TL;DR – Wooden Garage Door Maintenance: What You Need to Know
- Wooden garage doors are beautiful but require consistent refinishing and cleaning.
- Moisture can cause rot and add significant weight, stressing springs and openers.
- Annual professional maintenance is essential for safety and longevity.
Wooden garage doors offer a timeless, classic look — but they also require more care than other materials. Wood naturally absorbs moisture and can deteriorate without proper protection. These doors are also heavier than most others, which can add strain to your opener and hardware.
If you’re considering a wooden garage door, understanding the maintenance involved can help you decide if it’s the right fit for your home. Here’s what to expect when caring for a wood door.
Regular Refinishing Can Prolong the Door’s Service Life
Wood deteriorates quickly without a protective finish. A quality finish shields the door from moisture and UV damage, allowing it to last for many years. If the finish wears away and isn’t replaced, cracks, fading, and even rot can develop.
Today’s coatings are easier to maintain than older lacquer finishes. Instead of fully stripping and refinishing the door, many modern products allow you to lightly sand problem areas and recoat only where needed — typically every 2–3 years.
Most homeowners prefer stain to preserve the natural wood grain, but stain does require more frequent upkeep than paint, which offers stronger long-term protection.
Hiring a professional painter is often the best way to ensure a smooth, long-lasting finish. Professionals can remove old coatings and apply new ones properly, giving the door better durability and appearance.
Cleaning Protects the Door
Moisture is one of the biggest threats to wooden garage doors. Dirt on the door or along the threshold can trap moisture against the wood and speed up rot.
Dusting the door monthly with a dry microfiber cloth helps prevent buildup. For deeper cleaning, use a mild detergent and a soft sponge — never a pressure washer, which can damage the finish.
Keep the area beneath the door clean as well. Sweeping away dirt and debris prevents moisture from collecting where the door meets the pavement.
Wooden Garage Doors Need Regular Professional Maintenance
While most garage doors weigh between 155 and 255 pounds, wooden doors can be even heavier — and during humid or rainy weather, they can absorb up to 50 pounds of additional moisture. This added weight increases strain on your opener and, more importantly, on the torsion spring.
The torsion spring counterbalances the door’s weight, making it possible to open by hand if needed. However, constant lifting of a heavy wooden door can cause the spring to wear out faster.
Torsion springs are tightly wound and extremely dangerous to repair without proper training. A sudden break can cause severe injury. For this reason, homeowners should never attempt to adjust or replace torsion springs themselves.
Instead, schedule a yearly tune-up with a garage door professional. They can inspect the spring, make adjustments, and identify issues before they become serious. Preventive care helps ensure both safety and smooth operation.
Ready for a Wooden Garage Door? Contact Shank Door Today
Wooden garage doors do require more upkeep than other materials, but their natural beauty and curb appeal make them worth the effort for many homeowners. If you’re ready to explore your options, choose a contractor who offers high-quality materials and clear guidance on proper care.
At Shank Door, we help homeowners find the perfect wooden garage door for their style and budget. To learn more about pricing, maintenance, and available designs, contact us today.
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