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Patio Doors Blowing in the Wind? A Door Holder Keeps Them Put

A gust can swing a patio door into the wall or slam it on fingers and glass. Weigh it down today, then fit a holder that locks the door in place.

By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 7 min read

Time
15 min
Cost
Under $20
Difficulty
Easy
An open swinging patio door with a curtain blowing inward and a potted plant knocked over on the deck
In this guide
  1. Quick answer
  2. Free vs. permanent fix
  3. What you'll need
  4. Why it happens
  5. Try this first (free)
  6. When free fixes aren't enough
  7. Buy the fix
  8. Which patio door do you have?
  9. Wind safety
  10. What to skip
  11. FAQ
  12. Related problems

Quick answer

To stop patio doors blowing in the wind, hold them open or shut with something fixed to the door, floor or wall, not with a loose object a gust can push. Latch the door in strong wind. A rock or a rubber wedge helps on calm days, but a door holder that screws down or hooks on locks the door in place and ends the swinging and slamming.

Free fix vs. permanent fix

Free fix · 5 minutes

Latch it, tighten it, weigh it down

  • Close and latch the door when the wind picks up
  • Tighten loose hinge screws so the door hangs straight
  • Set a heavy planter or sandbag against the open door
  • Open a window on the sheltered side for air instead

How long it lasts: Fine on calm days. A strong gust can still shove a weighted door, and you have to set it up every time.

Most readers choose Permanent fix
Door holder or wind stopper for swinging patio doors (illustration)
Illustration

A fixed door holder or wind stopper

A holder fixes the door to something that cannot move, instead of relying on weight and friction. A hook-and-catch or floor-mounted holder locks a swinging door open at the angle you choose, so the wind pushes against a fixed catch and not a doorstop that slides.

What to get: Door holder or wind stopper for swinging patio doors

How long it lasts: Years. It holds as long as the screws stay in solid wood or masonry.

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What you'll need

  • Heavy planter or sandbag

    Holds a door for a few hours in light wind

    You have it

  • Screwdriver or drill

    For tightening hinges and fitting the holder

    You have it
  • Our pick
    Door holder or wind stopper (illustration)
    Illustration

    Door holder or wind stopper

    Screws to the floor, deck or wall and locks the door open

    Check price
  • Rubber wedge door stop (illustration)
    Illustration

    Rubber wedge door stop

    For doors you cannot drill, on a rough floor

    Check price
  • Door closer with hold-open arm (illustration)
    Illustration

    Door closer with hold-open arm

    For a door that slams shut on its own

    Check price

Why it happens

1

A big flat surface catches the gust

A patio door is mostly glass or screen, and it catches wind like a sail. A light breeze can swing it, and a strong gust can slam it into the wall.

2

Nothing is holding the door

Most swinging patio doors have no hold-open stop and no closer. A wedge or a rock works only through friction, and wind beats friction on smooth decks and tile.

3

Loose hinges or a sagging door

Loose hinge screws and worn hinge pins let the door flap. A door that hangs out of square also tends to swing shut by itself.

4

A weak latch or tired weatherstripping

If the latch does not catch, wind pushes the door open as soon as you walk away. Worn weatherstripping lets air whistle around the door and rattle it.

Try this first (free)

Do these in order, starting with the simplest.

  1. Close and latch it when the wind picks up

    Shut the door and turn the latch or lock. Open a window on the sheltered side if you want air. A latched door may rattle, but it cannot swing.

  2. Tighten the hinges

    Tool used: Screwdriver or drill

    Snug every hinge screw. If a screw spins in its hole, press a wooden toothpick coated in wood glue into the hole, let it set, and drive the screw back in. A door that hangs straight is easier to hold.

  3. Weigh the door down

    Tool used: Heavy planter or sandbag

    Set a heavy planter or a sandbag against the open door, on the side the wind pushes toward. This works for light wind only, so check it before you walk away.

  4. Fit a holder that locks the door open

    Tool used: Door holder or wind stopper

    Open the door to the angle you want and mark where the holder's catch meets the floor, wall or deck rail. Drill pilot holes and screw it down. Use masonry anchors in concrete or brick, and screw into framing or a joist on wood.

    Door holder or wind stopper (illustration)
    Illustration

    Tool for this step

    Door holder or wind stopper · Screws to the floor, deck or wall and locks the door open

    Check price on Amazon

  5. Test it in a gust

    Open and close the door a few times, then push on it hard. If the door slides past the catch, move the catch closer to the door's edge.

