Repairing Antique Warped Doors

Antique doors may look beautiful but warp over time. The principal reason for this phenomenon is because the antique wood was never sealed, and moisture has steadily caused the wood to expand when wet and contract once dry. This eventually results in a noticeable warping. The conundrum is that once wood is warped, there are few remedies that will predictably straighten it. Even straightening an antique door under weights will typically only produce a temporary fix. However, you can prevent further warping.

Wood shims
Chisel
Hammer
Pliers
Polyurethane
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Open the antique door to a 90-degree angle. Fit wood shims under the door to prop up the end.
- 2
  Tap the pins in the hinges up and out with a chisel and hammer. If the pins will not easily come out, pull them out of the hinges with pliers.
- 3
  Pull the door off the hinges once the pins have been removed and lay it flat on a workbench or table. Do not place the antique door on sawhorses, as this may worsen the warping problem.
- 4
  Apply a coat of polyurethane to the bottom, side and top edges of the antique door with a paintbrush. Let the polyurethane dry between 12 and 24 hours, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- 5
  Rehang the antique door, resting it on the shims and tapping the pins back into the hinges with a hammer. Remove the shims from under the door.
- 6
  Close the antique door and leave it locked for five to seven days. As the wood dries out, it should return partially or fully to its original straight position.

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