Maintenance of doorframes – how to protect the doorframe so that it lasts for many years?

Maintenance of doorframes – how to protect the doorframe so that it lasts for many years?

Solid materials and careful, correct installation of the frame together with the door allow you to enjoy their proper functioning for many years. However, it should not be forgotten that, like any other thing, they require maintenance and attention to good condition. Whether it is an exterior door or an interior door, all of them are useful for periodic cleaning, adjustment and, in particular, protection from moisture. What is the maintenance of door frames, and what should a proper repair of a damaged door frame look like?

Why is regular maintenance of doorframes important?

Adjusted and well-maintained doors move lightly, noiselessly and without creaking. No force is needed when opening and closing, and the leaf should not move spontaneously, i.e. “fly” towards the wall or frame. So much theory, but what does it look like in practice? Intensively used door leaves, even if they have been set together with the frame completely in accordance with the art, will require slightly more frequent inspections, related, for example, to the condition of the hinges or adjustment of the suspension height. If closing becomes difficult, the edge rubs against the door frame or literally scrapes on the floor, then corrections are necessary to avoid irreparable damage. If the door leaf does not adhere exactly to the door frame, a few simple steps are enough to get the correct alignment. How to take care of door frames and what to clean them with, and how to protect door frames from moisture? Everything, of course, depends on the material from which they are made, with steel ones requiring the least maintenance.

What materials are used for door frames and how do they affect their durability?

The characteristics of the door and its purpose have a major impact on what kind of frame is chosen – others are used for interior and exterior doors. In terms of division according to the material used in production, door frames can be steel, aluminum, wood, MDF, as well as PVC. Structural issues introduce an additional division into fixed and adjustable doorframes, in the latter category there are still models of special use, the so-called renovation doorframes. Taking into account all these features and parameters of each of them, you can make the right choice if you want to be guaranteed good sealing of the door and keeping it in the right position. Although aesthetic qualities or the decorative function to be performed by the doorframe are also important factors, they cannot be the decisive ones. Steel or aluminum variants are most appropriate for exterior doors, while the natural choice for room or bathroom doors is wood or MDF. Wooden frame is characterized by lower weather resistance, is susceptible to moisture and sunlight, so you need to reckon that you will need to renovate the wooden frames of the entrance door. Natural wood is also at risk of woodworm activity or the appearance of mold, making proper impregnation of the material of great importance. Frames made of metal are the least problematic, the easiest to clean, resistant to mechanical damage and variable weather conditions and moisture, hence they are a great choice for use with exterior, bathroom and kitchen doors. Aluminum is also a great option, as it does not corrode, does not lose its color and is resistant to harmful outdoor conditions.

Basic steps in frame maintenance

In the case of moisture-sensitive wooden doorframes, regular maintenance with dedicated wax- or oil-based protectants slowly avoids the hassle of swelling and degradation. How to renew doorframes made of wood? The use of water-repellent impregnants, which will further strengthen the structure of the wood noticeably increases resistance to water and its destructive effects. Choosing an aluminum door frame for the front door, you need to reckon with the fact that it can freeze in winter in our climatic conditions, as a result of which ice will appear on the profiles, which in contact with higher temperatures in the hallway will melt and flood the floor with water. So it is very important to choose door frames filled with thermal insulation material, such as polyurethane foam. On the other hand, when it comes to the subsequent maintenance of a steel or aluminum door frame, it does not present major difficulties – it is enough to remove dirt with a soft, damp cloth on an ongoing basis, without using strong detergents or preparations with acetone or ammonia. It is worth reading the manufacturer’s recommendations to avoid the problems that can arise with poor care.

How to protect doorframes from moisture?

Proper protection of the door frame against moisture is not difficult, so it is worth doing it systematically and combining it with proper care for the condition of the door leaf. This will avoid considerable expenses associated with repairing or even replacing door frames damaged by negligence. Also do not forget about the hinges and regularly lubricate them with grease, silicone oil or technical petroleum jelly. In principle, the simplest, yet effective technique that significantly increases resistance to moisture, is to protect with silicone the door frame at the junction with the floor, which protects against the negative effects of condensed water vapor. The formation of unsightly mold in the area of the entrance to the house is a common consequence of excessive humidity and can pose a direct threat to the health of householders. It is extremely important to skillfully apply silicone in a uniform motion to cover the entire target contact area.

How to repair minor damage to door frames?

Renovation of metal doorframes is rarely required, as they are manufactured from steel sheets of sufficient thickness, which translates into high durability and strength. It can be more difficult in the case of wooden doorframes, which are prone to deformation, sagging or swelling. The porous structure of wood absorbs moisture from the environment, and then the wood fibers expand, eventually leading to swelling and deformation of the door and frame. Small cracks and chips may also appear, which will require artful carpentry repair. Repairing the door frame is something that can be avoided. Any defects that are noticed need to be secured regardless of what material it is made of – a timely enough response will allow you to make a minor repair instead of expensive replacement of an irreparably damaged doorframe.