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When the temperatures dip, an external door can make all the difference in keeping your home warm and comfortable. It is an important part of a home’s overall insulation system, and you must choose one that is up to the job. Whether you’re replacing an old door, or building a new home, this Winter Essential Guide will help you learn all about external wooden doors, and make sure you choose the right one for your needs.
With this guide, you’ll get all the information you need to ensure your home is properly insulated and protected from the cold. We’ll cover everything from why external timber doors change in the winter, to tips on how to maintain and care for them. So, if you’re looking for a reliable and cost-effective way to keep your home warm this winter, this guide is a must-read!
Why does a door swell and get stuck?
As the temperatures drop, the wooden fibres that make up a door will begin to reduce in size. Once the weather warms up again, these fibres will swell back up. When this process is repeated numerous times, the door will eventually be too small or too large for its frame.
The gap between a front door and its frame is quite small, so a slight warping can make it tough to open and close. In most situations, the door that has been distorted will start to drag on the floor due to gravity. As the door warps, the hinges will become loose, which will cause it to separate from them as exacerbated when forced if the door difficult to open.
You should also look out for cracks in your wooden internal doors. Cracking in our homes can be caused by a decrease in humidity inside that is not a direct consequence of cold temperatures but is rather due to the heating systems we use to fight the winter chill. When there is a lack of humidity in the air, it will take water from whatever source it can find, like the moisture that is inside your door, and that can lead to warping and cracking.
A working front door is essential to security and keeping the heat in, so if in doubt look for local expert door repairs or consider new composite doors.
How can you prepare your door for colder weather?
Listed below are a few ways where you can counteract the colder climates.
Sealing
If any spaces in the door frames or on your exterior door, it is essential to make sure they are properly filled. This can be achieved through the use of sealing strips that can fit around the sides of the door, as well as an acrylic sealant that can be put onto the edges. When the door is shut, either side of the door will compress a bit to make sure that there aren’t any spaces. This will keep the look of the door intact, and aid in insulating it and blocking out drafts of cold air.
Finishing
Not only should we ensure that the gaps along the perimeter of our doors are properly sealed, but we should also take measures to secure the wood from damage caused by dampness. Applying a layer of wax to the door will act as a kind of moisturizer to keep the wood in good condition. The oil will be absorbed by the wooden door, creating a protective layer between the moisture inside and the dry atmosphere surrounding it. Additionally, it will enhance the appearance of the wood.
It is essential to make sure the timber is completely dry before applying wax, as trapping any additional moisture within the door can cause more damage.
Insulating
It is important to pay attention to the heat energy that transfers via convection through the door. This is especially important in the case of sliding doors for cold rooms since they cover more wall space and are responsible for preserving warmth indoors.
In order to keep out the cold during winter, consider adding draught excluders to the bottom and sides of your doors. An even better way to keep the warmth in is to install thicker and denser doors.
Tightening
In addition to maintaining the wood of the door and making sure it effectively blocks out chilly air, you should also make sure it is firmly attached to the frame. Achieve this by tightening the hinges, which can loosen due to warping as time passes. When fastening with a screwdriver, it is essential to do so slowly and carefully, as opposed to using a drill. If you twist the screw too much, the socket can be damaged, and the screw will no longer be functional.
Humidifier
It would be best to purchase a humidifier to properly ventilate your home but careful that over-humidify as it would cause more problems. Maintaining an even level of moisture in your house will not only help prolong the life of your doors, but also any other wooden furnishings you have in your house.
Which door are affected by the winter?
Sliding Patio doors
In the winter season, doors with glazing are the most vulnerable area of your house and sliding doors can also freeze in the run making them difficult to open. Patio doors often have a lot of glass, as it makes it look like there’s more space inside your home.
When it comes to cold climates, the most suitable patio doors are usually double-glazing or triple-glazing. This kind of technology involves inserting a layer of inert gas, such as argon, between two pieces of glass. This creates a heat loss barrier which is ideal for patio doors in colder climates.
Front doors
The front door must be able to prevent cold temperatures from entering, as well as stay securely closed and not warp. So, the best doors to keep out the cold are those built with a strong core and an aesthetically pleasing veneer on the outside. When temperatures fluctuate, the individual planks that make up the core will each deform differently, helping to offset the warping of their neighbouring pieces.
When you are purchasing wooden doors for outdoor use in a place with cold weather, you should be mindful that regular upkeep is necessary to keep the thermal insulating capacity of the door and its appearance. However, to prevent warping and cracking, a re-coating of the surface should be done from time to time.
