Hollow Door Fix: New Bottom for Hollow Core Doors
Updated: Jun. 12, 2019The next time you have to shorten a hollow-core door, try replacing the bottom rail with expanding foam instead of wood.
Can you trim a hollow core door?
Yes! But the question then becomes, what do you do to re-close the bottom? We’ve got a solution that is easier than reusing the wood block from the piece you cut off.
Hollow door fix
The next time you have to shorten a hollow-core door, try replacing the bottom rail with expanding foam instead of wood.
- Cut the door to the right length.
- Clamp stiff boards to both sides of the bottom (as shown).
- Fill the hollow door bottom with expanding foam insulation.
- After the foam dries, trim off the excess with a utility knife and rehang the door.
Buy a can of spray foam on Amazon now.
Next, check out: Fix Sagging or Sticking Doors
Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Plus: 15 Brilliant Uses for Spray Foam that Will Blow Your Mind
Dull the Noise
Water supply lines can create a racket when in use. To prevent the problem, you can use a small amount of spray insulation foam between pipes and framing to keep the pipe in place and reduce noise. Here's how to do it.
Create an Oasis
Create a backyard masterpiece with our DIY backyard waterfall and stream. To ensure a beautiful flow of water, use waterproof spray foam, to secure decorative rocks and fill gaps to keep water flowing freely.
Don't know which type of spray foam you need for your project? Watch this video:
Firm Up a Wobbly Shower Head
Squirt a little expanding foam around a loose shower arm and it'll be solid as a rock. Let the foam set up until it's stiff and carve off any excess around the shower arm. Slide the cover plate tight to the wall and you'll never know there's foam holding things together. This same trick firms up any other loose or wobbly pipes.
Mind the Gaps
Versatile spray foam is still a go-to solution for insulating and filling gaps in walls, crevices and around windows and doors. For all the tips you need to become a master, check out our article on how to master spray foam.
Carve Spray Foam
There is no shortage of creative uses for spray foam, and carving it is just one of many. Like the toy plane pictured, you can create props, costume accessories, and decor with a little patience and ingenuity.
Protect Breakables
Whether you're sending something fragile in the mail or keeping valuables safe during a move, secure packing is everything. To protect a delicate item, simply fill a spare shopping bag half-full with spray insulation foam and place in the bottom of a box, pressing the item gently into the bag as it hardens to cushion the item. Repeat for the top and you have a DIY custom packaging solution that can handle the rigors of delivery.
Frame It
An ingenious way to frame your original masterpieces is with a spray foam picture frame. All you need for this one-of-a-kind craft is a little cardboard for the frame, spray foam and the spray paint of your choice. Use another piece of cardboard as a picture backing and use finishing nails to finish this instant art. Plus: Watch DIY Picture Frame with Mitered Corners
Shore Up the Tub
If you have a bathtub that flexes underfoot, simply fill it with water to weigh it down, and fill the space underneath with spray foam. Many stand alone tubs have access panels that will allow you to reach these spaces. Otherwise, a small hole in facing drywall can do the trick and will require little patching to repair afterward. Plus: How to Re-Caulk a Shower or Bathtub
Keep the Critters Out
Any crack can be an interstate highway for pests to enter your home. Close any possible points of entry by filling cracks with copper mesh, using a screwdriver to push it in and then filling remaining gaps with expanding foam. For more DIY pest control ideas, click here.
Prevent Mold in Corners
Due to some framing practices, corners of exterior walls can be particularly susceptible to mold growth, because pockets of uninsulated space may allow cooler air to pool and condense. For a quick way to remediate the problem, use the instructions found here.
Improve Your Sink
Insulate and soundproof an aluminum sink by spraying the underside with spray foam, paying particular attention to the gap between sinks. If you do this while the sink is installed, ensure you are wearing safety equipment and prepare the area beneath the sink for drips. Check out this, and other handy plumbing tricks here.
Shore Up Concrete Problems
Spray foam really is a magical tool for household insulation. Although fiberglass has been commonly used for insulation, spray foam can actually outperform it. Plus, with so many ways you can use spray foam, this material certainly is handy. Now only if it could help us out with all of those concrete problems… Oh wait, it actually can! Demilec, a company located in Texas, has invented a type of insulation foam that can help correct cracks and uneven pavement problems. Geolift can help to lift existing concrete surfaces and fix those problem areas around your house with much less labor. Geolift works for driveways, sidewalks, patios, garage floors, even pool decks. And yes, it is a foam, just like your beloved spray foam!
Insulate the House
When it comes to insulating the house, fiberglass tends to be the most common form of insulation. However, when comparing fiberglass and spray foam insulation, you might be surprised that spray foam outperforms fiberglass. Spray foam is a type of insulation that expands after you spray. The foam expands and seals, deterring moisture (which can create mold) and pests from eating through your walls. It protects the lining of your house, and can even assist in the heating and cooling of your house during those unbearably cold or hot days.
Win at Decor
Porch urns or ceramic vases are an excellent way to add seasonal curbside flair to your home. However, tall items such as twigs, birch stems or even pumpkins can sway in the breeze and make a mess of your carefully planned decor. To prevent things from shifting, place your items in the container and spray around them with expanding foam to create a comfy nest that will keep items from blowing over and potentially breaking your urn. Place a layer of moss, hay or greenery on top to finish the look. Plus: Easy ways to dress up a cheap planter.
Get Crafty with Spray Foam
Expanding spray foam can be used to build mountains — albeit small ones—which is perfect for school projects or hobbies, such as model volcanoes or scenery for miniature train sets. For more crafty ideas, check out these easy to make Christmas ornaments. See how to clean spray foam for multiple uses.
Originally Published: January 25, 2019
