Care of Timber Doors on Site
Internal and external doors and doorsets may be supplied `in the white’,
with a primer or stain base coat applied or as fully finished components.
Each type needs careful handling and protection although the actual
requirements vary. After delivery it is vital that doors are correctly
treated to ensure that the moisture content is appropriate for the
situation and that they are not physically damaged in unloading, storage
and installation. Good practice avoids damage, maintains quality and saves
money.
Delivery and Storage
Check doors at
the time of delivery. All components should be checked at the time of
delivery to ensure that they are in accordance with the order schedule,
the delivery is complete and that the components, including any protective
packaging, are not damaged.
Doors manufactured in accordance with BS1186: Parts 1 and 2: ‘Quality of
timber and workmanship in joinery’ are made from timber with a moisture
content between 10% and 19% depending upon their type and location. For
long term performance of the door and finish, it is important that the
appropriate moisture content is maintained during storage on site and
during the construction process.
Wherever possible the sequence of deliveries should be coordinated to site
requirements in order that doors are not kept on site unfixed for longer
than necessary.
Handle Doors Carefully
Doors and
doorsets should be handled carefully to avoid physical damage (do not lift
by glazing bars) and to keep them clean. When door leaves are protected by
shrink-wrapping or other packaging this should be kept in place as long as
possible.
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Doors delivered in the white should be sealed or knotted and primed on
all faces and edges immediately after delivery.
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Never hang a door before applying a protective coating.
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Store doors under cover in a dry ventilated building.
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Doors should be stored flat (never on edge or on end) on a level surface
and kept clear of the floor on at least three level bearers. The bearers
should be longer than the width of the doors.
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Doors should be protected from dirt and damage but without restricting
air circulation.
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Natural finish doors should be stacked so that they are not partly
exposed to daylight and opaque wrappings must not be torn.
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Exposure to ultra violet light can cause fading or discolouration of
timber veneers.
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Whenever possible store doors and doorsets in the sequence they will be
needed with codes or identifying marks visible to avoid double handling.
Avoid dragging them across each other in the stack.
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Doors which have projecting sills or have the hardware fitted must have
spacers between them in the stack to avoid damage.
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Protect doors during site operations.
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Ensure that the moisture content of the wood is kept close to the level
at which it was when the door was manufactured.
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Internal doors must be conditioned to the service conditions before
fixing. They must be protected from abnormal heat, extreme dryness,
humid conditions or sudden changes of temperature or humidity.
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Doors should not be stored or fitted in the building until the wet
trades are finished and dried out.
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Treat doors like a piece of furniture.
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Factory finished door frames or door linings should ideally be fitted
into preformed openings and not built in to masonry walls.
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Prefinished doors should retain their protective packaging until the
latest possible time, ideally until after internal decorations have been
completed.
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If
it is necessary to separate the doors from doorsets, each door and frame
should be given an identification mark so that the correct door is
returned to the frame.
Installation
Doors should
be fitted square, true and plumb and fixed in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions or the project specification.
Three hinges should be fitted to all external doors, doors weighing more
than 20 kilograms and internal doors where large differences of
temperature or humidity on opposing faces can be expected (e.g. bathrooms
and airing cupboards).
Mortices for locks must not be cut through joints in the door framing as
this will impair performance of the rail joint.
If any part of an external door or door frame is cut or drilled, swab the
newly exposed timber with suitable preservative material and recoat with
primer or stain.
Fire resisting doors should not be altered on site. Cutting of glazing
apertures on site must not be carried out without the approval of the door
manufacturer and the local Fire Officer. Ideally, the door frame should be
set well back from the outer face of the wall or else be protected by a
canopy. If not, the head of the frame should be provided with a projecting
head drip. External doors opening outwards should be particularly well
protected.
Glazed panels in doors must satisfy the requirements in respect of safety
glass. Bead glazing must be correctly fitted using compound or glazing
tapes to both sides of the glass.
Finishing
External doors and frames with factory applied primer or base coat stain
should have at least one of the finishing coats applied as soon as
possible after delivery or installation. The back of external frames
should be coated before installation. Use good glazing practice Glazing
rebates and backs of beads should be sealed with an appropriate sealant.
