If you have a rotting wood front door, you have two choices: repair it if the rot is limited to a small area, or replace the door if the damage is widespread. A front door protects your household from intruders, keeps out summer heat and winter cold, and shapes how your home looks from the street. A door with rot cannot do any of those jobs as well as it should, so it is worth dealing with soon.
Check How Far the Rot Has Spread
Before you decide how to proceed, inspect the door closely. Rot usually starts near the bottom edge and in the lower corners, where water sits. Press on the wood with a screwdriver. Sound wood is firm, while rotted wood is soft and crumbles.
Look at the frame, threshold and jambs as well as the door itself. If the rot is confined to one section, a repair may be realistic. If it shows up in several places or has reached the frame, replacement is usually the better answer.
How to Repair a Rotting Wood Front Door
For wood that has only started to rot in one area, you may be able to use an epoxy consolidator and patch material. The consolidator hardens the affected wood, and the filler rebuilds the surface so it can be sanded and painted. Done properly, this helps protect the door from further rot.
Another option is to cut out the damaged section and replace it with fresh wood. This means using a saw to remove the rotten piece and gluing a new piece of wood in its place.
You may have to take the door off its hinges to make either repair. That gives you access to the sides and edges you could not otherwise reach.
If you are going to do the repair yourself, make sure you have the right tools and know how to use them correctly. Follow the instructions on the products you buy and wear protective clothing and equipment.
Keep Water Away From the Door
Rot is caused by moisture, so a repair will last longer if the door stays drier. Keep the paint or finish in good condition, especially on the bottom edge. A door awning over the entrance shields the door from rain and snow, and Aladdin installs door canopies for this purpose. A storm door adds another barrier between the wood and the weather.
When to Replace the Door Instead
Sometimes an entry door is too damaged to fix. If the rot is extensive, the door is warped, or it no longer closes and locks securely, patching it only delays the inevitable. At that point you can replace it with a new front door and stop worrying about break-ins, drafts and an unsightly entryway.
Aladdin installs entry doors made with wood, fiberglass and steel, in a range of styles to suit different homes. If you love the look of wood but not the upkeep, fiberglass and steel are worth a look because they do not rot. A new, well-fitted door also makes the house more secure and more energy efficient, which helps with heating and cooling bills. Our post on selecting the perfect exterior door compares the options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a rotting wood front door be repaired?
Often, yes, if the rot is limited to a small section. Epoxy consolidator and filler, or a new piece of wood spliced in, can restore the damaged area. Widespread rot usually calls for replacement.
What causes a wood front door to rot?
Moisture. Rain, snow and splashing water soak into wood where the paint or finish has worn away, most often along the bottom of the door and the frame.
Is a rotted door a security risk?
It can be. Rot weakens the wood around locks, hinges and the frame, which makes the door easier to force open.
Replace a Rotted Front Door With Help From Aladdin
Aladdin has been serving Connecticut homeowners since 1949. If your wood front door is past the point of repair, contact us or call (203) 776-9996 to learn about the entry door styles we offer and to get an estimate.