Friday, August 10, 2012

Be a Perfect 'Wood Picker'! - Selecting the Right Wood for Your Doors

Wood is something permanent, when it comes to wood in the form of doors. This is what people think, but seldom do they know that it is an age old myth that wood is indestructible nor do they know that it is a myth as well, the belief that wooden doors and furniture don't need any additional attention and maintenance. The first step to be taken when obtaining a door or wood for a door is to examine to make sure it is of good quality. Also need to be made sure that the wood has been seasoned to withhold weather constraints and is properly protected. Proper care is very much necessary in order to ensure long life to the wood after the installation.



Generally, wood contains some amount of moisture. This makes the wood react in various ways to the environment that surrounds, depending on the moisture levels of the wood. Your goal is to make sure that these levels don't go to extremes and that your door is as protected as it can be against changes in levels so that warping or other damage doesn't occur. Should a door be unprotected and soak in too much moisture, it will expand, just as if there is too little moisture in the air, the door will shrink. Both of these extremes can do damage to your door and possibly even the area around it. This can include areas such as hinges and door jambs. Doors are best when they are treated the right way from the beginning. The wood must be cared for in a stable environment and then should be finished. This may be done at the factory where the doors are made, but if they are not then you need to finish them on every single side for an even coat of protection.

It is important to maintain an even moisture level inside your home for doors that are inside so they don't expand or contract. Constant expansion or contraction can lead to doors cracking, splitting, de-lamination, warping, and even door failure. Humidity inside your home should remain at a range of 40-50%. Keep in mind that seasonal changes can also play a part in how a door fares. This is especially true for front doors. These need to have a good deal of protection if the door is constantly exposed to the elements such as rain, snow, and direct sunlight. If, when considering a door, you realize that it will be in a lot of these conditions and deal with extremes throughout its lifetime, it may be best to consider alternatives to a wood door or consider including a storm door to act as a barrier between the outside and the front door.

0 comments:

Post a Comment