How do you repair a crack in a wooden door?

Wooden doors are assets to period houses. However, because it has been used for quite a long time, it can suffer some damages. A common problem with a wooden door is the development of cracks. Although cracks are mostly harmless, the tiny opening can introduce unwanted draught or extra sunlight. These can go from a slight bother to posing a difficult environment inside the home. Fortunately, some repairs can easily be done to get rid of the cracks.

Why do you need to repair these cracks?

As previously mentioned, wooden doors can be great assets to period properties. They can define an era through its style and age. Aside from that, the wood used from old wooden doors are made to last long and are generally stronger than new ones. With that said, restoration is always a better option, especially when dealing with minor issues with the door. 

Can I repair these cracks on my own?

You can choose to repair these damages on your own, as some simple repairs can be done even by people who are not experts in the craft. However, if you are not keen on making the extra effort or do not have the confidence to fix it on your own, it can be better to call a specialist to restore your door.

You might also want to check out: How to restore your old wood front door

How do I repair a crack in a wooden door?

Before anything else, inspect the damage. Where is the crack located? Is it the wood panel or the rails? Did it crack from stretching or was anything chipped off due to other reasons? If the cracks are from the increased strain on your door, then you can probably glue them back together. If a part was chipped off, then using fillers may be more useful.

The simplest way to repair a crack in the wooden door is to use wood filler or putty. The choice of whether to use one from the other depends on what you are going for. If you are meaning to do a refinish on these doors with a uniform coat, a wood filler is best. This is applied before finishing, and after it is dried up, sanding may be necessary. Once it is dried up and hardened, you can proceed to apply varnish or paint. Wood putty does not harden and can withstand extra stretching and shrinking over time. This can be a good consideration as an easy repair for external doors, and you can choose the closest colour to match your door’s style.

For cracks that result from stretching, you may want to just force the parts back together. If the issue is in the wood panel, you can attempt to remove it, or if it is difficult to do so, just pry it back together using glue. Remember to clean the slits carefully to perfectly reattach them.

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Wooden doors can be very handy for a long time, especially when handled with care. Proper maintenance and repairs can do the trick for you and can ensure that your door can withstand whatever environment it is on.