Installing a quality entry door in your home helps enhance your security and exterior curb appeal. However, it’s important to take good care of your door to keep it looking and functioning at its best for as long as possible. The best way to achieve this purpose is through maintenance.
Unfortunately, front door maintenance is one of the last things most people think about when planning their exterior home maintenance. Maintaining your entry door is vital to extend its lifespan, keep up with your exterior curb appeal, and preserve energy efficiency. Below are five helpful tips for long-lasting entry.
- Inspect Your Door from Inside Your Home and Outside Yearly
Your entry door is in constant use, and it’s only natural that it might need some repairs down the line. It helps to inspect your door from all angles yearly to stay afloat for minor repairs. Examine the door frame and slab to ensure they are intact and in good shape.
Pay great attention to stiles and rails and look for dents in metal surfaces, cracking, excessive warping, or splitting in wood or glass. You may also want to inspect the weatherstrip and sweep to help avoid expensive structural damage due to water leakage.
- Replace Damaged Weatherstripping
While quality exterior doors from Trimlite are highly durable and can last for years, weatherstrip lasts only a few years. The weatherstrip plays a significant role in keeping water out of your home.
But when it is damaged, torn, discolored, or ripped, it can become unattractive and make your door drafty. It makes sense to replace the worn-out weatherstrip with a weatherstripping material that is compatible with your door design.
- Change Damaged Door Sweeps
Subsequently, if you discover that your sweep has gaps or is damaged, it should be repaired to prevent water from seeping into your home. If the sweep is secured into either side of the door, the repairs can be done without necessarily taking the door off. For door sweeps screwed to the base of the door, you may need to remove the door from the hinges in order to reach the fasteners connected under the door.
- Make Sure the Finish is in Good Shape
The finish on your entry door provides a certain degree of protection from elements and helps it look and function at its best. While how frequent you’ll need to refinish your door depends on the weather conditions in your area, it’s recommended to do so every few years to help extend your door’s lifetime.
- Keep Your Entry Way Clean
Excess dirt and debris can negatively impact your door’s service life and create an unappealing first impression. Hence, keeping your entry door clean can help keep your outdoor space neat, tidy, and welcoming. You should clean your door if you start seeing signs of water stains, debris, spider webs, and dirt.
Browse Trimlite Exterior Doors
Practicing all these five tips can help prolong the lifespan of your entry door. However, if your door has served you long enough and needs replacement, Trimlite offers the best exterior door options for you to choose from. Browse our exterior doors today and purchase the one that suits your style.
