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This article was published on August 11, 2021
Choosing a new front door can be a complex decision, from picking the right style to suit you and your property, to colours and ironmongery; it can all be a bit of a minefield. However, one of the most important decisions you will make is the material your door is made from.
Many people are led to believe that uPVC doors have a longer lifespan than a timber counterpart; this is actually not the case. If cared for properly, a timber door has an average lifespan of 56-65 years. However, we know of timber doors which are hundreds of years old and are still in great condition. uPVC on the other hand, has an average lifespan of just 25-35 years.
Many websites mention that good maintenance increases the lifespan of a timber door, but doesn’t go into detail about what you need to look out for. This article discusses how you can extend the life of your wooden front door.
We recommend conducting an annual inspection of your door and frame to check for any damage or general wear and tear. It’s best to do this in the spring/summer in order to conduct any work needed before the bad weather draws in. It is also easier to spot any flaking paint on brighter days.
There are four areas you need to check when completing your inspection…
Check for any flaking paint, this will affect the waterproofing of your door so it’s important to undertake any maintenance as soon as possible. It’s also important to check around the edge of the door as it’s a common place for damage to occur.
If you have glazing, check around the seals and any leadwork for leakage or damage. Always seek advice for this as it’s a delicate area to manage and you could make the matter worse if attempting a DIY job.
It is also important to note that paint will not last forever; we recommend you repaint doors every 5 five years or stain every 3 to maintain our 8 year warranty/guarantee. This is not to mean that it will last longer, hence we recommend annual inspections to maximise the longevity of your door.
Many people ignore the frame when doing an inspection, but it is one of the most important parts to ensure your door is energy efficient by not letting water or wind into your home.
Before inspecting, wipe down the area with a damp cloth to ensure you can get an accurate look of the frame. Check the join of the door frame for cracks or warps, if you spot any it’s important to get this fixed as soon as possible to prevent moisture swelling the frame. If untreated, this would result in problems with your door fitting in the frame.
Next, check the frame does not have any damage, such as chips or dents. These can affect the seal of the door to the frame and so will affect efficiency. It is important to fix these issues before they become more of a problem.
Finally, check the paintwork. If there are any flakes the frame will need repainting. It is important to fully prepare the area before applying a new coat of paint; just painting over it will result in it flaking again.
Regularly wipe down the door seals with a damp cloth to keep dirt and moss to a minimum. You will need to check the seals are attached to either the frame or the door, without any breaks. Door seals are not only there to protect your home from the wind or rain, but are required by law under FD30S to prevent the spread of smoke. If there is any damage to your door seals, this must be rectified immediately.
Check that your door opens and closes smoothly, if not, the hinges may need some lubrication applying to the joints.
Rust can develop over time as the hinge will come into contact with moisture. This occurs over time and can be managed if caught early. If you find that there is a small amount of rust, there are products available to remove it.
If the hinges are too badly corroded, they will need to be replaced.
Wooden front doors are a beautiful, durable and sustainable asset to your home. With the right maintenance and care, your door will undoubtedly outlive and outperform a uPVC counterpart.
We hope that you’ve found this article useful. If you would like a quote or advice on a new wooden front door, please do get in touch either by calling 01642 45616 or emailing sales@erwltd.co.uk and a member of our team will be in touch.
You can also download our brochure here: https://erwltd.co.uk/brochure/
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Our whole experience with ERW joiners has been absolutely first class. Our first meeting was a showroom appointment with Stuart Wall, I personally loved the showroom straightaway, the colours of the sample doors blew me away.
To the skilled craftsmen of joiners who made our front door, who we have not met, but who we will forever be grateful too – their craftsmanship is beyond compare – thank you so very much.
Mrs Lister
Having just recently had wooden windows installed by your company, I would like to thank you for the professional and efficient service you provided. From my initial phone call to ERW through quotation and survey it all went very smoothly. I congratulate you on your work force who were all polite, punctual, reliable, tidy, helpful, considerate and very hard working. A CREDIT TO ERW! Needless to say I am delighted with my new windows and would not hesitate to recommend ERW to anyone who wants to deal with a professional family run firm.
Mrs B, Wolviston, Billingham
Thanks so much for excellent service, so happy with new door, it’s exactly how I wanted it to look . Everyone at ERW was so helpful and informative from start to finish, I will definitely recommend to all friends and family.
Kathryn N
We just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that we are very happy with both our secondary glazing and the new double glazing that has very recently been fitted by ERW Joinery Ltd in our home. Despite having some reservations about the aesthetics and impact it would have on the ‘period’ of the house, we both think the windows look great. In addition to this we have already noticed that the house feels much warmer and also retains the heat for longer. I thought that the advice you gave us was excellent & the attention to detail from yourself and your workforce was so important in helping us decide about the best products. Could you also please pass on our thanks to the workforce who were professional, hardworking and above all craftsmen. We will certainly be happy to recommend your company to any of our friends who may be considering similar work.
Ms R, Darlington
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We're not able to carry out installations in your postcode area, however, we can still design and create your door, and you can liaise with a local fitter in your area to install it.
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