How to Fix a Sagging Door — Metal Frame Repair with Reinforcement Hinges
Door sag is a common problem with wide, heavy, or older doors that use standard door hinges. Mild cases are easily fixed by replacing worn or damaged hinges. For severely sagging wood or metal doors with metal door frames — common in commercial buildings — the solution is a reinforcement hinge installed at the top of the door.
The Fix
Sagging Door Reinforcement Hinge
Installs at the top of the door to add a heavy-duty pivot point that stops sagging on hollow metal, wood, and aluminum storefront doors. No door replacement needed.
✔ Works on hollow metal, wood & aluminum doors
✔ Repairs severe sag without door replacement
✔ Heavy-duty pivot support at top of door
✔ Ideal for wide & heavy commercial doors
The Problem
Why metal-framed doors sag
Metal door frames have hinge mounting plates that are either spot welded (hollow metal frames) or screwed in (aluminum frames) inside for each door hinge. Hollow metal doors use the same hinge mounting plates welded inside the door. With most of the door's weight supported by the uppermost hinge, it is not uncommon for the hinge mounting plates, metal door frame, and/or the hollow metal door itself to bend — causing the latch side of the door to hit the frame at the top and the threshold at the bottom.
Hinge mounting plate
Signs of door sag
• Latch side of door hits the frame at the top
• Door drags on the threshold at the bottom
• Visible scrape marks on frame or door edge
• Door won't latch or close properly
Latch side hitting frame at top
Scrape marks from hitting frame
Pictured above is a standard 3'0" (36" wide) hollow metal commercial entry door with a sag condition caused by bent hinge mounting plates. The top of the door is severely hitting the metal door frame. The fix: install a reinforcement hinge at the top of the door.
The Fix
How to install a reinforcement hinge to stop door sag
Reinforcement hinges (also known as reinforcement pivot hinges) are used on wide or heavy doors to prevent door sag and, as in this case, to repair a sagging hollow metal door. Installing one adds a heavy-duty pivot point at the very top of the door to support the door's weight.
Reinforcement hinge installed at top of door
Good to know
Reinforcement hinges are not just for hollow metal doors. They can also be used on wood doors and aluminum storefront doors.
Before and after
After installing the reinforcement hinge, the top of the door is now properly aligned with the door frame.
Before
After
Shop the Fix
Sagging Door Reinforcement Hinge
The exact reinforcement hinge used in this guide. Installs at the top of the door to add a heavy-duty pivot point that stops sagging on hollow metal, wood, and aluminum storefront doors. No door replacement needed.
✔ Works on hollow metal, wood & aluminum doors
✔ Repairs severe sag without door replacement
✔ Adds heavy-duty pivot support at top of door
✔ Ideal for wide & heavy commercial doors
Need help?
Questions about fixing a sagging door? Contact us and we'll help you find the right solution. Browse our full hinge collection or return to the Help Center.