The old saying that “nothing lasts forever” applies to wood doors too. Some wood doors can last hundreds of years, while others might not stick around much longer than a few years. There are several factors that can contribute to how long a wood door lasts (or does not last), however, those factors become more important when considering a new door. The pressing question is whether or not it’s time for you to replace yours! Here are some reasons why you might need to replace your home’s wooden front door…
It’s Warped
Warping is something that can happen to many forms of wooden objects, including doors. Warping occurs naturally to wood as it experiences different forms of external stimulus. This can include fluctuations in environmental temperature, humidity, and sun exposure. High fluctuations in temperature, as well as exposure of the natural wood grain, can be some of the major factors promoting the wood to warp. A higher vulnerability of the wood will increase the likelihood that the wood might warp, which is why a strong consideration towards the wood’s sealant or coating should be made. This is also why door maintenance is such an important variable in extending the life of your door.
When a door is warped, it will usually have trouble opening, closing, and/or sealing into its frame and weatherstripping. That’s why it’s important to assess numerous aspects of a door prior to replacing it, as a single problem, such as improper opening and closing, can have multiple causes.
While sealing the door and maintaining it can make it much less likely to warp, there is no guarantee since there are many ways the seal can be compromised.
A warped door usually needs to be replaced with a new door, as there’s no way to un-warp or straighten the door that doesn’t completely compromise its structure. A very thick slab door could potentially be re-planed, but this would not be worth doing the majority of the time.
It’s Cracking
Wood doors of decent to high quality always have formidable durability and longevity. However, with time and exposure to the elements, the structural integrity of the door may wane. Blunt trauma and even unintentional carelessness can do a number on your wood door, especially with consistency and time. Little knicks, chips, and scratches typically have a negligent effect on the door, and they may not necessitate replacement. They usually compromise the aesthetic quality of the door, but on some occasions, they expose the door’s bare wood to the elements. This can lead to worse issues, such as cracks. Cracks in the door’s structure are a serious problem because they may lead to a structurally compromised door. Not only can cracks allow moisture and air to permeate the door (rendering it defective), but they can also make the door less secure, ultimately leaving you more vulnerable than you should be.
Instead of taking risks with a cracked (and thus compromised) wood door, you should be proactive and secure a replacement door immediately. Your door may have cracked due to its location and exposure to elements such as moisture and UV radiation, so consider this as you move forward with purchasing a new door. Wood is an effective door material in most climates, just be sure that it is well-constructed with sustainably sourced hardwoods and is also treated with an effective sealant or paint. This will minimize the potential of a crack occurring in the new door any time soon.
It’s Infested
Creepy crawlers are something that many homeowners worry about, but termites are something that is exclusive to certain regions. In these regions, homeowners need to be aware that almost any wooden structure in, or around their home, is fair game for termite infestation. Preventive measures can be taken, of course, but there’s no such thing as a termite-free guarantee when it comes to home fixtures such as doors.
If you see evidence of termite activity in and around your wood door, a replacement will be a safe choice. There are ways you may be able to remove termites from the door, but because of its structure, there will be no way to know that they’re gone for sure. Additionally, the termites may have structurally compromised the door by burrowing inside and rotting away its structure. The door might look solid, but it could have hollow or soft spots due to the termites. These cavities, even if not structurally damaging, can make the door more vulnerable to moisture and temperature fluctuations.
Be sure to check the frame around the door for termite damage, as well, as your new door will only be as effective as the frame it hinges in!
Some woods, such as mahogany, are naturally resistant to termite infestation. Consider investing in a well built mahogany wood door to help prevent termite damage in your new wood door.
It’s Not Sealing
As we’ve mentioned up to this point, there are multiple things that could be contributing to a wood door that isn’t sealing in its frame. Weatherstripping is an important part of door installation and maintenance. Inspect the weatherstripping around the frame to see if it’s hardened or cracked. Make sure it is still fastened securely into the door frame. If everything looks normal with your weatherstripping, but the door no longer seals well against it, then the door has probably warped. If the weatherstripping does look bad, try replacing it instead of the door. This is an easier fix and is usually the culprit for a door that’s not sealing.
If the door is not properly sealing, there is also a chance that it is not properly hung. Both the door and weatherstrip could be fine, while there’s something wrong with the door’s hinges or its attachment to the hinges. If there is a tapering gap between the top of the door and the frame it sits under, chances are, it’s not hung properly. Make sure all screws are tightened between the hinge, door, and frame, and also that the hinge still rests snugly in the frame.
It’s Rotten
Sometimes, when doors spend lots of time around moisture, they can rot. This is especially possible if the home has been neglected, or left alone for a while. If enough moisture finds its way to settling near the bottom of the door, it can sometimes rot and become completely compromised both in terms of security and in terms of sealing the house from the elements. If there’s any sign of rot on the door, have a professional inspect it and see if it can be remedied. A lot of the time, it’s easier to simply replace the door. When you do, be sure to figure out why the previous door became rotten and then do what you can to prevent it from happening again. In cases where the door will certainly be exposed to higher amounts of moisture, it may be wiser to invest in a door made of vinyl, fiberglass, or composite materials that are not susceptible to moisture.
Final Words
Regardless of whether or not you are having issues with your wood door, it can never hurt to pay some special occasional attention to the kind of shape it’s in. Do your due diligence to determine if there may be any reason to give it some extra TLC or to actually replace it entirely. Just as there are numerous factors that contribute to a wood door’s quality and beauty, there are many factors that can contribute to how long that wood door lasts. At ETO Doors, we know better than most that a quality wood door is a true investment, which is why it’s crucial to be aware of properly maintaining it and doing what you can to protect it from risk of replacement.
