I've been doing some research lately because, you know, we live in an area that's pretty prone to earthquakes, and after the last little shake-up we had a couple months ago, I started thinking about how sturdy our doors actually are. I mean, doors aren't exactly the first thing you think of when prepping for an earthquake, but turns out they're pretty important.
Anyway, I talked to a friend who's into construction and he gave me a few pointers on how to reinforce doors so they don't jam or warp during an earthquake. Here's what I've done so far:
First, I swapped out the regular hinges with heavy-duty steel hinges. Apparently, standard hinges can easily bend or warp under stress, making it impossible to open the door afterward. The new hinges are way thicker and feel super solid.
Next, I reinforced the door frame itself. My buddy suggested adding metal reinforcement plates around the strike plate area and along the top corners of the frame. It wasn't too complicated—just had to drill them in place—but it definitely feels sturdier now.
I also replaced the standard latch plate screws with longer ones that go deeper into the studs behind the frame. Honestly, this was probably the easiest step but apparently makes a huge difference if things start shaking.
Lastly, I installed a flexible weather stripping around the edges of the door. This helps prevent dust and debris from getting jammed in there during shaking (which apparently is a common reason doors get stuck).
So far, everything seems solid and secure. But I'm no expert—this is just stuff I pieced together from online articles and my friend's advice. Has anyone else tried reinforcing their doors for earthquakes? Maybe you've got some tips or tricks I haven't thought of yet...
Nice job on the upgrades—I did something similar last year after a close call. A friend of mine mentioned that doors getting stuck is actually pretty common, especially if your house shifts even slightly. I didn't go as far as swapping hinges (yet), but I did put in longer screws on the latch plate and reinforced the frame with metal brackets. Seems solid enough for now, and it didn't break the bank either.
One thing I wonder about though—interior doors. I've mostly focused on exterior doors, but now I'm thinking about bedroom or bathroom doors. If those jammed during a quake, it could be a serious problem getting out. Maybe reinforcing interior frames or swapping out hinges there would be worth considering too? Curious if anyone's tackled that yet...
"Maybe reinforcing interior frames or swapping out hinges there would be worth considering too?"
I get the concern, but honestly, interior doors might not need that much attention. My house is over a century old and has been through its share of shakes. Exterior doors definitely needed reinforcement, but interior doors usually have enough play to avoid serious jams. If you're worried, maybe just keep a pry bar or small crowbar handy in bedrooms or bathrooms instead of going all-in on upgrades? Cheaper and simpler, IMO.
I see your point about interior doors, but have you considered how older homes might differ structurally from newer builds? My last flip was a 1920s bungalow, and yeah, those interior doors had plenty of give. But in a recent 90s build I worked on, the interior frames were surprisingly rigid and jammed up pretty bad after a minor quake. Maybe it's worth checking how your home's framing style affects door flexibility before deciding either way...?
