Interior Door Care

Take Care of Your Wooden Interior Door

Before installing an interior door in your house, here are a few guidelines. Read through the following steps to help you properly care for your door. 

Care Tips

Here are a few helpful tips about caring for your new interior door:

• Do not subject doors to extreme heat, dryness or humidity. Wood will warp when exposed to these factors.
• Store wooden doors on a flat, level surface in a dry, well-ventilated building and always keep them covered. Following these instructions will prevent shape and color distortion of your custom millwork.
• Allow doors to reach room temperature and stabilize 24 hours before installing. This allows for the humidity levels within the wood to acclimate with the new surroundings. 
• Remove film from French doors with caution. The tempered glass is sensitive and could scratch by using sharp objects or abrasive cleaners.

Because we use genuine wooden products, the color and wood grain are unique to your interior door. Some of these markings will become more pronounced during the wood finishing process, this is something that is outside our control and something for which we are not responsible. Please direct all questions regarding the proper application of sealers and finishes to your chosen finish supplier.

Painting tips

Work Environment

• Your work area will need to be clean, dust-free.
• Climate controlled
• Well ventilated
• Dry (cannot be around high moisture areas)
• Out of direct sunlight

Storage and Handling

• Have product delivered after drywalling is completed
• Store out of direct sunlight
• Store product in dry location with minimal variations of heat or humidity
• Keep product away from direct heat source
• Allow product to acclimate to work environment 48 hrs before finishing
• Store flat on level surface (Do not lean doors for extended period of time, especially on top of each other)

Preparation

• Inspect product prior to finishing for any blemishes
• Thoroughly sand all surfaces with 220 grit paper

*Prep sanding is essential for finishing a door, whether its stain or paint. By sanding the door prior to finishing, you are removing excess primer, and opening up the fibers to accept the stain or paint. Proper sanding allows the paint to lay down suitably. After sanding, vacuum off all excess material from the door and wipe the door down with a slightly damp rag*

Painting Notes

Well executed prep-sanding is vital to the overall performance of the finish, and cannot be rushed. Ensuring a thorough prep-sanding can help regulate the desired outcome.

Some paints require specific primer (i.e. most UV products) Although our primer is very versatile, verify requirements from paint manufacturer to guarantee proper adhesion.

Finishing Tips

There is a step-by-step process to prepare your interior door before installing it: sand, stain and finish.

Step 1 – Sand

Sand lightly with fine-grit sandpaper (180 or finer). 

• Sand “with the grain” to avoid scratches.
• Pay special attention to handling marks, raised grain and other blemishes. 
• Sand slightly more for dark stains, high gloss paints and spray finishes. 

After sanding, clean the door with a soft cotton or fiber cloth to remove any debris.

Step 2 – Stain

When staining your interior door, you’ll need sanding sealer (also called pre-stain) and a stain (also called a finish). For best results, choose the same manufacturer for both.

Apply a thin coat of sanding sealer (or pre-stain) for a uniform appearance.

• Test for stain compatibility in a discreet area as some wood types do not react well to particular finishes.
• Notify the finish supplier if you detect an undesirable appearance and discontinue the finishing process until a solution is found. 

Apply the finishing products by following the instructions.

• Choose a clear finish for lighter wood types like maple and birch. The natural characteristics of these wood types may make dark finishes appear uneven.
• Allow for adequate drying time after each coat is applied to confirm smoothness and color are correct.

Step 3 – Seal and Paint

Locate the correct product with the help of your finish supplier. 

Seal all exposed wood surfaces with every coat, including the top and bottom rails.

When staining the door, oil-based sealers work best for finishing. If painting the door, be sure to use a primer first. Water-based coats on unfinished wood may highlight joints and raise wood grain.