Entry Doors: Maintenance Tips for Seasonal Durability

Entry doors are one of the most important functional (and visual) features for any home, office, or restaurant. A great entry door is meant to make an excellent first impression, but they’re also meant to be functional – and protect the occupants from weather or break-ins! Keep reading to uncover entry door maintenance tips for seasonal durability.

Entry Doors: Maintenance Tips for Seasonal Durability

Exterior doors need year-round maintenance. They need protection against weather conditions that leave them exposed to the elements. Maintain doors to avoid extreme temperatures and lower energy efficiency in your home. Entry doors do more than enhance your home’s curb appeal and are essential for locking cold out and trapping heat in.

Why Entry Doors Matter

Entry doors should be welcoming, but they should also be sturdy, safe, and well-maintained enough through the year. Seasonal durability refers to the changing of the seasons and the impact that this might have on your entry doors as they are exposed to a wide variety of temperatures and conditions.

Wood entry doors need continued maintenance to keep them in good shape. They will need to be resealed with a top coat every few years and touched up on the exterior. Wood front doors may react differently to humidity and temperature changes more than a fiberglass door might.

Wind can blow right through weaker constructions, whereas a stronger door could save you the impact. When temperatures rise, entry doors can be affected, especially wooden doors that crack or have rusty hinges.

Preparing Entry Doors for Winter

Prepare doors for winter, as it is similar to winterizing your windows. This means that you want to make sure doors seal properly. Failing to properly seal your entry doors can result in higher heating bills during the winter months.

Weather strip can be used around the door frame to help seal air leaks on exterior doors. It can be used around your wood doors, fiberglass doors, and windows as well.

Winter preparation also involves making sure there are no obvious flaws or cracks in the doors. These could be small problems now but can turn into large, costly problems later.

Automatic opening mechanisms and locks should also be checked before the seasons change. Sometimes colder temperatures (especially in colder areas) can freeze up or cause doors to open and close with more difficulty.

Clean the Track

One of the first steps to maintaining your doors is to clean the track. Any dirt and debris that collects here, can stop the door from functioning as well as it should. Doors sometimes get stuck due to things clogging the tracks right under the door.

Dirt is Dangerous

Dirt accumulates and can cause serious, long-term damage to the door. Clean up dirt and other debris around the door if you haven’t already. Dirt can damage the outer part of the door, which creates weak spots that you cannot necessarily see. Depending on the type of door finish, you can usually do this simply with soap and warm water.

Dirt can also be a breeding ground for mold, which can cause further damage to doors, especially after water damage.

Fix Small Wear

Small wear should always be fixed first. Take care of small problems when they appear especially before seasonal changes that could turn these small issues into large ones.

A key that won’t turn right in the lock or a small crack that’s started forming in the middle of your exterior wood door may look like a small problem now, but small things eventually turn into large damage. If not, you might just end up replacing the whole door for what could have been a simple DIY job at first.

Loose Locks and Broken Keys

Loose locks and broken keys should be addressed during any time of the year, though seasonal maintenance time is a great reason to start. These are some of those issues that people often ignore through the year – until something breaks and they need a locksmith.

Consider loose locks and broken keys just as important as preparing your entry doors for the rest of the year. If you don’t, it can become a very expensive issue – and yes, a gust of wind or a falling tree could cause even worse damage to a door that doesn’t properly shut.

Getting Expert Advice

Not sure what to do to prepare your entry doors for changing seasons? Contact your local door contractors. Expert door installers and maintenance teams can provide you with more tips on how to make sure your entry doors are ready for the changing seasons.

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