LOCATION: Garage Door Direction & Environment
Is your custom wood door going to have lots of sun exposure? Do you have gutters on the house to keep the water away? Letting our team know about the exposure and how the door will be situated on the house is helpful in determining the best wood species, finish and maintenance to achieve the greatest longevity.
Southern and western exposures can push the limits of finishes, especially if a dark stain is selected, and will require maintenance sooner than those on the north and east sides. Water can also have an effect on doors – houses near water can also be susceptible to more frequent maintenance as are those without eave overhangs/gutters that leave a door less protected from the elements.
Maintaining your wood door is critical. Applying a maintenance clear coat every 12 to 24 months is a general rule of thumb. Let your door tell you when it needs a maintenance clear coat – it’s time to apply a clear coat when the door doesn’t look very vibrant. The timing on this will vary due to climate conditions, which direction the door is facing, water exposure, etc. Moreover, its critical to maintain the integrity of the clear coat AKA (sheen of armor) to ensure that the weather doesn’t eat into the stain. You shouldn’t need to re-stain your door if you keep up with the maintenance clear coat.