Door stop - Definition and Overview

Door stops are objects or devices used to hold a door open or closed, or prevent opening too widely.

The first type can come in the form of a large solid item, often an improvised item such as a brick, or a small wedge of wood or plastic.

It should be noted it is against health and safety regulations (in the United Kingdom, among other countries) to prop open fire doors.

The other kind of door stop is used to prevent a door from opening too far and damaging a nearby wall. In this case the often a short length of wood or metal is screwed into the wall. Typically this will be tipped with rubber, and installed either a few inches above the ground, or at a height to meet the doorknob.

An alternative for the second type is the "hinge pin". This device is attached to the door hinge and prevent it opening at too wide an angle.

Doorstop is also a term for sandwiches made with very thick slices of bread. Other dense objects, especially foods such as fruitcake are sometimes humorously referred to as or compared to doorstops.