhatsApp01LIKELY CAUSES
What usually sits behind this symptom, and what tells one cause from another.
Timber leaf absorbing humidity when the AC is off
Leaf edge swollen; binding worst after the house has been closed.
Hinges worn or screws loosened, letting the leaf drop
Gap at the top hinge side; screws turn freely.
Frame moving with a wall that expands in the heat
Frame out of square in summer; external wall heating.
02BEFORE ANYONE VISITS
What you can safely check.
- Note exactly where it rubs — mark it with chalk.
- Check whether hinge screws are tight.
- Notice whether it is worse after the villa has been empty with the AC off.
- Avoid planing the door yourself — winter gaps will open up.
03WHAT WE MEASURE
We check the leaf for swelling, the hinges and their fixings, and the frame for square. Adjusting hinges and fixings comes before removing any timber, because planing a door that only binds seasonally leaves an ugly gap in winter.
04IN A VILLA
Villas have many timber doors, including large ones to terraces and gardens, and are often closed up with the AC off while owners travel. Humidity rises, timber swells, and doors that fit perfectly at handover start to bind each summer.
05THE FIX
Which repair, and when.
Forcing a binding door strains hinges and frames and can crack the leaf.
Tighten or pack hinges
The leaf has dropped on worn fixings.
Ease and reseal the edge
The leaf has swollen and needs a small adjustment.
Refix or realign the frame
The frame has moved.
06Typical villa carpentry work
AED 150 – 400 for a door adjustment, AED 300 – 900 for leaf or frame repair
Indicative market ranges, not a quotation — a firm price follows inspection. Wardrobe hinge and runner replacement typically falls between AED 150 and AED 500 per item.
07QUESTIONS
- Should the door just be planed?
- Not first. Hinges and fixings are adjusted before any timber is removed.
- What does carpentry typically cost?
- Our published band is AED 150 – 400 for a door adjustment and AED 300 – 900 for leaf or frame repair.