Ensure surfaces and edges are in good condition before applying finishing
coats. If the primer or base coat stain has deteriorated it should be
recoated before further finishing coats are applied.
Finishing of external doors and frames should be carried out in dry
weather using good exterior quality materials in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
On external doors, the finish should be an exterior quality paint or a
‘high build’ stain. (‘Low build’ types of stain should not be used on
external doors.)
It should be noted that the use of dark coloured paint or stain finishes
on external doors, particularly if located on the south or south west
elevations of buildings, will result in high surface temperatures on the
door and can increase the risk of distortion and of resin exudation
through the finish.
Ensure all Surfaces and Edges are
Finished
It is
important that all surfaces of doors are painted. For external doors or
other doors subject to wetting or take up of moisture it is especially
important that the full finishing system is applied to the top and bottom
edges of the door leaf. The bottom edge should be coated before fitting
the door.
Factory finished doors should be checked and any small areas made good in
accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. The door manufacturer
may disclaim responsibility for any defect or failure that may
subsequently occur which is attributable to non-compliance either wholly
or in part with the advice given in this copy.
In addition to the recommendations of the British Wood Working Federation
given above, the following points regarding achieving a long lasting
finish to doors should be noted.
Getting the Best Finish
The secret to a smooth finish is a series of sanding stages (either work
by hand or use an electric sander). Always work with the grain and
progressively change to a finer sandpaper. Make sure that sharp edges are
slightly rounded, especially on doors designed to endure weather
conditions, as these areas are where breakdown of any coating usually
begins.
Note: Recommendations from the manufacturers of wood stain and
preservatives differ, for example some recommend a different base coat
preservative. It is essential that the manufacturers instructions are
followed closely. Below is a guide to ensuring the finished door is fully
protected and sealed. However, our recommended number of treatments is the
minimum required, irrespective of manufacturers recommendations.
We do not recommend using varnish on exterior doors.
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Recommended
number of coats of preservative
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Recommended
number of coats of wood stain
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Exterior Hardwood
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2
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3
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Interior Hardwood
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1
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3
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Preparing and Cleaning
Ensure all carpentry enabling the door to be fitted is completed, remove
any hinges or door furniture. Remove all dust and grease, by wiping all
surfaces with either white spirit or cellulose thinner, (check the
recommendations from the manufacturer of your preservative, stain or wood
stain). A vacuum cleaner with a small brush or nozzle will help you get
into all areas. Remember to wipe down again after rubbing down.
Preserving Untreated surfaces
Use TWO coats
of a clear preservative for all exterior woodwork, one coat for any
interior woodwork that requires preserving. Follow the manufacturers
recommendations regarding application closely.
Applying Wood Stains
Most wood stain is toxic and or flammable – Follow the manufacturers
instructions closely and consider the ventilation aspects of the location
where you will be working.
Choose the
type of product you wish to use carefully. Consider the product you will
be applying the wood stain to. Do not use an interior wood stain on an
exterior door.
Important
Always treat the end grain and ensure that a good treatment is applied to
all surfaces. Pay close attention to top and bottom edges, cut areas for
lock and hinge housings and holes for letter plates.
Coat All Areas
Always apply the correct number of coats of wood stain at the right time
intervals as recommended by the manufacturers of the wood stain. Always
sand the door lightly between applying coats, and remember to re-clean all
surfaces.
Staining or Dyeing the Surface
A number of differing treatments are available to change the colour of the
wood. If possible, save any off cuts to test the colour on, if this is not
possible, always test a less conspicuous small area before applying the
full covering. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding
application and ensure that the requisite amount of recommended coats is
applied. Remember the final colour is dependent on the type of wood being
treated.
Maintaining the Door
Inspect the condition of all external joinery, especially the decorative
and glazing systems, at maximum intervals of one year and carry out
remedial work as required. Care should be taken to also follow the
recommendations on maintenance inspection from the manufacturers of the
stain or paint. Always follow the inspection regime that has the shortest
interval of inspection.
Overall
The golden rules in achieving a fine long-lasting surface for your door,
are, ensure you have enough time to do the job; consider where you will be
working, the weather conditions (if applicable) and be fully aware of the
manufacturers instructions before starting work.
