If you have a home in the Dallas area, population 6.5 million, you likely want to maintain your curb appeal. The best way to do that is by caring for your front door through regular cleaning, maintenance, and decoration. Many things can detract from the function and beauty of your front door, from sun damage to regular use.

In this guide, we’ll discuss front wood door care tips and how to rejuvenate your front door this summer.

Front Door Care: How to Protect it From Sun Damage

Your front door is like the icing on the cake of your house. It creates a cohesive look that brings all elements together and forms the foundation of your home’s style. It makes sense, then, to take good care of it through all seasons. That’s because your front door takes the brunt of all the weather, in most cases facing the sun for a good portion of the day.

Causes of Fading

The fancy term for color fading as a result of the sun is photodegradation. Light-absorbing color bodies referred to as chromophores that are present in dyes are susceptible to break-down by ultraviolet rays, resulting in a bleaching effect. Some objects can’t resist fading as well as others, like dyed textiles and water colors. Other objects reflect the light better so they don’t fade as fast.

We have some tips for you to protect your wood door from the harmful UV rays of the sun.

Sanding

If the finish on your existing door is cracking and fading, you can sand the exterior portion of the wood to remove the finish that was there previously. Add an exterior varnish, polyurethane or clear finish containing UV protection for reinforcement. Avoid interior-grade finishes which can fade quickly when exposed to UV rays.

For even more protection, go beyond a clear finish and choose a high-quality exterior paint. Pigments present in paint keep sunlight from penetrating through to the wood.

Even the best doors can get weathered over time. If you’re not ready to purchase a whole new door, there are other options. Dallas Door Designs offers offer on-site and off-site wood door refinishing through the use of superior stains and varnishes. Whether your door needs to be stripped-down and refinished or just resealed, we have the skill and training to deliver.

Landscaping

Another option is to plant trees to block the direct rays of the sun. By adding natural shade, you can stop the direct path of the sun from hitting your front door, at least at prime times of the day. Evergreens are best so you get protection in the winter too. At the very least, look for a variety that’s hearty and fast-growing.

Awning or Canopy

You can also add man-made protection in the form of an awning or canopy. This way, you can customize the amount of coverage you get from the sun, keeping your door safe from UV rays in any season. Use this same awning or an additional awning to shade any exterior patio furniture you may have that is also susceptible to fading. Bonus: this solution can also cut down on your energy usage and costs, plus your home can become more comfortable. This is critical in a hot climate like Dallas.

New Door

If your door is getting on in years, it may just be time for a new front door. With today’s technologies, advancements and materials, you can choose a beautiful yet durable wood exterior door that can be stained and painted to resist UV ray damage. Dallas Door Designs offers a variety of solid wood doors that can be customized, assembled, and hand stained to meet strict quality standards.

This Summer: Rejuvenate Your Home With a New Front Door

As we head into summer, it’s time to take a look at your home’s exterior and see where you can improve your curb appeal. You may likely focus on your front door. If it’s old, outdated, broken in any way, or just plain ugly, now is the perfect time to replace it.

Here are some ways you can breathe new life into your home this summer with a new entry door.

Settle on a Material

The first thing to think about is which material you want to go with when replacing your front door. When it comes to composition, you have several choices at your disposal. For instance, you may want to go with solid wood or solid engineered wood core if you are seeking a natural, classic look. With these choices, you’ll get exceptional durability and insulation, while at the same time slashing the outside noise that enters your home.

Next up: what type of wood should you choose? Each type will lend its own unique look to your property. Let’s take bamboo; the sleek and modern appearance of bamboo comes with another bonus, as it’s extremely sustainable and eco-friendly. Contrast that with oak. Which brings a headier, more robust, more traditional look. Then, when you consider cedar and knotty pine, this is where a rustic look comes into play.

When security and strength is your # priority, you really can’t go wrong with iron. You may think iron is ornate and perhaps a little too much for your front door, but iron has come a long way and can be very versatile and understated.

Despite the material you choose, your door can be customized to the entryway of your home for a seamless fit.

Consider Various Styles

The style you choose is a very personal decision, and will usually be impacted by the style of your home and property, as well as your budget. If you have a modern home, a glass front entry door is a wise choice, especially if you decided to augment it with a sandblast-etched glass design for lots of natural light yet privacy at the same time.

Another modern accent that places a high priority on natural light is one with a grid of glass panes that resembles a bank vault for increased durability.

If security and a stately presence is what you’re going for, try a double-black door with bars, perhaps some black stripes enhanced by long regal bar pulls. This choice is great for larger homes.

There are many ways you can spruce up the look and feel of your home as we move through summer, whether you live in Preston Hollow or University Park.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

To get started on your summer front door replacement or to learn more care tips, contact us for a free estimate in Dallas today.