Advantages and Disadvantages of Real Wood Doors

Other Advantages

• Wood doors are available in many different designs and are made from a wide range of lumbers, such as mahogany, oak and pine. They can be replaced easily or transformed by applying fresh paint or a varnish. These doors are easier to cut and adjust to a particular size than doors made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is a plastic material used in construction. Real wood doors are also a good choice because locks and latches can be easily attached to them.

Disadvantages

• One of the major disadvantages of wood doors is their tendency to react to weather. In hot weather, exterior wood doors can expand. As a result, cracks can form, which causes them to stick when they’re opened or closed. The opposite situation happens in cold weather, because wood doors contract, leaving gaps between the door and the floor and walls. This is especially problematic for a front door, as it lets cold air escape into a house.

Considerations

• The paint, finish or varnish of a real wood door can peel or form bubbles because of moisture absorption, notes the Iver Carlson website. Fading is another problem to consider when deciding on a door. Iver Carlson also points out that real wood doors are more expensive than other types, such as vinyl or steel doors. However, consider that softwood doors are usually not as expensive as hardwood doors. If you properly treat a softwood door, it can be just as appealing as a door made of hardwood.

Warnings

• Because real wood doors can be susceptible to termites, be sure your door comes from good-quality timber that’s been treated with an antitermite solution. Wood thoroughly coated with paint prevents drywood termites from entering wood. Seal all cracks, scars, joints and crevices with wood putty before painting, cautions the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. Besides destroying a wood door, a termite invasion can cause severe dust allergy problems.