How to Raise & Straighten Shed Doors With Turnbuckles

How to Move an 8-Foot by 10-Foot Wooden Shed in Your Yard
Written By
David Thompson
David Thompson
Published: May 7, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Over time, the doors sag and eventually they no longer align with the door frame, dragging on the sill each time you close them. A wire and turnbuckle will raise the lower edge and pull the doors square again.

Things You Will Need

  • Measuring tape
  • 1/8-inch diameter cable
  • 2 turnbuckles with eyes on both ends
  • Wire cutters
  • Cable clamps
  • Drill
  • 2 eye screws
  • Pliers
  1. Measure each door diagonally from the hinge side at the top, to the bottom corner where the door drags the sill. Divide the length in half and add two feet. Cut four pieces of 1/8-inch diameter metal cable to that length.

  2. Run one end of the cable through one eye of a turnbuckle, bend it in a loop and fasten it to itself with a cable clamp. Repeat with another length of wire on the other eye of the turnbuckle. Unscrew the turnbuckle so the eyes are as far apart as possible.

  3. Prop up one of the sagging doors to the height you want by tapping a block of wood under the end away from the hinges. Drill a small pilot hole for an eye screw in the top corner near the hinges and in the lower corner away from the hinges. Choose an area within a few inches of the corner where there's solid, thick wood. Screw an eye screw into each pilot hole.

  4. Attach the ends of the cables to the eye screws with cable clamps, leaving as little slack in the cable as possible.

  5. Turn the turnbuckle to tighten it, holding the cable at the clamps with pliers if necessary to prevent them from turning too. Remove the prop from under the door and tighten the turnbuckle further if necessary, until the door no longer drags on the sill and hangs square in its frame.

  6. Repeat for the other door.

The Drip Cap

  • Shed doors often sag over time.
  • A wire and turnbuckle will raise the lower edge and pull the doors square again.
  • Remove the prop from under the door and tighten the turnbuckle further if necessary, until the door no longer drags on the sill and hangs square in its frame.
  • Repeat for the other door.

Photo Credits

winter shed image by Paul Coskery from Fotolia.com

winter shed image by Paul Coskery from Fotolia.com

David Thompson

David Thompson began writing for eHow in 2009. He has written how-to articles on home improvement, carpentry, cabinet making and gardening.

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