Entry Doors: Maintenance Tips for Seasonal Durability

Entry doors are among 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 it’s 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 to avoid potential problems. They need protection against environmental factors 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. They 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 throughout the year. Seasonal durability refers to the changing seasons and the impact on your entry doors as they are exposed to various temperatures and conditions.

Wood entry doors need regular inspections for signs of damage and continued maintenance to keep them in good shape. They must 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 through weaker constructions, whereas a more substantial, high-quality door could save you the impact. When temperatures rise, entry doors, especially wooden doors that crack or have rusty hinges, can be affected.

Preparing Entry Doors for Winter

Preparing doors for winter is similar to winterizing your windows. This means that you want to make sure doors seal properly. Failing to seal your entry doors properly 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 also be used around wood, fiberglass, and windows.

Winter preparation also involves ensuring there are no obvious flaws or cracks in the doors. These could be minor problems now but can become significant, costly problems later.

Automatic opening mechanisms and locks should also be checked before the seasons change. Sometimes, colder temperatures can freeze up or make doors more challenging to open and close.

Clean the Track

One of the first steps to front door maintenance is regularly cleaning the track. Dirt and debris collect and can prevent the door from functioning as well as it should. Doors sometimes get stuck because of things clogging the tracks 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 done so. 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. Plus, a dirty door takes away from your home’s aesthetic appeal.

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 minor 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 forming in the middle of your exterior wood door may look like a small problem now, but small things eventually become considerable damage.

If not, you might 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 at any time of the year, though seasonal maintenance 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 as important as preparing your entry doors for the rest of the year. If you don’t, it can become a costly issue. A gust of wind or a falling tree could cause even worse damage to a door that doesn’t properly shut.

Get Expert Advice

If you’re unsure how to prepare your entry doors for changing seasons, contact your local door contractors. Expert door installers and maintenance teams can provide more tips on ensuring your entry doors are ready for the changing seasons.

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