How to Keep My Exterior Door From Warping

Wooden doors on the exterior of your home create a welcoming and stylish entryway, but they come with a number of difficulties. One of the most prominent is warping --- as the moisture and temperature change around the door, which they inevitably will, with the door exposed to the outdoors, the wood gains or loses moisture and will gradually shrink, expand, twist or otherwise change to create a warped and unusable appearance. However, certain precautions can prevent this warping from occurring.

Flat support system
Wood sealant
Paintbrush or roller

Instructions

- 1
  Store the door in the installation area for a minimum of 48 hours prior to hanging the door on the hinges. This will allow the wood to expand and contract naturally without being held down by the hinges, settling it in a final moisture content for the area. Changes in the future due to temperature and humidity will be less severe, often as small as ½ inch.
- 2
  Set the door on a flat work space or a flat support system. The door must be completely flat during sealing, or the moisture from the sealant can cause it to warp in the direction it is leaning.
- 3
  Seal all edges of the door with a manufacturer-provided or recommended wood sealer. The sealer, whether colored or clear, will guard the door from absorbing moisture. Make sure you seal all six edges: front, back, top, bottom and both sides. Even if they are not visible, wood surfaces will absorb moisture.
- 4
  Apply two coats of sealant to each of the six surfaces for longer-lasting protection. You can apply the coats with a paintbrushes or roller, as long as you make sure each area of the wood is thoroughly covered. Allow the sealer to dry overnight --- unless otherwise directed by the product instructions --- before installing the door.

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Doors