I have a wooden front door without any overhang or gutter. I've replaced the door twice as it rots and splits.

Question

Would coating the newly painted door with some kind of special finish help? 
Any suggestions welcome.

3po3 · Answer

You might have better luck with a fiberglass door than with wood, no matter how it is finished. Also, maybe you could post a photo of your home and get some suggestions for what else to do. Without knowing any more about your place, it seems like it might help make your home more inviting, and even help resale value if you add some kind of simple overhang or entryway.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

If you stick to a wooden door, I would suggest a nice quality storm door to protect it. If you go to a fiberglass door however as Steve suggests which is also a good idea, you need to be careful if you want a storm door installed as well. Many of the fiberglass door and some metal foam filled door companies will not warrant their door if a storm is installed along with their product. So be careful and do your homework when deciding what type of door it is that you want.

There are several high quality doors that will last much longer due to wood used to construct them. A good quality sealer or paint on the door should be all that is necessary to prevent this decay.  Proper installation also goes a long way in preventing door decay particularly around the frame area.

Dan's of Central Florida, Inc. · Answer

I agree with the other above about types of doors, but have you considered installing a gutter in the area as well? Not only can it help protect you door, but save you from a shower when you go outside.

Nichter's Home Services Corp · Answer

the best finish to treat an exposed wood door with is a storm door

Barbara C · Answer

Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas. I don't think that I've seen a storm door on a home since I moved to New Orleans. 
Gutters seem like a good idea. Does anyone have a paint finish that they would recommend?

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Barbara, remember many people do not like the look of a storm door. But there are several that are complete glass units. Oftentimes used on those really fancy detailed doors so you can still see them from the street.  So do not rule that out entirely.

As far as a paint finish. Lots do choose from. It depends upon what your looking to achieve with this.  Do you want a stained wood look? or simply a plan white door?  Both use entirely different methods of materials and applications.

Danielle V · Answer

we have a painted steel door...never had any problems and it looks great....just a thought...

Anna B · Answer

We had a similar door with similar problems. We finally got a steel door with a lovely window and have painted it twice. It takes paint wonderfully. The first time we painted it a cherry red and a couple of weeks ago, we repainted it a lovely creamy medium gray. My husband just gave it a quick light sand before we painted it the gray color. We used a Valspar exterior paint and used no coating, the previous red color had no coating either. We have had ZERO problems.

Barbara C · Answer

We went with a steel door also as the door and the frame were rotting. I have purchased a wreath hanger to slide over the top of the door as I wanted to continue displaying wreaths.

I have a wooden front door without any overhang or gutter. I've replaced the door twice as it rots and splits.

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I have a wooden front door without any overhang or gutter. I've replaced the door twice as it rots and splits.

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