Why does my house shake when doors close?

Your house shaking when doors close is typically caused by air pressure changes, loose door hardware, or structural settling issues. This is especially common in well-sealed modern homes or older Toronto houses that have been recently weatherproofed.

When you slam a door in a tightly sealed house, it creates a sudden air pressure change that can cause the entire structure to vibrate slightly. This effect is amplified in newer energy-efficient homes or older Toronto houses that have had extensive weatherstripping and insulation upgrades. The air has nowhere to escape quickly, so the pressure wave travels through the house structure, causing that noticeable shake or vibration.

Loose door hardware is another major culprit. If the door hinges, strike plates, or door frame itself has loosened over time, the impact of closing transfers more force directly into the wall framing. In Toronto's older housing stock - particularly century homes in neighborhoods like Cabbagetown or The Annex - this is common as the original hardware may have loosened due to decades of house settling and wood movement through our freeze-thaw cycles.

Structural settling can also contribute to this issue. Toronto's clay soil conditions cause gradual foundation movement over time, which can create slight gaps in framing connections. When these connections are loose, door impacts create more noticeable vibrations throughout the house structure.

Toronto-specific factors include our extreme temperature swings, which cause significant expansion and contraction in building materials. Houses built on Toronto's clay soil also experience more settling than those on bedrock, making loose connections more common over time.

Simple solutions include adjusting door closers to reduce slamming force, tightening loose hinges and strike plates, and adding weatherstripping if air pressure is the issue. However, if the shaking is severe or accompanied by other signs like cracks in drywall, sticking doors, or uneven floors, this could indicate more serious structural settling that requires professional assessment.

When to call a professional: If tightening hardware doesn't solve the problem, or if you notice other structural symptoms, consult a structural engineer. Severe house shaking from normal door closing isn't typical and may indicate foundation or framing issues that need professional evaluation to protect your investment and ensure safety.