Most of the beautiful period houses have been styled with a stunning wood front door. This is because of its classic design that adds to the character of the home. With that said, most wood front doors were also installed many years ago, which means they may not be in their finest condition. In this article, we will be learning about how to maintain your wood front door to keep it looking as good as new!
How long can wood front doors last?
Wood door panels in Rome have lasted for more than a millennium without losing their intricate carvings and details. With this information alone, we can say that your front door can last for your lifetime and even the generations after you. That is why it is important to know how to properly maintain your wood front door, to ensure that its best quality can be preserved for a very long time.
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How can you maintain your wood front door?
To keep your wood from decaying, your door needs to have a finish. This is because it is constantly exposed to different weather conditions and humidity, and this coat will help protect it from cracks and rot.
These are the basic steps to maintain your wood front door:
- Remove your front door from its hinges. It is in your best interest to work while the door is not hung. Remove all hardware from the door including doorknobs, latches, mortise plate, etc. You need to remove anything that is not wood from your door.
- Clean your door. Use an old sponge and soak it into warm soapy water. Wipe down your door, making sure to remove all the dirt and grime that has accumulated within the crevices of your door. Dry your door with a dry cloth before proceeding to the next step.
- Sand your door down. Use medium-grit sandpaper to even out the surfaces and further remove dirt. Strip your door’s finishing through sanding. If your door has paint, you may choose to use a chemical stripper, just remember to wear a mask and gloves to protect yourself from the substances in the stripper. Dust off your door and make sure it is clean.
- Apply the finish. This is the main activity for your wood maintenance. After removing the traces of the previous finish through steps 1 to 3, we can now refinish your door. Use the finish that is similar to the previous one. Before applying your topcoat, you can gather up the sawdust and mix it with epoxy or glue to fill in some cracks or surfaces, then you may also choose to use a sanding sealer that can even out the look of your door. Afterwards, you can apply your topcoat.
How often should you maintain your door?
This is entirely up to your discretion, but a good schedule would be around 3-5 years after refinishing. It is also important to note that you should use finishes that can protect your door against ultraviolet rays, especially if it is a front door.
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Pieter Boyce
Wooden Window and Door Specialist
This article was written on behalf of The Wooden Door Company by Pieter Boyce. Pieter has an intense passion for English Architectural history and has been specialising in the conservation of original wooden windows and doors for decades. His exceptional knowledge of timber windows and doors, both listed or non-listed, is attributed to his hands-on approach to learning all aspects of the complete restoration of original features as well as having personally surveyed thousands of items throughout his long tenure as a head surveyor for one of the largest window and door restoration companies in the UK. He now runs a boutique wooden window and door consultancy and fervently champions the retention of original windows and doors. To learn more of Pieter’s services, visit his website at www.boultonboyce.co.uk.