Considering a Wood Front Entry Door

7 years ago

I'd like to replace our cheap, whatever it is, builder-grade door with a new one, and I'd really like a wood one if possible and if cost is not ridiculous. I just like the look of the grain of a wood door. Doesn't have to be super high quality or intricately detailed or anything, and don't want any glass in it or any sidelights. I know there are fiberglass and steel alternatives, but for now, I'm just asking about the feasibility of wood for my situation. I'll consider the alternatives if the opinions are that wood really wouldn't work for me.

That said...here's the situation: Our house faces pretty much west, so gets lots of full sun, and the porch is not covered, so no protection from the elements.

So what I'm imagining is a wood door, and using penetrating oil on it. Not paint, because (IMO) that just ruins the whole look and feel of "wood", and not a varnish because it will just crack/peel/etc. soon enough, and it's a pain to sand/recoat. I realize I would need to wipe on more penetrating oil what, once a year? Maybe twice a year? But that seems simple enough, and I wouldn't mind doing that.

Now because of the uncovered porch, I'd need to add a storm door for protection or this whole thing doesn't even make sense. But I know there can be huge heat buildup inside a storm door, so I should use a vented storm door.

Please tell me if this plan sounds practical. Will the combination of penetrating oil (with regular reapplications) and vented storm door be enough to protect it and keep it looking good? Or is wood too high risk (lost cause?) in this situation? I don't want to do it if it's gonna be a warped, dried out, faded mess no matter how much I keep after it.

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MDLN

7 years ago

I have a wood door and love the feel, and sound when someone knocks. No doorbell, but have a brass knocker. No problems, but I live in Chgo, it is east facing, have a storm door, so my experience may not be applicable to your situation.

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Comments (7)

User
7 years ago
Upkeep is a huge factor in using a wood door. Heat/UV sun are wood killers. If you use a storm door, heat is trapped between the storm/wood, then include the evening sun, the results intensify the problems.

Actually, painting the door is the best protection. Just use clear paint.

I'll wait as you digest that statement.

I said use clear(see through/transparent/no color) paint. I favor Sherwin Williams A-100 ultra deep tint base----without adding any color at all. That is paint without any color, since to get a color, all that is added is tinting colors. It is a milky white when applied, yet dries completely clear.

The picture is of an 8' tall walnut cross I built and installed at our mayors church(it had to be good) almost two years ago. Nothing but two coats of the A100 tint base for finish.
klem1
7 years ago
A cross for the mayor? Is there a subliminal message in that? (:
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User
7 years ago
Actually, it was for a member of his congregation and set in a memorial garden spot. :-)
PRO
Beth H. :
7 years ago
Try Penofin . It is an oil. they have one for exterior with UV and weather protectants. You will have to re-coat every year.
headmotty
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for the Penofin recommendation, Beth. I will keep that in mind.

And thanks for the clear paint idea too, HandyMac. Never heard of that and can't find many other mention of it, but will keep that in mind as well.
MongoCT
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I made a 42" wide mahogany 4-panel front entry door for my home several years ago. I used Cetol Door& Window. It is covered and it faces northeast so it only sees some direct sun until around noon.

Even though it's not taxed in my installation, Cetol has pretty strong UV protection.

One of the advantages of Cetol D&W is that to renew it you clean, dry, then recoat. There's no need for sanding or to take it back down to bare wood, although I'll probably do a very light scuff sanding.

My door has been installed for five years now, climate is New England. I thought I'd have to give it a renewal coat around year three, but it still looks fine going into its fifth winter.

As to physical wear and durability, I also have a mahogany threshold on the door, also finished with D&W. No damage at all to the wood or to the finish.

Considering a Wood Front Entry Door

MDLN

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klem1

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Considering a Wood Front Entry Door

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