When to Seal an Interior Pine Door

Before Installation

• The easiest time to seal an interior pine door is prior to installation. If you know you want a sealed door in a particular location, ask the builder or contractor to purchase a pre-sealed pine door, which may be rated as an exterior door, during construction or remodeling. Likewise, if you replace a door with a pine one, consider painting or staining and sealing it before you install it to save on the effort of removing the door and its hardware and reinstalling it again after sealing.

Based on Placement

• When you place a pine door in a heavily trafficked area, or near a source of moisture, you will benefit more from sealing it. Doors that open into kitchens and bathrooms are more likely to experience the heat and moisture that comes from cooking and bathing. Sealing a pine door in any of these areas will minimize its swelling and make it easier to wipe down if it needs cleaning from a spill or splatter.

Before Painting

• Seal an untreated pine interior door prior to any form of painting. Most sealants will only partially penetrate the wood, allowing paint to form a smooth, consistent finish. Sealing the door prior to painting will prevent too much pigment from seeping into the door leaving the finish dull. Sealing pine doors also prevents knots and dents from showing up in the finished top coat.

After Painting or Staining

• In some cases you should also seal an interior pine door after you refinish it. A top coat of sealant will protect the paint or stain below and smooth out any remaining imperfections in the wood. It will also reduce the risk of cracking paint is the soft wood of the door develops new indentations from normal use. Wait until the paint or stain is completely dry before applying a top coat of sealant to avoid discoloration or scuff marks from the application process.