Whether it’s an irregular hole or a round hole, our DIY experts can help you patch up the hole in your door so that it’s back to looking like new. Here, we explain how to go about patching a hole in a solid core door and in a hollow core door.

Solid Core Doors

Round Holes

1. First, remove the door from the hinges so it’s easier to work on.
2. Next, if you have a round hole, find a wooden dowel the same diameter as the hole.
3. After that, cut the dowel down to the width of the door plus one inch.
4. Coat the dowel with carpenter’s glue, then use a hammer to push it gently through the hole until one end is flush with the surface.
5. Let the glue dry, then cut the other end of the dowel with your hand saw until it’s flush with the other side of the door.
6. Spread wood filler over both ends of the dowel and let dry, then sand them down to make them smooth.
7. Prime and paint the hole to match the rest of the door.

Irregular Holes

1. If you have an irregular-shaped hole, you can fill the hole with wood filler.
2. First, remove the door from the hinges so it’s easier to work on.
3. Next, mix your wood filler and hardener and fill the hole.
4. Use C-clamps and a piece of wood to cover the hole, but leave the surfaces slightly concave.
5. Once the filler is dry, remove the clamps and the wood.
6. Spread a coat of drywall joint compound over the surfaces and sand them down to make them smooth.
7. Prime and paint the hole to match the rest of the door.

Hollow Core Doors

1. First, remove the door from the hinges so it’s easier to work on.
2. Next, if the hole extends through both sides of the door, clamp a piece of wood over one side of the hole.
3. After that, spray foam insulation into the hole and let it expand to fill up the void.
4. After the foam expands, remove the wood from the one side of the hole (but be sure to remove it before the foam hardens).
5. With a utility knife, cut off the excess foam that has expanded beyond the hole and leave slightly concave surfaces.
6. Spread a coat of drywall joint compound over the surfaces and sand them down to make them smooth.
7. Prime and paint the hole to match the rest of the door.