Caring for Wood Custom Garage Doors San Diego CA

Wood custom garage doors San Diego CA can add warmth and character to your home, but they can also be an eyesore if not properly maintained. Here are some tips for caring for your wood garage doors.

Inspect your Doors Regularly

Regular garage door inspections are important to keep your garage in good shape mechanically and physically. Every month, you should perform a visual inspection of the doors and garage door opener system. Pay special attention to the condition of any paint, finish, or sealant on the wood. Make note of any cracking or flaking, as the loss of this protective layer will allow moisture to penetrate the wood and potentially cause mold or mildew problems as well as swelling and warping.

Regulate Garage Temperatures

Wood tends to expand in hot, humid conditions and contract in cold, dry conditions. All this expanding and contracting can add unnecessary stress to a garage door’s finish or paint and lead to the need for more frequent refinishing. By making sure your garage is properly sealed and insulated, you can reduce the severity of temperature spikes and create a more stable atmosphere for your custom garage doors San Diego CA.

Repaint or Refinish as Needed

Wood garage doors need periodic repainting or refinishing to ensure that a seal is maintained between the wood and the weather. When choosing the type of finish to apply, remember that paint and varnish sit on the surface of the wood and are more prone to movement-induced stress cracking. Oils and stains, on the other hand, penetrate into the wood and create a more flexible, longer-lasting seal.

Don’t Powerwash

Powerwashers seem like a convenient way to prep a wood garage door for repainting or refinishing, but the fact is that some soft woods can be damaged by the high-pressure spray. You’re better off just using a garden hose and a brush to clean the door. If you have mold or mildew, you’ll just have to scrub a bit harder, or use a chemical cleanser. Be sure to allow the wood plenty of time to dry before applying the new coat of paint, oil, varnish, or stain.

Don’t Forget the Back

Even though you seldom see the back of your wood custom garage doors San Diego CA, you need to dedicate just as much attention to the back of the doors as to the front. If the back of the wood is left unprotected, it may swell or warp, putting stress on the finish on the front of the door and shortening its life.