Door Renew offers comprehensive door restoration and front door refinishing services, with a special focus on repairing cracked wood door panels. Wood doors with panels are prone to crack, particularly as a result of the natural expansion and contraction of the wood caused by changes in humidity and temperature. The crack may go all the way through the panel in the case of one-piece panels, or it may only affect the exterior panel in the case of two-piece panels. Over time, the crack may reappear due to continued pressure from the expanding and contracting of the door, but Door Renew is equipped to handle this issue.
Why Wood Doors Expand & Contract
Wood entry doors are subject to natural expansion and contraction due to changes in humidity and temperature. As humidity levels rise, the door absorbs moisture, causing it to swell and expand. Conversely, during drier months, the moisture evaporates, causing the door to contract. This cyclical movement can lead to cracks in the door panels over time, but our team is well-versed in dealing with this issue and offers comprehensive door restoration and refinishing services to repair these cracks and ensure your door is functioning properly.
Why Wood Door Panels Crack
Wood panels play a crucial role in allowing for the expansion and contraction of the door, which is caused by fluctuations in humidity and temperature. However, when panels become affixed due to multiple coats of paint, beads of adhesive caulk, or inserted finish nails, they are unable to move as intended, leading to cracks. Our team has extensive experience in identifying these issues and providing comprehensive solutions, including repairing cracked panels and ensuring they are free-floating to prevent future cracks. With Door Renew, you can rest assured that your door will be functional and visually appealing for years to come.
Our Repair Process
Step 1
Mask the areas on either side of the crack: Apply masking tape on either side of the crack to protect the areas not being refinished.
Step 2
Clean the area: Vacuum the crack to remove dirt and dust, and clean the crack further with sandpaper or a utility knife. Wipe down the crack with denatured alcohol to remove any residual debris.
Step 3
Apply the caulk: Use Life Calk from BoatLife, which is designed to remain flexible, and apply a bead of caulk on the crack. Work the caulk into the crack with your finger, leaving it slightly proud. Let it dry and shave it level with the surrounding wood using a razor blade.
Step 4
Remove the masking tape: After the caulk has dried, remove the masking tape to reveal a clean, repaired crack.
Door Renewal Experts
Our team of experts has extensive experience in repairing cracks in wood door panels, and we use only the highest quality materials and techniques to ensure a long-lasting repair. We start by masking the areas on either side of the crack to protect the surrounding wood and then clean the crack to remove any dirt, dust, or debris. We then wipe the crack with denatured alcohol to remove any grease or oil and prepare the surface for repair.
Filling Cracked Doors
Next, we use Life Calk, a flexible caulk designed specifically for use on wood doors, to fill the crack. This caulk can withstand the expansion and contraction of the wood, unlike wood-fill products or wood Bondo, which can become brittle and crumble over time. We apply a bead of Life Calk along the crack and work it in with our fingers, leaving it slightly higher than the level of the surrounding wood to allow for easy removal once it has dried. After the caulk has dried, we shave it down to be level with the rest of the panel and remove the masking tape.
Trust Professionals
While some homeowners may choose to repair the crack using two-part epoxy adhesives to glue the panel back together, this is a more involved process that requires specialized knowledge and experience. For this reason, we recommend leaving it to the professionals at Door Renew to ensure a long-lasting and seamless repair.
Contact Your Door Renew Location
In addition to our expertise in repairing cracked wood door panels, Door Renew also offers a full range of front door refinishing services, including sanding, staining, and painting, to give your front door a refreshed and rejuvenated look. Whether you're looking to fix a single crack or completely refurbish your front door, we're here to help. Contact your local Door Renew franchise today to learn more about our services and to schedule your appointment.