Maintenance Tips for Wood Garage Doors

The natural beauty of a wood garage door can significantly enhance your home’s exterior. Wood also offers practical advantages, like thermal insulation and sturdy yet lightweight construction. 

However, unlike some alternatives, wood requires regular maintenance to combat the effects of weather and time. To help you keep your wood garage door in top condition, this post breaks down the elements that can shorten its lifespan, provides essential maintenance tips and explains when it’s best to seek professional help.

What Deteriorates a Wood Garage Door?

Western Washington has a moderate climate. Even so, wood garage doors require protection from the elements to ensure longevity. Cedar garage door maintenance calls for extra proactiveness because the material is especially vulnerable to mildew.

Wood is susceptible to microorganisms and weathering. The combination of UV rays, heat and moisture can lead to degradation. Regular maintenance, including cleaning and sealing, is essential to create a barrier against these threats.

How to Maintain a Wood Garage Door

These five maintenance tips for a wood garage door can be easy if you make a routine out of them. You can perform some tasks, like cleaning, on your own — but the more complicated ones, such as repair, are better left to experts.

1. Clean Your Garage Door Regularly

Regularly cleaning your garage door frees it from dust and dirt. It also helps avoid erosion, especially on the lowest part and exterior of your door, which are more susceptible to environmental elements. Power washing can easily damage soft woods like pine and cedar, so it’s best to use a cloth with hot water and detergent. Sponges work, too. Whatever you use, move from top to bottom to avoid having to wipe areas more than once. 

Clean your garage door at least once a year to keep it in its optimum state. If you plan to repaint, restrain or reseal your overhead door, you must also clean it beforehand.

2. Look out for Rot and Mold

Wood is susceptible to rot and mold, which affect its integrity. Both issues stem from moisture and prolonged exposure to external elements. For instance, consistent rain and snow can increase their likelihood. Inspecting your wood garage door after the rainy and winter seasons can be a smart move.

As you look for mold and rot, check for soft spots and discolorations. Corners and joints can be more susceptible. If you find some when the affected area is still small, you can remove it, then fill the holes it leaves using wood filler. Sand the surface after, then restain or refinish based on the original look of your door.

If there’s too much rot, replacing the entire garage door is better to ensure safety and security. A replacement garage door can be a better investment than fixing an already damaged one. Additionally, the International Residential Code has structural requirements for garage doors. A replacement can be better suited for the best performance. 

3. Repaint, Restain or Reseal as Needed

Depending on the finish of your wood garage door, you may need to repaint, restain or reseal it occasionally. You’ll need to clean your garage door before you perform any of the three. Whenever you plan to start, make sure the weather is clear and allow two to three days to finish the process. 

Here’s the difference between these processes:

• Repainting: Painting wood enables you to choose from various colors, which can complement new tastes or improve the appearance of your home. It hides the flaws in wood surfaces, but can also trap moisture — so it’s best to paint when the door is completely dry.
• Restaining: Like painting, staining involves enhancing the color of your wood garage door. Stains can be opaque, transparent or semitransparent. They penetrate deeper into the wood than paint and can enhance the appearance of the wood grain. Staining wood does not block out water, so your door will still be susceptible to moisture.
• Resealing: You can seal your wood before painting it or as a stand-alone job. Sealing can lengthen the life of your wood garage door by adding a protective layer against moisture. It also prevents discoloration and staining.

Repainting, restaining and resealing can all add to the appeal of your door. These steps can also refresh the look of your door when you select a new color. But more than that, they protect the door from external elements. 

For instance, finishes prevent the wood from drying too quickly and reduce the stress experienced by the exterior. Oils and stains can also improve a garage door’s durability and make it less susceptible to cracks. Consider the environment you live in and the type of door you have when determining which process you need to do.

4. Schedule Regular Maintenance

Certain aspects of wood garage door maintenance require expertise. You can regularly check for some that are easier to spot. For example, pay attention to how the door usually sounds during operation. If you hear a screeching noise from the door or motor or anything else unusual, it’s a good idea to call a professional. 

You can also do some visual checks, like seeing whether the door gets stuck or whether there are loose cables from the ceiling. However, it’s best to schedule regular maintenance with an expert to ensure all parts are working well. Professional tuneups every one to two years can go a long way.

5. Repair Broken Parts Right Away

Broken garage door parts can be dangerous. The UL 325 standard, put together by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), contains requirements for garage door safety. For example, the door should have two entrapment protection systems that sense obstructions when the door is opening and reverse it to avoid collisions. If any part of the system is broken, you need to repair your wood garage door right away to maintain safety. 

Typical garage door problems include:

• Broken cables or tension springs
• Out-of-alignment photo-eye sensors
• Transmitter issues
• Misaligned tracks
• Rusted springs
• Door obstructions

When you need repairs, it’s essential to hire an expert who will know what to look for and how to fix the problems.

Kitsap Garage Door Can Do the Work for You

Kitsap Garage Door is a leader in the garage door service and repair business. Since 1975, we’ve been servicing homeowners and businesses throughout Kitsap County, including Bremerton, Shelton and Gig Harbor. We can help with the regular maintenance and repair of your wood garage door to lengthen its lifespan and prevent future accidents. We can also install a brand-new garage door when it’s time for replacement. Give us a call at 360-692-0849 to learn more! You can also contact us online to request an estimate.