This Post will cover the topic of clear finish on exterior wood, with an emphasis on wooden doors.
Exterior wood with a clear finish is a beautiful statement and really shows off the thing that we all love about wood, the grain. This beauty doesn’t come without its share of problems unfortunately. In our climate here along the Great Lakes the finish is attacked by Sun-UV, Moisture, Wind, Windblown sand, Snow, Heat/Cold extremes and the list goes on. By far the biggest cause of failure in clear finishes though, is neglect.
Clear finishes just don’t last as long as some other finishes on wood. Where you might get 5 years of good life out of a properly painted wooden door, you might only get 2 years out of a clear finished door. The reasons for this are fairly complicated and we won’t go into the science of it here. While this may make you think twice about your plans for a clear coated door, the proper maintenance will keep your door looking good for many many years to come. If you are starting fresh with a new door, getting a great job done the first time is key.
Making sure that all 6 sides are sealed and finished with a minimum of three-four coats and that if there is glass that the sealer slightly laps onto the glass will go a long way toward helping your door have a long life. If you have a door that is already showing the effects of weather, don’t despair, just give Ransom Brothers a call! We can take care of most problems with existing clear finishes, but don’t delay! The sooner the door is prepped and refinished the better for the underlying wood and the less chance for a rotting door. Most doors can be refinished onsite with minimal disruption of your daily lives, or we can take it back to the shop and really make it look like new again! If your door is still in good shape we recommend re-sealing it at least every 2 years depending on the amount of sun that the surface gets on a daily basis. This is by far cheaper if done often than dealing with a door that has deteriorating finish. So in conclusion, if you have any exterior wood with a clear finish, it is important to give it a good look and if the wood or finish show any signs of wear or discoloration it is a good idea to get a professional to look at it and evaluate what your options are the sooner the better! Contact us by clicking this link! or by calling (269)637-3748