Exterior Wood Door Care & Protection

Like any material wood has limitations and the main source of problems lie with the way it is finished (stained or painted) or the lack of a proper overhang (over exposure). 

Wood Door Finishing
As with any door, the finish you put on it has a great impact on the beauty, durability, and the life of your wood entry doors.  Protect your investment by putting the best possible oil based sealer or paint on it, or hiring the most competent painter you can find.  We suggest that you talk to your painter / paint store about any products before using them.  There are some tips below to help properly finish your wood door:

• Before Installation- Always store your doors on a flat surface away from direct sunlight.  Most warping is due to improper stacking, or opposite sides of the door receiving different levels of exposure to the elements like sunlight before it is finished.

• After installation, remove the door from the hinges and...

• Make sure door is lightly sanded in the direction of the wood grain to remove uneven grains, dirt, and oils that can accumulate during shipping or installation.  220 grit sandpaper is normally appropriate.

• Clean the door with a cloth to remove any debris or dust.

• A wood conditioner may help reduce the natural color variations in the wood, though it is mostly for use on softwoods like pine.

• Choose an exterior oil based stain, paint, and / or sealer with U/V inhibitors.  Stain or paint per the manufacturers instructions.

• Your door must be fully sealed on all 6 sides (including behind the hinges and under the door shoe) with oil based sealer or paint within 24 hours of installing.

• For stained doors apply at least 3 finish coats (polyurethane) to all 6 sides and your door jambs.  More coats will help in areas with less overhang or harsh exposure.

• In order not to induce warping and cracks, do not expose stained doors or dark color doors to direct sunlight or south western exposure.

• Inspect your doors regularly.  If the finish is deteriorating, resand and refinish the doors as often as needed.

  After finishing your doors and reinstalling them you can add one more layer of protection.  Use silicone based clear caulking and put a bead around all the glass and wood joints to help ensure water stays out of your door, especially if you have a less than optimal overhang!

   

Wood Door Overhang Information
When wood is exposed directly to rain and sunlight (little or no overhang) it expands and contracts and causes cracks in the finish that let water into the wood so a proper overhang is important. 

As of AAW's 2011 warranty they require:

 4'0" overhang on 6'8" doors to the front and sides*   /   5'0" overhang on 8'0" doors to the front and sides* 

8'0" overhang on 6'8" doors with Southwestern exposure*   /   10'0" overhang on 8'0" doors with Southwestern exposure*

*overhang must be located right above the door and offer adequate protection from direct sunlight, rain, wind, abnormal heat, and sudden change in temperature.

 

After finishing your doors and reinstalling them you can add one more layer of protection.  Use silicone based clear caulking and put a bead around all the glass and wood joints to help ensure water stays out of your door, especially if you have a less than optimal overhang like the back door on my own home!

Read AAW's Manufacturer Wood Door Warranty requirements here.