How to finish wooden doors

CARE OF TIMBER DOORS

After delivery it is vital that doors are correctly treated to ensure that the moisture content is appropriate for the situation and that they are not physically damaged in unloading, storage and installation. For external doors ensure all faces & edges are treated with a minimum of 3 coats of oil based high quality external wood stain or paint. Good practice avoids damage, maintains quality and saves money.

DELIVERY AND STORAGE

Check doors at the time of delivery to ensure the delivery is complete and correct and the components, including protective packaging are not damaged. Doors cannot be returned once finished or fitted unless proven faulty through inspection. Door Solutions will not be liable for any costs incurred for re-hanging or re-finishing due to faulty doors.
Doors manufactured in accordance with BS1186: Parts 1 and 2: 'Quality of timber and workmanship in joinery' are made from timber with a moisture content between 10% and 19% depending on their type and location. For long term performance of the door and finish, it is important that the appropriate moisture content is maintained during storage on site and during the construction process.

HANDLE DOORS CAREFULLY

" Always handle doors and doorsets carefully to avoid physical damage. Leave packaging on for as long as possible.
" Doors delivered in the white should be sealed or knotted and primed on all faces and edges immediately after delivery.
" Never hang a door before applying a protective coating.
" Store doors under cover in a dry ventilated building.
" Doors should be stored flat (never on edge or on end) on a level surface and kept clear of the floor on at least three level bearers. The bearers should be longer than the width of the doors.
" Doors should be protected from dirt and damage but without restricting air circulation,
" Natural finish doors should be stacked so they are not partly exposed to daylight and opaque wrappings must not be torn.
" Exposure to ultra violet light can cause fading or discolouration of timber veneers.
" Whenever possible store doors and door sets in the sequence they will be needed with codes or identifying marks visible to avoid double handling. Avoid dragging them across each other in the stack.
" Doors which have projecting sills or have the hardware fitted must have spacers between them in the stack to avoid damage.
" Protect doors during site operations.
" Ensure that the moisture content of the wood is kept close to the level at which it was when the door was manufactured.
" Internal doors must be conditioned to the service conditions before fixing. Protect from abnormal heat, extreme dryness, humid conditions or sudden changes of temperature or humidity.
" Doors should not be stored or fitted in the building until the wet trades are finished and dried out .
" Treat doors like pieces of furniture.
" Factory finished door frames or linings should ideally be fitted into performed openings and not built into masonry walls.
" Prefinished doors should retain their protective packaging until the latest possible time, ideally until after internal decorations have been completed.
" If it is necessary to separate the doors from door sets, each door and frame should be given an identification mark so that the correct door is returned to the frame.

INSTALLATION

Three hinges should be fitted to all external doors, or doors weighing more than 20 kgs and internal doors where large differences in temperature or humidity on opposing faces can be expected (e.g. bathrooms and airing cupboards ) Mortices for locks must not be cut through joints in the door framing as this will impair performance of the rail joint. If any part of an external door or door frame is cut or drilled, swab the newly exposed timber with suitable preservative material and recoat with primer or stain.

FINISHING

External doors and frames with factory applied primer or base coat stain should have at least one of the finishing coats applied as soon as possible after delivery or installation. The back of external frames should be coated before installation. Use good glazing practice. Glazing rebates and backs of beads should be sealed with an appropriate sealant. Finishing of external doors and frames should be carried out in dry weather using good exterior quality materials in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. On external doors, the finish should be exterior quality paint or a 'high build' stain. ( Low build types of stain should not be used on external doors.) It should be noted that the use of dark coloured paint or stain finishes on external doors, particularly if located on the south or south west elevations of buildings, will result in high surface temperatures on the door and can increase the risk of distortion and of resin exudation through the finish. It is also important that doors subject to wetting or take up of moisture it is especially important that the full finishing system is applied to the top and bottom edges of the door leaf.
To get the best possible finish a series of sanding stages is required. Always work with the grain and progressively change to a finer sand paper. Make sure that sharp edges are slightly rounded, especially on doors designed to endure weather conditions.

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND USING VARNISH ON EXTERIOR DOORS.

Recommended number of coats of preservatives: Exterior Hardwood: 2 Interior Hardwood : 1
Recommended number of coats of wood stain : Exterior Hardwood:3 Interior Hardwood : 3

DANISH OIL IS NOT SUITABLE FOR USE ON EXTERNAL DOORS.

PREPARING AND CLEANING

Remove all hinges and door furniture. Remove all dust, dirt and grease, by wiping surfaces with white spirit or cellulose thinner. Use TWO coats of a clear preservative for all exterior woodwork, one coat for interior wood.

IMPORTANT

Do not use an interior wood stain on an external door. Always treat the end grain and ensure a good treatment is applied to all surfaces. Always apply the correct number of coats of wood stain at the right time intervals. Always sand the door lightly between applications and remember to re-clean surfaces.

MAINTAINING THE DOOR

Always follow the inspection regime that has the shortest interval of inspection and at maximum intervals of once a year. Carry out remedial work as required. And always follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
The golden rules in achieving a fine long-lasting surface for your door, are, ensure you have enough time to do the job; consider where you will be working, the weather conditions ( if applicable) and be fully aware of the manufacturers instructions before starting the work.