Your front entry door can impress upon visitors even before they come inside. The front door gets more undivided attention than anywhere else in the house. It is the place where people wait to be allowed in. Staring at your door until someone answers a knock or a doorbell is a well known pastime. There is no other door in or around your home that gets such a thorough inspection by visitors.
It is important to keep your main entry door clean and inviting. We as homeowners often enter the house from other doors. Garage door or maybe back door. It’s easy to forget your front door while you clean the rest of the house. But regular cleaning and periodic maintenance can extend the life of your front door. Keep your front door as inviting as you would like to feel when you visit friends.
Entry doors come in different sizes, styles and material. Some are wood, glass, aluminum and even fiberglass. They can be wonderfully energy-efficient, durable, and resist extreme weather conditions. Glass and Aluminium don’t rot, warp, or twist like solid wood doors. In fact they don’t chip or rust like steel doors. They can be much easier to maintain than wood or steel. That said, all doors deserve some TLC to keep them looking good and functioning properly.
Wash the Door Surface With Soap and Water
Your entry door is protecting your home from wind, rain, snow, humidity, and intruders. It can get a very dirty surface after a short while. Even doors on covered porches acquire dirt, pollen, and spider webs. Give it a regular cleaning with mild dish soap and water. This simple step is often neglected but makes a big difference. When wind and rain are ongoing wait till the sun comes out before negotiating a wash down.
You can use soap and water on wood, aluminum, glass and fiberglass doors. Use a clean soft cloth for the process. Do not use any type of scourer for fear of scratching the surface.
Everything Swings on Hinges
Take a moment to examine those door hinges. They may need tightening to prevent or correct misalignment. If you notice a squeaking, sticking, or a less than easy swing, oil them or apply a quick spray of WD-40®. If you see any damage or wear to a hinge, it is advisable to replace the hinges. Always replace the screws if you by chance damage the heads whilst removing them.
Keep Your Door Window Sparkling
If your door has glass inserts make them sparkle! A mixture of one cup white vinegar and one cup water in a spray bottle. You could buy a window cleaner if you have no white vinegar. Spray and clean using a lint-free cloth. Remember to clean both sides of the window. You will be surprised at how clear it is and how much dirt accumulates inside.
Protect Your Door from the Elements
Your door is always exposed to the elements, including everyday sunshine. Protect it with a new coat of paint or stain. If you’re in the mood for a new look, this can be the perfect excuse to change the color. Rub the door with an 80 grit to remove old pain and rough surfaces. A new door color is an easy update but will make a big impression. If you decide to change from a painted surface to a stain, you should strip the paint before applying any stain.
Mask the frame and hinges if you are leaving the door in situ. Place a plastic sheet on the ground to protect the floor from paint splash. A paint brush will give you a striped surface. A roller will give you an orange peal surface texture. A spray-can can give you a gloss shiny surface but will require additional preparation. The spray can finish will require a rub down with a fine (1200) sandpaper.
Inspect Your Lock and Deadbolt
Make sure your lock-set and deadbolt are functioning smoothly. It can be very frustrating to find a stuck lock when you insert the key. This is another case where WD-40® can come to the rescue with its Smart Straw applicator.
Use the straw to spray into the key insertion on both sides of the key cylinder. Spray the latch and bolts on your lock. Operate the lock with the door open after spray so that it will lube most parts.
You might want to consider changing out your key lock for a key-less entry system. The key-less entry system is now more popular and with key-fob, key-pad and phone-app-technology life is simpler.
Maintain or Replace Door Seals
If you have bottom of the door seals and threshold or weather stripping around the door it needs to be examined closely. Run your hand around the perimeter of the door when closed to feel for drafts or look for signs of sunlight. If the stripping is in good condition, clean it thoroughly. Apply a light coat of furniture wax for extra protection.
Conclusion
While we bother with cleaning our homes, lets not forget the front entry door. It protects us from many things. A clean occasionally is a good starting point. Regular cleaning is something that will help prolong the life of our front door.
Cleaning can be simple and effective. Soapy water and a clean cloth will wipe down a door quickly removing dirt build up. A clean door is an invitation to a clean house.
If there are door hardware items that need replacing on or around your door, we like to think it is something we can help with. We cover most door hardware requirements. You are invited to visit our showroom at Architectural Design Hardware. We like to provide guidance and if your door is having troubles we can help.