How Do You Prevent Wood Rot on Doors?

Taking care of different parts of your home is all-consuming. At times, there are small things that you don't even think about until there is a real problem. Wood rot on doors is one of them. Even if you have entry doors made from other materials, door jambs (the side-posting or frame that the door sits in) may be wooden and susceptible to wood rot.

Whether you're on the market for a new door or if you're looking for ways to solve this dilemma, this article aims to educate you on how to prevent wood rot on doors or door jambs.

Click the links below to skip ahead:

What Type of Door Do You Have?
Does Your Door Have a Rot Resistant Door Jamb?
How do You Prevent Wood Rot in Doors?
How to Repair Rotted Wood on Door Frame

What Type of Door Do You Have?

There are many types of exterior doors.

You could go for a warm, beautiful wooden door for a classic and timeless home entrance.
Materials like aluminum, vinyl, or fiberglass are durable and energy-efficient, withstanding extreme weather conditions and heavy use.
You could also choose a solid and sturdy steel door with excellent insulating properties.

Each door material has its pros and cons. What's important is that you find a door manufacturer that prioritizes quality.

Does Your Door Have a Rot Resistant Door Jamb?

A rot-resistant door jamb is a door frame that is more durable against damage. Its purpose and value are to enhance the structural integrity of the door jamb so that it avoids warping, rot, or mold.

Composite is often the most appropriate material, with its anti-insect, anti-fungal, and rot-resistant properties. However, choosing a fully aluminum door frame, or one made of steel or vinyl, can solve the problem as these materials are hard against moisture or insect damage.

If you love a wooden door frame but don't want to deal with the damage of rot or insect infestations, then doors with Framesaver is a good choice. Framesaver↗ is made by Endura, a company that makes components for doors. The Framesaver is finger-jointed wood composite product designed to protect the base of the frame from moisture. Our favorite front door vendor, ProVia, manufactures their doors with Framesaver door jambs.

Why are we focusing so much on the door jamb? That's because the bottom of the door jamb is the place where water is most likely to pool and if that begins to rot and goes unaddressed, rot will begin and it will spread causing further damage.

How Do You Prevent Wood Rot in Doors?

If your wooden door components are still in great shape, you want to keep it that way. You can do this in the following ways:

Build a covering over your entry door to minimize the amount of water that is getting in.
Re-paint cracked and peeling wood. You want to eliminate any points where moisture can enter.
Remove any built-up debris or leaves that are wet and possibly bringing water to vulnerable wood.
Seal new wooden door part soon after installation.

Rot is caused by moisture buildup and the introduction of microscopic organisms that thrive in the area. When it comes to your wooden door parts, fungi are often the culprit. Their habitation in wood can threaten the structural integrity, eventually causing it to decompose and collapse. Wood doesn't even have to be very wet for fungi to grow. Dry rot only needs 20% moisture content.

If you notice wood that is wasting away, then you may be dealing with rot. Other identifying features include weak timber, cracks, split, and fungi-like spores.

When it comes to it, the only way to fix the problem is the deal with the moisture source.

How to Repair Rotted Wood on Door Frame

If you've noticed wood rot in the wooden components of your home, you need to deal with it as soon as possible. You have three options:

Replace the entire door unit. Sometimes the issue is past the point of repair, and replacement is your best choice. Replacing allows you to choose a rot-resistant material.
Hire a professional to repair the damaged wood.
Get your tools out and embark on a DIY wood repair effort. Before you do this, check on any warranties for your door parts to avoid nullifying an existing contract.

Steps for Repairing Rotted Wood Door Frames

If rot damage is minor, you can certainly do the repair job yourself. The amount of time and effort you'll spend on the project depends on how far the rot has spread.

First, remove the rot. This may mean scraping or cutting a section of the jamb or door away with a sharp tool.
Select a wood filler of the right color. Make sure you are careful to fill every minor groove and then scrape it smooth.
Allow the filler to dry and then apply another coat, smoothing the dry second coat with sandpaper.
Finish the job by cleaning the surface of any dust and priming the wood door and jamb.
By catching the rot early, the fix-up job can be quick.

Say Goodbye To Entry Door Wood Rot

Sometimes rot damage is beyond repair. In that case, choosing a rot-resistant door and door jamb may be worth the investment. Other door materials can still look just as warm and timeless as wood but without the vulnerability of rot damage.