If you want to know how to fix a hole in a door, you must identify if the door is wooden or hollow. Then, you must follow a certain procedure to make the door look and work like brand new.
The steps on fixing a hole in a wooden door includes preparing the door, filling the hole, sanding the filling, and painting the area. Carefully follow each of these steps to patch a hole in a door.
First, Identify the Type of Door and Hole
The first thing to do when attempting to patch a hole in the door is to determine the kind of door and hole. A different method will be needed if the door is constructed of wood as opposed to a hollow one.
When handling a wooden door, it’s critical to determine the degree of the damage. Repairing small holes caused by screws or nails could call for less work.
Unlike bigger holes brought on by impacts or other causes, it is not the same. The best course of action for hollow doors will depend on the size of the hole and the composition of the door.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Fix a Hole in a Door
Follow this guide to fix your door with a hole in it.
1. Tools You Need
If you want to know how to fix a hole in a door, you should prepare these tools first:
- Wood filler
- Sandpaper
- Putty knife
- Paint
- Paint brush
- Spackling compound
2. Prepare the Door
First, begin by taking off any hardware from wooden doors. These are hinges and doorknobs. This improves access to the affected region.
Then, you must precisely measure the hole’s size. You should also measure the amount of repair required using a tape measure.

Fig – A Hole in a Wooden Door
3. Filling a Wooden Door
Use wood filler to patch any holes in wooden doors. Using a putty knife, gently fill the hole with the wood filler. Make sure it completely fills the area. Applying the filler in stages may be necessary for bigger holes.
This will enable each layer to cure completely before applying the next. Once the hole is filled let the filler dry.
Use a patch if your door has large holes in it. In addition, you can use wood glue in conjunction with wood filler. This added support enables a sturdy and long-lasting repair.
4. Filling a Hollow Door
A different method is needed to repair a hole in a hollow door. You should fill the hole with spackling compound. Be sure to cover the entire area with a putty knife.
For bigger holes, you must apply the compound in stages. Let one layer dry before applying another.
5. Sanding the Area
To smooth the mended area, you should use sandpaper. It produces a smooth finish. Sanding makes sure the restored area looks like the original door.
While sanding, go in the direction of the grain. Continue doing this until the surface is smooth and devoid of any rough areas.

Fig – Sanding a Door
6. Painting the Door
It is best to choose paint that complements the finish of wooden doors. You must apply it to the repaired hole in the door very carefully.
Make sure that the painting blends in with the surrounding region. By using this method, the repair will be almost undetectable.
Tips for Preventing Making a Hole in the Door
There are many proactive steps that that you can take to stop further damage to the door. These are:
- Use doorstops to keep doors from slamming into furnishings and walls.
- Tighten any loose hinges and handles.
- Use a protective sealer on wooden doors to help shield the surface from any harm.
- Put doorknob protectors with the doors to shield the wooden door from harm.
- When hanging things on doors, proceed with caution. Do not hang heavy things from doorknobs or hinges.
- Repair any tiny holes as soon as possible.
- Be mindful of your surroundings while opening and closing doors.
- Verify that there is sufficient space for the door to open and close without colliding with anything.
How to Fix a Hole in a Door – FAQs
Does the repaired area require priming?
Yes, priming the area makes sure that paint sticks to it correctly.
How long time does it take to repair a hole in a door?
Several hours to a day.
How to fix a hole in a door at the edge?
Add additional support with small pieces of wood.
Can I patch a hole in a door with caulk?
You can patch small holes with caulk.
How long should I wait before sanding to let the filler dry?
You should wait a few hours to overnight to let the filler dry.
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