The entrance to your home is the way into your world, your sanctuary. Whether you like to make a statement or prefer to be more discreet, the kind of door you have chosen for your home entrance is bound to let out speculation. Whether wood, fiberglass, or steel, your entrance door is one of the first things guests will notice.
Talking about front doors, one of the most widely chosen options is often wooden front doors. And the reason is obvious, too, in their case; beautiful, luxurious, and very durable doors. Many people choose customized wooden front doors to add a vintage element to their home, while others pick them for how strong and evergreen it is.
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Different kinds of wood for wooden front door
As much as wooden doors are beautiful, there are many options. Wooden doors are easy to incorporate in almost all architecture and design. They not only add a classy effect to the entrance, but they also wear beautifully compared to many metal or fiberglass material doors. Depending on what matters most to you, be it the price point, looks, durability, or design, there is something there for everyone. Here are some of the best wood types for you to consider for your wooden front door;
Oak Wood Doors
Oak is a very hard and durable type of wood that is often a great choice for the front door. Oak doors are weather and pressure resistant, making them an ideal choice for outdoor. Being dense, oak tends to preserve heat during winters and cool during summers. Since the front doors are opened multiple times daily, they undergo more wear and tear than other doors around the house. Stained or not, oak wood doors are a beautiful first impression on anyone visiting your house.
Alder Wood Doors
Looking for an affordable and lightweight option? Alder is the one for you. Alder wood is a great option for exterior doors if you want something with a little character and unique elements. Alder is another kind of wood that stains well, giving you a range of shades. It is also an affordable option in case you are on a budget.
Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our article on ‘2023’s Best Front Door Ideas Perfect For Your House!’ offers a detailed content on front door ideas to elevate the entrance of your home.
Cherry Wood Doors
Known for their bright red color, cherry wood doors are one of the best dark-stained wood options. They are moderately hard in texture and are also extremely strong. Doors made of cherry wood have good shock resistance, making them a safe option for your front door. Another known fact about cherry wood is that it tends to darken over time, so if that is something that you like, it could be a pro for you.
The only visible drawback in the case of cherry wood doors is their cost; cherry wood is an expensive wood in itself, and doors made of it are also far more costly than others. So, if you have outstanding taste and a large budget for your front door, do not skip on giving cherry wood doors a look.
Mahogany Wood Doors
Mahogany is one of the most popular wood choices for front doors. Its beautiful deep red shade is remarkable, and mahogany wood is easy to work with. Easy to paint and stain, any changes of heart are also welcome. Mahogany wood is very durable, strong, and highly recommended for doors and furniture. One of the best things about mahogany is that it is water resistant and doesn’t shrink or expand, making it an ideal choice for being placed outdoors.
Hickory Wood Doors
While hickory wood is a popular door option, it comes with its pros and cons. In terms of pros, cost and durability are major ones. Hickory wood is a fairly affordable and extremely durable kind of wood. It is widely used in carpentry because of how many color variations it offers and what a beautifully distinct grain it has. It is an easy-to-care-for and maintain kind of wood, making it hassle-free even during aftercare. The only drawback here is that hickory wood tends to swell up at times, making it a little subjective to higher humidity levels.
Maintenance Of A Wooden Front Door
While these beautiful doors are the statement you need, they need much more care than others. Several things can be done to prolong the life of wooden doors, such as the following;
- Clean regularly with a cotton cloth and warm water (twice a month)
- Avoid using harsh and abrasive cleaners
- Make sure that your door is well-dried after cleaning every time
- Check all hinges and seals to make sure that any nook or corner is not detached or wrongly fitted
- Check for any cracks and water penetrations every once in a while to prevent decay
- Coat your door with protective oil-based top coats to ensure their shine for many more years
Cost Of Wooden Front Door
Wooden front doors are surely a statement piece that can also affect the value of your home. While everyone has their budget for their homes, a solid wood front door is always a must. Depending on the type of wood, the weight of the door, and the amount of labor that could have gone into it, the cost of a wooden front door may vary from situation to situation.
Basic slab or pre-hung doors can begin as low as just $400, but depending on the kind of customizations you are willing to take on the door, and the kind of hardwood you have chosen, the cost can increase by thousands too.
Lifespan Of A Wooden Front Door
Wooden front doors come in various types, weights, and colors. Keeping all these factors in mind, their lifespan is also variable. A stronger and heavier kind of wood will last longer, while a lighter, thinner one may be less durable. Also, the kind of care and looking after plays a major role here. If one looks after their door well and makes sure to clean them, apply topcoats, and check them regularly, the door will eventually last for many more years. On average, wooden doors can last between 20 to 60 years if looked after well.
Weatherproof Wooden Outdoor Doors
While wooden doors are a beautiful asset for your home, they require some upkeep. Since front doors are well placed outdoors, they must be more weatherproof than other doors around your house. There are several ways to ensure that the doors are weather resistant such as;
Add a layer of paint or varnish
Exterior-grade products that come with UV protection are your best friend. They will prevent the paint from painting, protect the wood of your door, and maintain a certain amount of shine throughout the years. What needs to be kept in mind here is that whether you choose oils, varnishes, or paints, be sure to reapply it whenever needed and follow up with the required maintenance. These products only give the best results when regularly reapplied and taken care of.
Be on the lookout for draughts
One of the major contributors to your door’s longevity is how well and correctly it has been hung. But other than that, any wrongly hung door can also let in wind and rain. The best way to check this is by turning on lights outside your hallway and closing the door shut. Then from the inside, you can see if any light is coming in from any part of the door irregularly. That brilliant light will indicate where the draughts will be coming in from.
Add barrier curtains
Barrier curtains are among the best ways to draughtproof and cold-bridge your door. With a barrier curtain, you can prevent sudden loss of heat and coolness, and at the same time, you can prevent sudden surges of wind and rain in your home too.
Add sealants like internal foam strips
Internal foam strips are another great way of preventing draughts. These can be installed around the door and act as a seal on all sides. It is highly recommended to install these foam strips by a professional to ensure that all sides are nicely secured, and there is no inefficiency in operating the door.
Sweeps at your door’s threshold
You can use seals like sweeps to seal and block out the bottom part of the door. These add some airtightness to the door and ensure it is completely sealing out the outdoor weather of the home. These come in various styles and give you many options to choose from and pick something as per the design of your door.
Regular inspection for decay
You must regularly inspect and check your wooden door for defects or decay. Regular checking can be instrumental, especially in spotting further decay beforehand. You can foresee and correct any upcoming repairs by ensuring that the pain lasts well and the door is well-hinged.
Conclusion
Wooden front doors can be a great asset to a property. They are different from regular steel or fiberglass doors, but the amount of beauty and class they would add to your home is also unmatched. What is most important here is to care after them.
If you were to buy an amazing and expensive art piece and hang it in your home, you would pay extra attention to how it is being taken care of. Similarly, for wooden doors, there needs to be a little extra love and care that goes in looking after them. You must regularly inspect, clean, and check them to ensure they are not damaged. But the best part about them is that, if you do your part, these doors will not only add beauty and value to your home but also stand strong for decades.
FAQs
What is the ideal lifespan of a wooden front door?
If one looks after their door well and makes sure to clean them, apply topcoats, and check them regularly, the door will eventually last for many more years. On average, wooden doors can last between 20 to 60 years if looked after well.
How much would a wooden front door cost?
Basic slab or pre-hung doors can begin as low as just $400, but depending on the kind of customizations you are willing to take on the door, and the kind of hardwood you have chosen, the cost can increase by thousands too.
