Problems with Wood Doors

Wood doors can fade, crack and wear out in only a few years. Wood, by its nature, is porous, causing it to absorb water. This excess moisture can cause swelling in wooden doors, requiring occasional trimming in order to maintain proper fit within the door jamb. Moisture can also enable mold and fungus to grow on wooden doors, creating the need for frequent cleaning. Moisture and direct sunlight can combine to damage wood doors, causing drying and fading. Wood doors can also be negatively impacted by the accumulation of dust or soil.

Some climates simply are not conducive to a front door made of wood. For example, homeowners in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and other southwestern states find themselves facing a huge maintenance commitment the moment they decide to install a wooden door. It is literally a race against the clock as the harsh and relentless southwestern sunlight accelerates the process of chipping, peeling and flaking as it beats down upon the door. Homeowners in the southeast deal with the effects of both heat and humidity.

In severe weather exposure, the life of your wood door finish may be as short as one year. Another problem with wood doors is that they are sometimes transported prior to installation in a non-finished condition. This can expose wood door products to moisture or other contaminants that may not show up as damage until shortly after the door is installed in your home. Scarring and stains can also occur during transportation to your home.

Signs of Wood Door Damage

Evidence of dulling, a "dry" feeling, raised grain and minor surface checks are all signs that your wood door finish needs to be restored. A whitish cast to the final finish, particularly on doors subject to sun and moisture, is also a sign that finish restoration is required. Additionally, dark streaks starting at the bottom of the wood panels are a sign that moisture is being drawn up into the wood. If you notice any of these signs, it probably means you have a finish restoration project in your immediate future.

Labor Intensive Wood Door Restoration

To prevent wood door deterioration, regular cleaning and use of penetrating oils is often necessary. Refinishing a door that has suffered damage is a labor-intensive, multi-step process involving:

• Cleaning with steel wool, mineral spirits, deck cleaners, bleach and/or other products
• Using caulk and/or wood filler to fill gaps and cracks
• Sanding all six door surfaces, including detail and crevices
• Application of protective finishes that include stains and sealers, oil-based polyurethane, varnish or paint

Problems with Fiberglass Doors

According to some building experts, doors made of low-quality fiberglass can crack (especially in cold weather) and fall apart. Fiberglass door finishes will also fail over time. Paint can bubble if water gets into the door via cracks or gaps or if the surface was not prepared properly before painting. The inner core of fiberglass doors is also susceptible to rotting.

Refinishing fiberglass doors can be a tricky process. The temperature must be just right. After stain is applied, you may have to wait 3-4 days before applying the first coat of finish over the stain. You can have significant problems if the stain has not completely dried.

Some brands of low-quality fiberglass doors have a tendency to "stick" on the threshold, according to professional door installers. In addition, extensive work is sometimes required on the mortising of the deadbolt in order to make it fit standard hardware.

Most fiberglass doors, such as those found at home stores, are not built to last and offer an unrealistic type of wood-grain simulation. Door contractors have recently done a significant amount of business replacing these types of low-quality fiberglass doors that have been installed in newer homes. Fiberglass can be dent resistant, but most fiberglass is not. Be aware.

Many people are unaware that fiberglass doors are not entirely constructed of fiberglass. The fiberglass covers a framework of wooden stiles and rails, including wood edges. The framework's voids are filled with polyurethane foam insulation. And, while fiberglass door manufacturers would have you believe their doors are less expensive than other options, by the time you add in other accessories, such as glazing and hardware that cost the same no matter what material the door is made from, you could be looking at a price tag upwards of $4,000 for a complete fiberglass entry system.

Fiberglass Doors Make for Cheap-Looking Homes

The most significant problem with fiberglass doors, however, is simply the way they look. With luxury homes, a fiberglass door can "stick out like a sore thumb" against the other more elegant and high-quality components. Installing a fiberglass door in a high-end residence is the equivalent of hanging a pine-tree air freshener from the rear view mirror of your Lexus or Mercedes.

Fiberglass door distributors might just as well go ahead and agree to sink a couple of white-painted tractor tire planting beds into your front lawn as part of their package for cheapening the look of your home. The aesthetic eyesore created by "fake-looking" fiberglass doors can actually reduce the tangible value and visual appeal of your home and send the wrong message to family members, guests, neighbors and prospective buyers and their realtors, if and when the time comes to sell your home.

Iron Doors are Superior in Upkeep and Visual Appeal

Why burden your family with the extra work and upkeep required to maintain an ordinary wood entryway? Why adorn your home with a cheap-looking imitation that does not provide the ornate appeal and value increase your home deserves?

Castle Entries iron doors and windows are visually stunning, virtually maintenance-free and engineered to practically last a lifetime. Iron doors from Castle Entries can provide the crowning touch that visually sets your home apart from other houses with ordinary wood and fiberglass entries. Our iron doors are also surprisingly affordable when compared with high-end wood and fiberglass entry systems. Make your new front door an iron door from Castle Entries.