Door stops for every door

How to choose a door stop

Start with the job the door needs to do. A door stop can hold a door open, keep it from hitting a wall, or do both. Think about which door it is, how heavy it is, and what is behind it.

A wedge sits on the floor and slides under the door. It works on most hinged doors and needs no tools. The Rubber Door Wedge Stop is 2.44 x 2.44 x 0.98 in (62 x 62 x 25 mm) and fits gaps up to 0.98 in (25 mm). The Grip Silicone Door Stop Wedge is 3-3/4 x 1-5/8 x 1-1/16 in (95 x 40 x 27 mm) and gives a wider footprint.

A wall mounted stop screws into the wall or baseboard behind the door. It takes the hit so the door and the wall do not. The Heavy Duty Brushed Steel Door Stopper is 5.4 x 2 in (136 x 50 mm) and screws in from the front.

A magnetic stop holds the door open on its own. You push the door and it stays. The Hidden Magnetic Door Stopper, the Magnetic Silicone Door Stopper and the Quiet Hold Door Stopper all use magnets, and the Magnetic Door Stopper comes in silver, red, black, bronze, and gold.

Sizes and measuring

Measure before you buy. A stop that is too tall will not fit under the door, and one that is too short will not hold.

For a wedge, measure the gap under the door. The Rubber Door Wedge Stop is 0.98 in (25 mm) tall, so it is not for doors with gaps taller than that. The Grip Silicone Door Stop Wedge is 1-1/16 in (27 mm) tall, a touch more room for a thicker door.

For a floor mounted stop, check the space between the bottom of the door and the floor. The Clear Silicone Floor Door Stop is 1-9/16 x 1 in (40 x 25 mm) and mounts on the floor under the door. The Magnetic Floor Door Stopper is 3 x 1-5/8 in (75 x 42 mm) and also mounts on the floor.

For a wall mounted stop, measure from the hinge side of the door to where you want the door to rest. The Heavy Duty Brushed Steel Door Stopper is 5.4 x 2 in (136 x 50 mm), so leave that much room between the door and the wall.

For a magnetic stop, check the height of the door and the weight. The Magnetic Silicone Door Stopper is 1.97 x 2.17 in (50 x 55 mm) and weighs 2.61 oz (74 g). The Hidden Magnetic Door Stopper is not for doors with a gap taller than 1-5/16 in (34 mm). The Magnetic Door Stopper uses a magnetic base and needs no drilling.

Materials and finishes

Rubber and silicone grip the floor and stay quiet. The Rubber Door Wedge Stop is rubber. The Grip Silicone Door Stop Wedge and the Clear Silicone Floor Door Stop are silicone. Silicone holds its shape and does not mark most floors.

Steel takes a hit and holds up over time. The Heavy Duty Brushed Steel Door Stopper is brushed steel. The Hidden Magnetic Door Stopper is stainless steel. The Magnetic Floor Door Stopper is stainless steel and plastic. The Magnetic Door Stopper is stainless steel with rubber.

Plastic is light and simple. The Anti-Pinch Door Gap Stopper is plastic in white. It is 3-1/4 x 1-7/16 in (82 x 36 mm) and sits in the gap to keep fingers clear.

Finish matters on a wall or floor you see every day. Brushed steel and stainless steel read as clean and modern. White plastic blends with a white door or trim. The Magnetic Door Stopper comes in silver, red, black, bronze, and gold, so you can match the hinges or the room.

Mounting and tools

Some stops need no tools at all. The Rubber Door Wedge Stop and the Grip Silicone Door Stop Wedge just slide under the door. The Magnetic Silicone Door Stopper and the Quiet Hold Door Stopper stick on with an adhesive mount. The Magnetic Door Stopper uses a magnetic base and needs no drilling. The Clear Silicone Floor Door Stop mounts on the floor with no drilling.

Others screw in. The Heavy Duty Brushed Steel Door Stopper screws in from the front. The Hidden Magnetic Door Stopper screws in from the front and also uses adhesive, and it comes with four screws. The Magnetic Floor Door Stopper mounts on the floor.

Pick the method that suits your wall and floor. Adhesive is good for tile, metal, and smooth painted surfaces. Screws are best for wood, drywall with a stud or anchor, and spots that take a lot of use. If you rent, a no drill stop is easier to remove later.

Care and placement

Wipe every stop on this page with a dry cloth. That is all they need. Keep silicone and rubber free of grit so they keep their grip. Wipe steel to keep it free of dust and marks.

Place a wall stop so the door meets it before the handle hits the wall. Place a floor stop so the door rests on it without lifting. Place a wedge so the thick end faces the door and the thin end points away.

Check the stop now and then. A wedge can slide, and a screw can loosen. A quick look keeps the door and the wall safe.