Investing in wooden exterior doors is one of the most cost-effective
ways to improve your home. Aside from the aesthetics and the security
benefits, solid wood doors are simply so much more durable than those
made from other materials. To ensure they last as long as they possibly can though, you need to take good care of them.
As exterior doors are exposed to the elements, your wooden doors will
naturally have to withstand more abuse than your interior doors.Direct
sunlight, heavy rain, snow and ice, and dust and debris blown by the
wind can all damage the finish on doors. Since the finish protects the
door, over time this damage can wear away the finish and then start
damaging the actual door.
Minor weather damage to wooden exterior doors is fairly simple to
deal with, but if you're not familiar with the process it might pay to
hire someone. For doors with a varnish finish, it's recommended to
replace the finish almost every year. After removing the door, lightly
sand the finish off with a fine-grit sandpaper. Use a paint scraper to
get rid of any chips, but be careful not to gouge the wood. Brush the
dust away with a rag dampened with mineral spirits.
Then, reapply
several coats of varnish to the door. Several thin coats are more
effective than one thick coat. You can also apply a coat of polyurethane
afterward to give an extra layer of protection.Painted doors are
a bit easier to maintain. Simply wash the door with a light soap, and
lightly sand or scrape away any chipped paint. Then apply at least two
coats of paint, until the color looks solid and full.
Even with more serious damage, such as dents, deep scratches, or
gouges, it's possible to restore your wooden exterior doors and have
them looking great once again. You'll need some epoxy wood filler or
paste, as well as some exterior vinyl spackling compound.
Use a
wood chisel to scrape the area down, clearing out any loose or damaged
wood. The wood filler will work best when the hole is as clean as
possible.
Mix the epoxy on a disposable surface according to the
instructions. Then fill the hole with the epoxy, until it's level and
just below the surface of the door. Let the epoxy dry completely, and
then apply the spackling compound so that it is perfectly smooth with
the door's surface.
Next, use some fine-grit sandpaper to gently
sand the area to even it out. Then use exterior paint primer to prepare
the area, and finish with paint that matches your door.
