Wood is a show-stopping material for residential exterior doors. Species like mahogany, walnut, white oak, fir, and cedar are popular for their natural beauty and classic look, but they’re also durable enough to withstand the elements for decades if you care for them properly.
Regular inspections can help you spot problems early, but there are other effective ways to reduce the impacts of exposure. Below, we’ll share our top tips for preserving your wood exterior doors, like sealing the surface, adding overhangs, and weatherstripping.
We’ll also teach you a bit about proper roof care, which helps protect your home’s exterior by preventing damage from runoff. Treatments like Roof Maxx extend the lifespan of your asphalt shingles so they don’t crack or break prematurely—making it easier for water to flow into your gutters and downspouts, and away from your wooden doors.
Your exterior doors stand between the inside of your home and the great outdoors. They’re always there to protect you, but they collect a lot of grime in the process.
Over time, mud, dirt, and debris build up on the surface of your door and seep into the seams along the frame. These environmental “treasures” aren’t just unsightly—they create the perfect breeding ground for moisture, wood rot, mold, and algae.
Regular cleaning gives exterior wood surfaces a chance to dry out when the weather is nice. It also helps you catch early signs of damage before they turn into emergencies that require costly repairs.
To clean your wood door, follow these best practices:
For added protection, you can also buff in a small amount of boiled linseed oil (not regular) with a microfiber cloth. This will darken the color of the door slightly, but helps repel moisture and mold.
Painting or sealing your door provides a protective layer against weather damage, UV rays, and moisture intrusion. It also lowers your risk for warping, cracking, and fading if the door is directly exposed to the sun or rain on a regular basis. Follow the steps below for the best results.
Start by deciding whether you want to paint or stain. Both will protect your door from the elements, but paint is opaque and hides the grain; stain is clear or tinted and highlights it instead.
It’s best to tackle this job on a dry day when you aren’t expecting any precipitation. Avoid painting or sealing when it’s cold, raining, or snowing—it may not cure correctly, leading to cracks and bubbles.
Once you’re ready, follow these steps:
If you apply a stain or sealant, you can also buff boiled linseed oil into the surface every few months with a soft microfiber cloth. This will bring the color to life again and lock moisture out.
If you start to notice fading, peeling, or discoloration on your exterior doors, it’s probably time to refinish them. This is the best way to restore the natural beauty of the wood, but it can also help you reset the clock if you find your paint or sealant just isn’t lasting long enough anymore.
As before, start your refinishing job on a dry day when you aren’t expecting any rain or snow. It may be helpful to remove any hardware, like the knob and locks, before you start.
You can reinstall any hardware once the stain is dry to the touch.
If your door isn’t directly exposed to the weather, it won’t develop issues related to wear and tear as quickly. Installing an overhang—a small roof or awning above the door—will shield it from rain and sun.
Storm doors are another great option. They provide an extra layer of protection from wind, rain, and extreme temperatures, so they’re ideal for climates with harsh weather. They also give pets the ability to survey their kingdom while they’re still safe and sound indoors.
Make it a practice to check your door for issues like cracks in the wood and peeling paint every so often. Both make it easier for water to seep into the wood, which can eventually lead to rot. For the best possible protection, follow this long-term maintenance and inspection routine:
Taking simple steps like these will help keep your door in great shape for years.
Most leaks start at the roof and eventually travel downward to the wood surfaces in your home. By protecting your roof, you can also protect everything below it—doors, trim, siding, and more. It’s a smarter, more complete approach to exterior protection.
Roof Maxx is an all-natural, plant-based treatment that helps restore flexibility to your asphalt shingles and prevent granule loss. The treatment itself isn’t intended for weatherproofing, but it helps preserve the structural integrity of your shingles—which lowers your risk for leaks around the flashing, fascia, and walls.
Roof Maxx is a top choice for customers and clients all across the US—but don’t just take our word for it! Check out these real testimonials and reviews from our clients to see what they have to say.
Roof Maxx treatments cost up to 80% less than the cost of a full roof replacement, but they can potentially extend the life of your roof by up to 15 years. It’s a budget-friendly way to protect the exterior of your home without harming the environment or anyone in it.
You want to do everything you can to keep your home in great shape. Get the best possible protection from mold and water intrusion by making roof maintenance a regular part of your exterior upkeep.
Cleaning, sealing, and refinishing your wood exterior doors makes them more weather-resistant and can help keep them in good condition for decades. Installing weatherstripping and overhangs is also helpful, but for maximum protection, you need to start with the first line of defense—your roof and shingles.
Roof Maxx helps maintain the integrity of your asphalt shingles so they stand the best chance of protecting areas vulnerable to water intrusion, like your flashing and fascia. Connect with your nearest dealer now to get a free quote.
With our five-year, transferable warranty, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that your roof and entire home are protected.
Roof Maxx Technologies LLC
