The door needs a shoulder in August and closes politely in February. Removing a little wood feels obvious until you remember that February will return.
Look at the whole opening
Record the rubbing point, hinge condition, gaps, and whether nearby doors behave similarly. The US Forest Service Wood Handbook explains how moisture changes wood dimensions. That makes humidity a plausible contributor, not proof that every sticking door is harmless.
Keep the remedy proportional to the evidence
A carpenter can assess alignment and permissible trimming for the particular door. Do not trim a fire-rated or specialist door casually; its construction and requirements matter. If the binding is new and accompanies cracking, sagging, water damage, or several distorted openings, investigate the underlying condition instead of repeatedly shaving the symptom.
Before the next step
- Photograph the gaps and exact rubbing point.
- Compare the symptom across seasons and nearby openings.
- Confirm door type and allowable alterations before cutting.
A reversible check deserves to come before an irreversible cut. The door may need adjustment, but first give it a fair diagnosis.