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Sunlight has been known to damage wooden doors. Ultraviolet light can damage the outside of the door and temperature variations can cause the wood to crack. Sunlight may also cause the colour of your door to fade over time. To reverse these effects, you will have to refinish your door. This can be an expensive and time-consuming process. Thankfully, there are some ways that you can limit the effect that sun damage can have on your wooden doors.

You might also want to check out: How do you renew a wooden door?

Block the sunlight directed towards the door

First, you might want to plant some trees or install an awning over the doorway. This can limit the amount of sunlight that your door receives. It will also help regulate temperature extremes. If you do choose to plant trees, make sure that you choose an evergreen variety. This ensures that there will always be plenty of leaves to shield your door from the sun. This technique can also help reduce your energy costs, as you don’t need to pay as much to cool your house during the summer months. It can also provide a shady area where you can relax. This might add value to your property when you decide to sell the house. Generally, it’s better to install an awning over your door. This will provide constant protection from the sun. Also, you can use the covering to help protect your outdoor furniture from sun damage. This can help your equipment last longer, saving you money.

Apply a layer of protection on the door

You might also want to consider adding a UV layer to protect the wood. To do this, remove the door from the hinges and lay it flat on a sawhorse. Then, you can remove the hardware from the door. You should also take the time to fill in any cracks with a wood filler. Repairing this damage regularly will help extend the lifespan of the door. Afterwards, use a paintbrush to apply the clear layer of UV protection. You might want to select a product that is designed specifically for boats. This has been designed to withstand harsh conditions and is also waterproof. You can find these products at most marine stores. Often, you produce the best results if you paint with the grain of the wood. Then, leave the door to dry. Finally, replace the hardware and re-install the door. This layer of UV protection should help your door withstand the sun’s radiation. Also, doing this can reduce the number of cracks that the door develops. It might also help the wood deal better with the impacts of rain and snow.

Often, the first thing that people see when they arrive at your property is the exterior door. However, it’s easy for these doors to be damaged by the sun and weather conditions. This can cause the wood to get cracked and the colour to fade. We discussed some things that you can do to protect your door from these negative effects. Use these tips to keep your door looking great for a long time!

Pieter Boyce - Wooden Window and door specialist

Pieter Boyce
Wooden Window and Door Specialist

This article was written on behalf of Fortis & Hooke by Pieter Boyce. Pieter has an intense passion for English Architectural history and has been specialising in the conservation of original wooden windows and doors for decades. His exceptional knowledge of timber windows and doors, both listed or non-listed, is attributed to his hands-on approach to learning all aspects of the complete restoration of original features as well as having personally surveyed thousands of items throughout his long tenure as a head surveyor for one of the largest window and door restoration companies in the UK. He now runs a boutique wooden window and door consultancy and fervently champions the retention of original windows and doors. To learn more of Pieter’s services, visit his website at www.boultonboyce.co.uk.

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