Quick answer: a door stop (also called a door stopper) keeps a door from swinging into a wall, furniture or another door. Choose a type that suits how you want to use it: a wedge that slides under the door to hold it open; a floor- or wall-mounted stop that the door bumps into; or a stick-on bumper or handle cover that needs no drilling. Place it where the door should stop, fit it on a clean surface (or with the included screws), and test the door slowly the first time.
What a door stop is for
Door stops do two slightly different jobs. Some hold a door open, so it does not slam shut in a draft. Others stop a door at a set point so the handle or the door itself does not mark the wall or hit furniture. Many homes need both, in different doorways.
TidyMend sells several no-drill and screw-mounted options in Wall & Door Protectors, including a rubber door wedge stopper, a 100 mm brass knurled door stop, a 46 mm stainless steel door stop, clear stick-on floor door stops in an 8-pack, and no-drill floor door stops in a 5-pack. A clear silicone door handle bumper covers a lever handle instead of sitting on the floor.
Types of door stop
- Wedge. A rubber (or similar) wedge that slides under the door to hold it open. There is nothing to install, and you can move it from door to door. It will not stop a door from hitting the wall if you forget to put it in place.
- Floor- or wall-mounted stop. A fixed stop, often metal with a rubber tip or bumper, that the door meets at the end of its swing. Brass and stainless steel versions are screw-mounted, so they stay put. They are a good choice when you always want the door to stop at the same point.
- Stick-on or no-drill floor stop. A clear dome or clip-style stop that sticks to the floor or wall, with no drilling. Useful in a rented home, or when you want the stop to blend in. Packs of several let you fit more than one door.
- Handle bumper. A clear silicone cover that slides over a lever handle and cushions it where it would meet the wall. No adhesive or drilling. Check that your handle and lock fit the opening before you buy.
- Edge bumper strips. Long, clear self-adhesive strips that protect a wall, cabinet or fridge door from knocks by a handle. These protect the surface rather than stopping the door on the floor.
Step-by-step: fitting a stick-on or no-drill floor stop
- Open the door slowly and mark the point where you want it to stop, far enough out that the handle or door will not reach the wall or furniture.
- Clean the floor or wall at that spot and let it dry. Adhesive stops need a clean, dry surface.
- Fit the stop as shown in the product photos. For a stick-on dome, peel the backing and press it down firmly. For a clip-style no-drill stop, follow the photos for how it sits on the floor.
- Test the door. Open it gently the first time so you can check that it meets the stop squarely and does not ride over it.
Step-by-step: fitting a screw-mounted floor or wall stop
- Choose floor or wall mounting. A floor stop sits in the path of the door; a wall stop sits on the wall at handle height or where the door would hit. Use the position that suits the room and the product you have (some, such as the brass 100 mm and stainless 46 mm stops, can be mounted on the floor or the wall).
- Mark the holes with the door held at the stopping point, so the rubber tip or bumper will meet the door cleanly.
- Fix the stop with the included screws or fixings. Check that the rubber tip faces the door.
- Test the swing and tighten any loose screw.
Tips
- If you only need to hold a door open while you carry things through, a wedge is usually the simplest option.
- In a rented home, prefer wedges, stick-on stops or a handle bumper, so you do not have to drill the floor or wall.
- Clear stops and handle bumpers are less noticeable on many floors and walls than a large metal stop, if that matters in the room.
- A handle bumper only helps if the handle is what hits the wall; if the door edge hits first, use a floor or wall stop instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a door stop and a door stopper?
They are the same thing. “Door stop” and “door stopper” are both common names for a wedge, floor stop, wall stop or bumper that controls how far a door can swing, or holds it open.
Can I fit a door stop without drilling?
Yes. A wedge needs no fitting at all. Stick-on floor stops, no-drill clip-style stops and a silicone handle bumper also need no drilling. Screw-mounted metal stops do need screws.
Should the stop go on the floor or the wall?
Use a floor stop when you want the door to meet something on the floor in its path. Use a wall stop when you want to cushion the wall itself, or when a floor stop would be in the way. A handle bumper sits on the handle, not on the floor or wall.
Will a stick-on stop stay in place?
It holds best on a clean, dry, smooth surface. Give the adhesive time to set before the door is used as normal, and press the stop down firmly when you fit it. If the floor is uneven or dusty, a screw-mounted stop is the more secure option.
Related
See all wall and door protectors, read how to use furniture sliders to protect floors when moving furniture, see how to childproof your home with anti-tip straps and locks, or browse all TidyMend guides.