Did you know that the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome, has a wooden door that is over 1500 years old? This 1500-year-old door still contains the intricate designs and patterns on all of its panels. We are not saying that all wooden doors can last for over 1500 years, but with proper care and refinishing, wooden doors can easily last a lifetime.
Most people think that buying a nice and sturdy door is a job well done. Indeed, it is, but only half a job well done. Wooden doors, especially exterior doors – doors in your entryways – require to be continuously maintained in order to preserve their quality and essence.
If you’re not sure of what needs to be done, no need to panic. We are here to help you out. Follow along to get an understanding of what’s required of you to provide your door the proper care it needs.
Refinish your Door
Refinishing is simply the process of reapplying wood finishing. This will keep your wooden doors from decaying or preventing irreversible damage to them.
1. Regular Cleaning
The key to great looking door is regular cleaning. The frequency of cleaning however depends on a lot of factors such as – Is it an exterior or interior door? Do you have kids and pets in the house that may track mud into the house? What kind of exposure to elements of nature and weather does your door get?
Once you’ve answered all these questions, you’ll be able to determine the frequency with which you need to clean your door.
All you need is a washcloth and some mild soap. If you’re using a store-bought cleanser then it is a good idea to dilute it with half part water to make sure it doesn’t corrode your door. Gently scrub your door with a solution of water and cleanser. Make sure to pat your door dry when you’re done.
2. Lubricate Hinges
It is important that the doorknobs, hinges, handles, screws etc. are functioning properly at all times. A good way to keep them moving is to lubricate them often.
If you don’t have a lubricant handy, then we’d a few drops of olive oil. This will easily lubricate your squeaking hinges. We'd recommend using a pipette or oil can to make the process as easy and clean as possible. Simply apply a few drops of olive oil to the hinges and your hinge should soon be squeak-free.
3. Use Caulk in Joints
A caulk is basically a waterproof filler or sealant that is used for repairs of doors and windows. With time the edges and joints of wooden doors tend to develop cracks and start to peel off. Using caulks or sealants helps prevent damage from water or air.
4. Sand or Strip your Door
If your aim is to smooth out bumps, grooves or dirt accumulated over time, or due to weather exposure, then the best way to go is to sand your doors. Use a medium-grit sandpaper, to sand your door, and make sure to take your time.
How far you go on the sanding stage depends entirely on the condition of your door. If your door is heavily damaged, then you will need to completely remove the existing finish in order to restore a door, or to get an even consistent look. Even after stripping off the old finish – you will need to give your door a quick sand and wipe down.
(Save the dust created in the sanding process!)
5. Reapply Finish
This is a crucial final step in sprucing your door. Make sure you apply the same finish on your door that was used initially. Be it spar varnish, stain or lacquers, keep your choice of finish consistent. Use the coating evenly and lightly.
If there are more damages to your door that still need to be fixed then this is where your saved sawdust comes in handy. Collect all the sawdust, and proceed to mix with epoxy or glue and fill in any dents, chips or cracks and sand smooth before you apply a top coat.
Bonus: Removing Hinges and Hardware
The first step in the deep-cleaning process is to remove the hinges, doorknobs or handles, latches, mortice plate, key locks etc. from your door. This is not something you need to do daily, but for when your door is looking a bit too weather-worn and in need of some special care.
The aim is to remove all the hardware and anything that isn’t wood, from your wooden door. Once you’ve removed all the hardware make sure to mark them correctly and keep them in a safe place.
Once you’ve removed them you can use a metal polish to clean them, if a regular solution of soap and water doesn’t do the trick.
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