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Front Door Maintenance: Your How To Guide

Maintaining the condition of your front door is really important. As the gateway to your home, you need it to be secure, draught-free, and functioning well. 

Your front door is under constant use and is open to the elements. Keeping on top of regular tasks will avoid any wear and tear or other damage that could risk the integrity of your door. 

How do you maintain a front door?

There are a few basic tasks you can carry out regularly to maintain your front door. These are as follows:


  • Cleaning: a simple wipe down and clean helps to avoid any build-up that could damage the door. 
  • Repairing: fixing any damage as soon as possible helps avoid bigger problems. 
  • Refinishing: maintaining a high-quality finish will protect your door from the elements. 
  • Checking the door seals: make sure the rubber hasn't deteriorated, compromising energy-efficiency. 
  • Checking the hardware & lock mechanism: test for smooth operation and apply WD-40. 
  • Checking the fit: making sure nothing is sticking or stopping the door from operating smoothly. 

Regular maintenance will help external doors function well and can increase their life expectancy. 

Repairing a Sticking Entry Door 

 Getting the door to stop sticking when you open or close it is often as simple as cleaning up any build-up from the top of the door and cleaning the hinges. 

 If that isn't enough, try tightening the hinges. They tend to work loose over time so the door eventually sags. A quick tighten might be enough to solve any problems. 

 If that doesn't work you might need to take the door off the hinges and sand it. Of course, this won't be as easy with an external door as it will with an internal door as they are made of far more robust materials. 

 Many entry doors will be constructed from metal and plastic, so sanding them down isn't an option. If this is the case, a builder will be able to advise you on how to best deal with your door.


Protecting your door from sun damage 

 If your front door gets a lot of direct sunlight, it might need more protection to avoid sun damage. Add a thin coat of varnish with UV protection, or repaint with an oil-based paint. 

 You could also consider installing a front door canopy to help shield your door from the UV rays. 


How to take care of external wooden doors

Wooden external doors need the most maintenance to keep them in good condition. Any cracks or exposed areas will leave your exterior wood door vulnerable to moisture damage and rot. 

Protecting your wooden door from moisture

Whilst prefinished wood doors are weather resistant, they will need regular attention to make sure the finish remains intact. Clean your timber doors around twice a year and make sure they're completely dried. Remove dirt from hard-to-reach areas and from the door frame. 

Even if your door is protected with a porch, it will still be susceptible to the elements and will need repainting and restaining periodically to avoid wear and tear. Refinish your wooden front door every 2-3 years. You can do this with paint or varnish. This will help the door stand up to rain, snow and other adverse weather conditions. 

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You'll need to remove the old finish before applying a few coats of the new one. 


Rejuvenating your front door

A little light maintenance can have your front door looking like new. Here's how to revitalise it. 

Repainting 

If you have a wooden front door, it's easy to repaint or restain your door. Start by cleaning it and removing the existing finish. Remove the handle and hardware, mask any glazed areas and then apply your chosen paint. Make sure you allow it to dry thoroughly between each coat. 

 You can also check our more detailed guide on how to paint your front door.  

Cleaning 

Regularly cleaning your front door will keep it in good condition. The build-up of dirt and grime can damage the finish on your door, leaving it more vulnerable to damage. 

 If you have a uPVC door, then cleaning it should be super simple with a bucket of warm water and a sponge. Simply wash the door and dry it with an old cloth or rag. 

 If you have a wooden front door, you might need to be gentler with how you chose to wash it – a wipe-down with a soft sponge or damp cloth should do the trick. Having said that, exterior doors are designed to withstand the elements and frequently get rained on, so they should be robust and weatherproof enough to survive a washing down!

How To Polish Your Door Hardware 

Depending on how much time you want to spend on this task, you can either remove the hardware completely or leave it on the door and polish it where it is.

 Establish what the door hardware is made from: brass, wood or copper – this will determine how you clean it. Large DIY shops will sell specific cleaner for each metal.

A popular method of cleaning brass is to use things you''ll find around your home. Mix two teaspoons of lemon juice with teaspoons of vinegar – making it into a gritty paste with baking soda. Rub onto the brass with a cloth and polish it until it is clean and shiny. 

 If you have a PVC door handle on your exterior door then you can wash it with warm, soapy water.


How long should a front door last?

The average lifespan of a well-maintained front door is around 30 years. 

Because your front door is open to the elements, it may deteriorate more easily than an interior door. However, most external doors still have a really good lifespan if they're properly cared for and maintained.

Wooden doors

If you maintain a wooden front door well, the average lifespan is 50 years. 

Upvc doors

Most uPVC doors have a 10-year guarantee and can last around 35 years with good maintenance. 


Caring for your exterior doors for a longer lifespan

Whilst external doors do need a little more care and attention than internal doors, they can still last a very long time. If you put in the effort to look after your front door, you can increase it's lifespan and keep it safe, energy-efficient and secure.  

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