Don't Ruin Your New Door Frame With Unprotected Hangers And Hooks

Replacing the door frame on a doorway isn't the hardest home improvement task you can do, but it's not the easiest either. It's not something you want to have to repeat. If you've just replaced (or had replaced) one of the door frames in your home, take care of it -- don't let it get damaged by anything you might put on the door. Over-the-door hangers and coat hooks are good examples of things that can cause damage. However, those are also really helpful items -- so how do you use them without damaging the door? Here are a few tactics to  preserve the look of your door and door frame.

Moleskin Padding

Keeping the brackets of the hanger or rack padded will prevent scratches along the door and door frame. Take moleskin -- the stuff you put on your heels and toes to prevent blisters -- and cut some rough shapes out. Pad the hooks on both sides as well as any contact points on the rack. There should be no metal or plastic contacting the door or frame -- just the fuzzy moleskin shapes.

Matte Paint

It's not that common, but some paint jobs on doors are done using glossy paint. This is a little more common on some bathroom doors, but bedroom doors, for example, are usually painted with matte paint. If, for some reason, you have thicker glossy paint on the door, get the door and frame repainted with thinner matte paint. The glossy paint can stick to things that rest against it for a while, and when those things are moved, the paint stretches and tears. If the over-the-door hook is on a closet door that isn't opened a lot, for example, then even the moleskin can stick to glossy paint.

Coat Rack Cape

While not exactly a cape, some sort of protective layer between the door and whatever is on the rack can help prevent damage. Purses, jacket buttons, and other items can scratch the door, so hanging something like a decorative sheet as a backdrop on the rack will provide a soft layer between the items on the rack and the paint on the door.

Balance the Weight

If you place items that are too heavy on the rack, they can pull on the door and the hinges. That can bend the screws and hinges over time and damage the door frame. Don't place very heavy items, or a lot of items, on the rack, and keep the weight relatively evenly distributed.

If you notice the door starting to behave strangely or if you see marks on the frame, remove the hooks or rack immediately. Contact a door replacement company to have the frame and door evaluated for damage. The sooner you stop damage from progressing, the easier it will be to fix the damage and have a great-looking door and door frame again.

Share