Hardware Basics: Choosing the Right Door Stop

The door stop might be one of the hardest working pieces of hardware in your home. Nothing else stops your door knobs from punching holes in the drywall or keeps your solid oak door in line, and yet, most people take this little piece of hardware for granted.

When it comes to residential door stops, there are two common types: stops that mount on the hinge pin (aptly called hinge pin stops) and stops that mount in the baseboard along the wall. Hinge pin stops are installed by sliding the pin from your hinge through the hole in the stop, and most hinge pin stops feature a threaded post that allows you to adjust how far the door will open. Baseboard-mounted stops are usually made of a solid metal (solid stops) or a coiled steel spring (spring stops).

So, how do you know which stop is the right one for your house?

Consider your door’s location. Do you have the space along the baseboard for a spring or solid stop? If your home has ornate mouldings and baseboards, you may not want to install a stop in the wood. In this case, look at the options for hinge pin stops. Some hinge pin stops, like the Door Protector stop, only touch the trim, instead of touching both the trim and the door. This keeps the stop from harming your door over time.

Your door’s size and weight also determine which stops will work best. Smaller hinge pin stops are best suited to lightweight interior doors. Use solid stops or heavy-duty hinge pin stops for thicker, solid-core doors, and if you choose hinge stops, install them on both the top and bottom hinges if the door is exceptionally heavy.

If your door tends to swing on its own, consider a magnetic stop to hold the door open. You can mount the base of the stop to either the wall or the floor, and then install the stop on the bottom of the door. The powerful magnet will keep your door in place, even on breezy spring days.

Choose door stops in a finish that matches your hinges and door hardware. Also, look for stops with color-matching tips so they coordinate with your home. Spend an hour updating the stops in your home. Your doors – and walls – will thank you!