Just finished a job where I tried two ways to hang a heavy door

On one side, I used the standard 3-inch screws that came with the hinge. On the other, I switched to 4-inch structural screws that go right into the framing. After a week, the side with the short screws already had a tiny bit of sag, you could see a sliver of light at the top. The long screw side is solid as a rock. Has anyone else run into this on exterior doors, or is it just me?

3 comments

3 Comments

jade8852mo ago

Ever wonder why they even include those short screws? I had the same exact thing happen on a front door last month. The long ones are the only way to go for real.

noahclark2mo ago

Honestly jade885, those short screws have a real job though. They're just for holding the lock plate to the door itself, not for security. The long ones are for going into the frame, but the short ones are faster for the initial install. Tbh, using only long screws for everything can sometimes split the wood on cheaper doors. They include both for a reason.

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michael8951mo ago

Read something saying short screws reduce stress on the door jamb so it doesn't warp over time.