Ordering a custom wood entry door for the front of your house can complement all your choices of décor and tie the overall design together in an inspired way. Your front door is the public face of your home to the neighborhood, so you want it to look good for as long as possible. It’s also going to see more exposure to the elements than most parts of your house, and it will experience general wear-and-tear from daily use. That’s why you’ll need to take care of any wood entry door with a solid maintenance plan.
All doors start to show their age eventually, but with these care tips, you can extend your door’s lifespan and ensure that it remains an aesthetically pleasing focal point for the front of your home.
Keeping Moisture Out Is Vital When It Comes to Wood
It’s no secret that exposure to water will cause wood to rot in no time. When it comes to a wooden entry door, moisture damage is more problematic than it is for most parts of your home. Years of exposure to rain and snowmelt means years of vigilance, and seepage into tiny cracks can advance until you’re looking at serious rot.
Your door’s exterior sealants and finishes should be checked every year for signs of degradation. Harsh weather and prolonged sun damage can strip away these protective barriers, allowing moisture to seep through.
Keep An Eye on the Metal
Over the years, your door will see plenty of wear-and-tear from general use. Hinges can get worn out, doorknobs and strike plates can come loose and fall out of alignment, and moisture can cause alignment issues at the threshold. Any damage that impedes normal operation defeats the entire purpose of having a door, so always remember to keep an eye on these areas for any problems.
Changing seasons and weather exposure can cause wood to expand and bend, which can open gaps in your door frame and allow cold air to draft through. During the winter months, especially when wind becomes a problem, this can lead to snow getting into your home, and this problem will continue with rain once the weather changes again.
Be on the Lookout for Splinters
Failing to properly care for a wooden door can lead to safety issues just as easily as it can lead to water damage. If you have kids, you know they’re going to be using the front door as often as you do, and if you aren’t keeping up with polishing and finishing, the wood can crack and splintering. These issues can cause headaches for any homeowner, but for homeowners with families, administering first aid to injured children is just an additional and unnecessary worry.
Restoring the protective coating on your door when it starts to degrade is an excellent preventative measure that will keep these problems out of your hair. Not only will this avoid injuries, but it will keep your door looking new for years.
Great River Door Company serves homeowners with refreshing wood entry door designs throughout the Brainerd, Minnesota area, and we can provide all the maintenance tips you need to make your door last. Get in touch with us at (877) 825-4955 to learn more about the best way to care for your door.
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