When free fixes aren't enough

A planter or a wedge holds a door only until a gust beats it, and a patio door is a large, heavy sail. If the door has already slammed into a wall, cracked glass or caught someone's fingers, stop relying on friction. A holder that screws down does not slide. If the door also swings shut on its own, a closer with a hold-open arm controls the speed. If the door hangs crooked or will not latch at all, repair the hinges or call a door pro before you buy anything.

Buy the fix

Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.

Our picks compared
PickProductFixesWho it's forBuy
Best pick
Door holder or wind stopper for swinging patio doors (illustration)
Illustration
Door holder or wind stopper for swinging patio doors
a swinging patio or screen door that blows open or slams shut Anyone with a hinged patio door, French door or swinging screen door that catches the wind. Check price
Budget pick
Heavy rubber wedge door stop for outdoor use (illustration)
Illustration
Heavy rubber wedge door stop for outdoor use
light drafts and a door that drifts closed Renters or anyone who cannot drill, with a rough, non-slick floor. Check price
Upgrade pick
Door closer with hold-open arm (illustration)
Illustration
Door closer with hold-open arm
a door that slams shut by itself in the wind Anyone whose door swings shut hard on a windy day. Check price
Best pick
Door holder or wind stopper for swinging patio doors (illustration)
Illustration

Door holder or wind stopper for swinging patio doors

Fixes: a swinging patio or screen door that blows open or slams shut

Look for: Screws or bolts to the floor, deck or wall, not just a wedge; A catch or hook that locks the door open; Rust-resistant metal made for outdoor use; A mount that fits the gap and swing of your door.

Who it's for
Anyone with a hinged patio door, French door or swinging screen door that catches the wind.
Honest downside
Your patio door slides on a track. A holder for swinging doors will not fit; see the section below.
Check price on Amazon
Budget pick
Heavy rubber wedge door stop for outdoor use (illustration)
Illustration

Heavy rubber wedge door stop for outdoor use

Fixes: light drafts and a door that drifts closed

Look for: A thick, grippy rubber base; Tall enough for the gap under your door; A tight wedge shape that jams under the door.

Who it's for
Renters or anyone who cannot drill, with a rough, non-slick floor.
Honest downside
Your floor is smooth tile or wet decking, or the gusts are strong. A wedge slides.
Check price on Amazon
Upgrade pick
Door closer with hold-open arm (illustration)
Illustration

Door closer with hold-open arm

Fixes: a door that slams shut by itself in the wind

Look for: An adjustable closing speed; A hold-open setting; A rating that matches your door's weight and width; Screws and brackets included.

Who it's for
Anyone whose door swings shut hard on a windy day.
Honest downside
The frame is soft, rotted or damaged. A closer will not hold on weak wood.
Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We don't show prices because they change, so use the button to see today's price.

How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on door hardware instructions, home-repair guides for hinges and latches, and what owners report in reviews of door holders and closers. We do not test products by hand.

Which patio door do you have?

  • Hinged patio or French door: use a hook-and-catch or floor-mounted holder.
  • Swinging screen or storm door: use a closer with a hold-open arm, or a holder on the frame.
  • Sliding glass door: keep it locked in wind. A track bar stops it sliding open.
  • Sliding screen door: clean the track and add a pin lock so it cannot drift.

Wind safety

In storms or high-wind warnings, close and latch the door instead of propping it open. A heavy gust can break hinges and glass, and a door swinging open can hit a person or pet. Keep fingers away from the hinge side when you close it.

What to skip

Loose rocks, bricks and chairs

Loose weights slide on smooth decking and tile, and a brick can tip onto toes. They fail on the one day you need them. A slamming glass door can crack its glass or pinch fingers, so fix the door to something solid instead.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep my patio door from slamming in the wind?
Lock it open with a fixed door holder, or fit a closer that slows the swing. Weights and wedges help in light wind only. On a stormy day, close and latch the door.
Can I stop a sliding patio door or screen from moving in the wind?
A sliding screen can drift along its track in a gust. A track lock bar or a pin lock in the frame keeps it from moving, and a clean, dry track stops it creeping. Holders made for swinging doors will not fit a slider.
Will a door holder damage my deck or floor?
It needs screws, so it leaves small holes. If you rent, ask first, or use a wedge. If you remove a holder later, fill the holes with exterior wood filler or caulk.
My patio door will not stay latched. What should I check?
Check that the latch lines up with the strike plate, tighten the hinges and replace worn weatherstripping. If the door hangs out of square or the frame is rotted, call a door repair pro.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure

Door holder or wind stopper for swinging patio doors (illustration)
Illustration

Our pick: Door holder or wind stopper for swinging patio doors

Check price