A slamming door is more than just annoying. It damages the door frame over time, loosens hinges, and if you have kids or live in an apartment building, it becomes a real problem fast.

The good news is there are several ways to fix this, from a $2 solution you can install in 10 seconds to a $15 solution that works perfectly forever. Here they are, from simplest to most complete.

Step by Step:

Step 1: The 10 second fix: foam door bumpers

Peel and stick foam bumpers are little half-dome shaped pieces of foam that stick to the door stop the strip of wood the door closes against. When the door closes, it hits the foam instead of the hard wood. The sound goes from a slam to a soft thud. They cost $2 for a pack of 20 and take literally 10 seconds to install. This works surprisingly well for most interior doors.

Step 2: For harder slams: felt pads

Thicker felt pads work better than thin foam when the door closes with real force. Same idea stick them to the door stop at the top and bottom where the door makes contact. Felt compresses and absorbs the impact better than foam under heavy use. Good for kids’ bedroom doors.

Step 3: Fix the draft that’s causing the slam

If a door slams on its own or slams hard because of air pressure, the real problem is a draft. Check for gaps around windows in the room. Air flowing through creates a pressure difference that pulls the door shut. Address the draft seal the gap, add weatherstripping and the slamming often stops entirely without needing anything on the door.

Step 4: Install a door closer for complete control

A hydraulic door closer is the permanent, professional solution. It attaches to the top of the door and the frame and controls the speed at which the door closes. You can adjust the tension so it closes firmly but silently every time. They cost $15 to $30, take about 20 minutes to install, and are essentially maintenance-free for years.

Step 5: Add a soft-close hinge for the cleanest result

Soft-close hinges replace your existing hinges and have a built-in hydraulic mechanism that slows the door for the last few inches of travel, preventing any slam. They’re the cleanest solution because nothing is visible the door just magically stops slamming. They cost about $8 to $15 per hinge and install exactly like regular hinges.

Quick Tips

For bedroom doors where a baby is sleeping, felt bumpers on the door stop combined with a door closer is the best combination. The closer brings it in slowly and the felt pad absorbs any remaining impact.

If the door slams because of the wind outside, a door stop on the floor is useful too it prevents the door from flying fully open in strong wind, which reduces the force when it swings back shut.

Slamming doors are a fixable problem in under 15 minutes for under $5 in most cases. Start with foam or felt bumpers they solve the majority of slamming problems instantly. If the problem is worse than that, a $20 door closer handles it permanently and makes every room in your house feel noticeably calmer and more peaceful.