Your door is more than just another door – it is a reflection of your home’s style and functionality. Be it a solid wood door or a sleek modern door, ensuring that your doors stay in top condition will ensure that they last for many years. At Doorland we know that an architectural door has more than just aesthetic appeal; there is also preservation on the inside too. Proper door maintenance will keep your doors looking great, protecting your investment, and performing flawlessly for years.
In this blog, we’ll examine five simple but crucial door maintenance tips that will help you extend the life of your architectural door, wood doors, and modern door designs. And we’ll examine easy-to-follow steps that will make your beautiful doors last even longer, saving you the trouble of costly repair or replacement. Ready to jump in? Let’s go!
1. Regular Cleaning is Key for Longevity
One of the easiest ways to extend the life of your architectural door is to maintain proper cleaning. Dirt, dust, and grime can build up over time and cause your door’s surface to show signs of wear much faster than it should. Cleaning prevents staining and keeps the door in good shape, and will help to prevent premature wear.
For wood doors you should never use any harsh chemical on it to wipe away dust. Most harsh chemicals can hurt the natural finish of the wood. A mild soap and warm water mixture will do wonders for getting sticky residue off the door. Dry your door completely afterward to avoid water damage if you have a solid wood door that is more susceptible to moisture damage.
When looking at modern doors or architectural doors made out of other materials you can use special cleaners made for this surface. Any type of door needs to be cleaned in order to keep its beautiful appearance and functionality.
Pro tip: Also, clean all hardware ( hinges / handles )! Dust and dirt can easily cause them to rust or become stiff over time.
2. Lubricate Hinges and Moving Parts
Another way you can make sure your door lasts longer is by keeping it well-lubricated. Whether you have a classic wood door or a modern door or a solid wood door, hinges and all its moving parts can begin to wear if you don’t put some extra effort into cleaning them regularly. Lubricating the hinges will reduce friction so that the door is easier to open and close. As well as keeping the frame of the door from getting damaged.
Use a good lubricant such as silicone spray or penetrating oil and coat the hinges and locking mechanisms. Wipe away excess lubricant to prevent dirt buildup. Lubricating regularly can help prevent squeaky doors, sticking issues, and even broken locks. It’ll save you from having to deal with expensive repairs in the future.
Interactive Tip: When was the last time you checked the hinges on your door? Give them a little love today!
3. Check for and Address Weather Stripping Issues
Weather stripping is often overlooked, but it’s a vital part of your door’s function, especially in protecting your home from drafts. For architectural doors, wood doors, and modern doors, the weather stripping seals the door against air, dust, and moisture. Over time, weather stripping can wear down, crack, or get damaged, leaving gaps that let cold air or water in.
To ensure your doors remain energy-efficient, inspect the weather stripping around your door regularly. If you find any cracks or tears, replace it promptly. You can find weather stripping at most hardware stores, and it’s relatively easy to install. This small maintenance task will improve the door’s insulating ability, protect it from water damage, and enhance the overall comfort of your home.
Pro Tip: Not sure if your weather stripping needs replacing? Close the door and check for visible light coming through. If you can see daylight, it’s time to replace the weather stripping.
4. Maintain the Paint or Finish
You need to consider the finish on your architectural door as it affects the durability as well as appearance of your door. Whether the finish you have chosen is stained wood and looks fantastic, or if it’s a modern paint job. Sunlight, moisture, and other environmental factors all contribute to the appearance of the finish and their effect on the longevity of your architectural door.
For best finish of the door take some care to re-seal the door or repaint the door after every year or so. For wood doors you should give it a new stain or varnish to protect it from deterioration and keep it looking good. For modern doors you should give it a fresh paint for a new exciting look.
Clean the finish of the door periodically to look for signs of wear, such as chipping or discoloration. Touching up spots as needed will help prevent further damage and keep your doors looking like new for longer.
Interactive Tip: Take a few minutes to check the finish on your doors. Are there spots you need to ‘semi-touch up ‘? It’s a quick fix to keep your beautiful doors looking great.
5. Inspect for Damage and Make Repairs Promptly
Finally, regularly check your doors for signs of damage. Whether you have solid wood doors, gorgeous doors, or modern architectural doors, problems like cracks, warping, or chips can begin to worsen over time if they are not addressed promptly. Recognizing these issues early on will help prevent more extensive damage to the doors in the future.
You should deal with any damage as soon as possible, such as cracks or chips. Wood cracks and chips can be patched up with wood filler if they are small. Modern doors are generally more tolerant of minor dents and scratches (with some paint touch-up or filler). If the damage is more severe you may need to take it to a professional for repair.
Pro Tip: It is easy to overlook small issues, but fixing them promptly can save you money and headaches in the future! Set a reminder to check your doors every season!
Conclusion
How to maintain your doors doesn’t have to be overwhelming or time-consuming. Those simple door maintenance tips you’ll start using will help extend the life of your architectural doors, wood doors, and modern door designs. With our expert tips and guidance, your beautiful doors will run smoothly and stay new for years to come.
Remember that cleaning, lubrication, seasonal weather stripping maintenance, and troubleshooting any repairs right away will all help keep your doors in tip-top shape. So by taking an early action, you’ll be getting the most out of your investment, whether it’s solid wood doors or modern/stately ones.
The Doorland name is synonymous with top-quality doors and long-lasting solutions. We’re so excited to bring you these door care tips to help keep your doors looking their best. Have a question? Need more information? Drop by Doorland today—we’re here to help!
More about maintaining architectural doors. Contact us now to learn more about our maintenance services and quality architectural doors!