Facelift For The Middle-Aged Door
How to recognize and reverse signs of aging at the front entry

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. December 28, 2006 — These days baby boomers aren’t the only ones worried about showing their age. When it comes to the middle-aged home, the front door is often the first to go.

That’s because exterior doors – one of the larger openings on the home – often take the brunt of UV exposure, wind and rain over a period of decades. A Harvard University study shows the average home in the United States is 32 years old and rising, so doors definitely develop their share of “age spots.”

“It’s important to understand the causes and effects of wear and tear on exterior doors because they provide security and energy efficiency benefits, not to mention curb appeal, for the home,” said Shane Meisel, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN® doors. “Proper maintenance – just a little attention over time – can help extend the life of exterior doors for many years.”

In addition, many homeowners are unsatisfied with the most important exterior door – the front entry. An independent study commissioned by JELD-WEN, the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors, showed that only 34 percent of homeowners selected their current front door. A full 58 percent said they would choose something entirely different.

So with both performance and curb appeal in mind, here is a guide to recognizing and reversing signs of aging on exterior doors.

Most Common Signs of Aging on Exterior Doors

Like a touch of silver at the temples, exterior doors also can show tell-tale signs of age, such as color fading and deterioration of the finish that can cause wood splitting and warping.

Experts say the primary culprits of exterior door aging are sun and water exposure.

“A front door that’s not adequately protected by an overhang or is subject to a high amount of UV exposure may age much more rapidly than a well-protected door, if not properly maintained,” Meisel said.

To maintain their youthful appearance, it’s important to regularly inspect exterior doors and repair problem spots such as:

    * Dents in the door surface
    * Fading of the door finish or a dull, whitish cast on the surface
    * Rust on door hardware
    * Swelling of the door beneath the finish
    * Cracks in the finish or door itself
    * Wood splitting around moulding or at the edges
    * Moulding shrinkage on the front or back of the door
    * Wood joint separation in the door’s structure
    * Water penetration between mouldings, panels and glass

Anti-Aging Regimen for Exterior Doors

Proper finishing. The first defense against premature aging of doors is proper finishing. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s directions and be sure to finish all six sides of the door. Even though you may not see the top and bottom, they can be conduits for doors to absorb moisture from the environment, causing swelling and cracking over time.

Correct exposure ratio. The placement of an exterior door plays a major role in its maintenance and longevity. It’s important to determine the amount of overhang that protects the door from sun and rain and understand the UV exposure generated by the direction the door faces. In mild climates, the overhang should equal at least one-half of the door’s height. More severe climates require larger overhangs. The industry term for the correct exposure ratio is “coefficient.”
High-performance materials. New advances in manufacturing technology have taken the worry out of wood doors. JELD-WEN now offers AuraLast® wood for U.S.-produced pine wood doors. Thanks to a revolutionary treatment process, AuraLast wood is guaranteed to resist termites and decay for 20 years.

Periodic inspection and maintenance. Just like any other exterior surface, doors need cleaning and care each year. Homeowners should expect to refinish wood doors every two to five years.  For solid wood doors, lightly sand, then wipe away dust with a clean cloth, slightly dampened with mineral spirits. For doors made of other materials, follow the manufacturer’s refinishing recommendations. Apply at least two coats of a fade-resistant exterior polyurethane with an ultraviolet inhibitor, following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Sand lightly between coats and be sure to finish all six sides of the door in the same manner.

Top Five Tips for Sprucing up the Front Entry:

JELD-WEN® Premium Wood Dutch Door

1. Make sure the weatherstrip is secure and functioning well, and look at all six sides of doors to ensure that edges are straight, not warped, swollen or cracked.
2. Run your hand across the finish of doors. If the door finish has a dull or dry feeling, or a whitish cast, that’s the first sign that the surface needs restoration.
3. Consider a new paint color. A touch of color for the front door gives the whole front of the home a lift. JELD-WEN’s new front door selector tool, offered at www.jeld-wen.com, allows homeowners to experiment with different looks online.
4. Install new hardware. This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to spruce up the front entry on your own. Be sure to consider how the color and finish of the hardware coordinates or contrasts with the color and texture of the front door, and select a low-maintenance finish. Examples of new hardware to consider are brass kick plates, door handles, locks and even mail slots.
5. Incorporate house numbers and lighting at the entryway. House numbers are a huge trend in “exterior design.” With more stylish options available than ever before, this little weekend project makes a big impact at the front entry. Likewise, a matching exterior light adds a warm and welcoming ambience.

For more door care and maintenance tips from JELD-WEN, the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors, visit www.jeld-wen.com/resources.