Preventive Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Doormatic Doors

It’s easy to think of a door as a static part of your home—a set of components installed once and then forgotten. But the truth is, your exterior door is the hardest working feature of your building. It’s the primary fenestration point that interacts with the harsh TORONTO climate, providing security, curb appeal, and essential energy efficiency. Just like changing the oil in your car, proactive preventive maintenance is key to extending the life, preserving the beauty, and ensuring the optimal performance of your high-quality Doormatic Doors.

We’ve been in the door replacement and installation business since 1996, and we’ve seen what a little care can do. This guide outlines simple yet crucial tips to ensure your doors—whether wood, steel, or fiberglass—remain in excellent condition and continue to meet your family’s requirements for decades to come.

Part 1: Protecting the Structure and Integrity

The door frame and door jamb are the foundations of your door project. If they fail, the entire installation and performance will suffer.

1. Maintain the Door Frame and Jamb

The door frame, often made of wood, is susceptible to moisture damage and rot, especially at the base.

• Sealant Inspection: Check the caulking around the door frame where it meets the building exterior. Over time, caulk can crack and pull away, allowing water intrusion.
  • Action: If you see gaps, use a high-quality, exterior-grade sealant to reseal the perimeter. This is a small repair that prevents major structural issues.
• Drainage Check: Ensure the area below the door jamb is free from mulch or debris that traps water against the wood. Good drainage is essential, particularly in damp areas like Mississauga.

2. Inspect and Preserve Door Materials

The specific maintenance depends on the material of your exterior door.

• Steel Doors: While robust, steel doors can be prone to rust if the finish is scratched or damaged.
  • Action: Look for small chips or deep scratches in the paint. Clean the area immediately, sand gently, and touch up with exterior-grade paint to prevent moisture from reaching the steel.
• Fiberglass (Fibreglass) Doors: These doors are highly stable but their finish coat can fade or dull due to UV exposure.
  • Action: Wash the door with a mild detergent and water. Apply a non-abrasive automotive wax annually to protect the design and maintain the sheen.
• Wood Doors: Wood is porous and needs protection from the elements to prevent warping or swelling.
  • Action: Inspect the stain or clear coat annually. If it’s peeling or flaking, the wood is exposed. Re-stain or apply a fresh coat of varnish according to manufacturer standards.

Part 2: Hardware and Component Functionality

Smooth operation is critical for performance and energy efficiency. This depends entirely on the condition of the moving door hardware and seals.

3. Lubricate Moving Door Hardware

Friction is the enemy of longevity. Proper lubrication keeps all door hardware working smoothly and quietly.

• Door Hinges: The pins and knuckles of the Door Hinges often seize up, causing the door to drag or squeak.
  • Action: Apply a silicone-based lubricant (avoiding oil, which attracts dust) to the pins of the Hinges. Open and close the door several times to distribute the lubricant.
• Door Lock and Handles: The latch mechanism, keyhole, and internal workings of the Door Handles can become sticky.
  • Action: Spray a small amount of graphite powder or approved lock lubricant into the door lock keyway and latch mechanism. This ensures smooth operation and reliable security.

4. Optimize Weatherstripping and Seals

The weatherstripping is the unsung hero of your door’s energy efficiency. When seals fail, air leaks compromise your home’s climate control.

• Visual and Manual Check: Look for compressed, brittle, or cracked weatherstripping around the entire door frame. On a windy day, hold a piece of tissue paper near the edges of the closed door; if it flutters, the seal is broken.
• Action: Replace any damaged weatherstripping immediately. This is a cost-effective and simple door replacement task that dramatically improves performance. For French doors or Glass Doors, pay special attention to the astragal seal between the two doors.

5. Care for Specialized Doors

Specialized doors require specific attention to their unique components.

• Barn Doors & Sliding Doors: Check the door track and rollers of Barn Doors and sliding closet doors. Debris easily accumulates in the door track, hindering movement.
  • Action: Vacuum the door track thoroughly and apply a light coat of silicone spray.
• BiFolds and Bifold Doors: Ensure the Door Hinges and pivots are tightly secured, as these doors undergo a lot of stress during opening and closing.

Part 3: Aesthetics and Technology Integration

Maintenance is not just about functionality; it’s about preserving beauty and keeping your doors up-to-date with modern solutions.

6. Clean and Protect Decorative Glass

For Glass Doors featuring sidelites, transom, or decorative glass, cleaning methods are important.

• Cleaning: Avoid ammonia-based cleaners on the glass and especially around the seals that hold the glass in place.
  • Action: Use a mild, vinegar-based solution or dedicated glass cleaner. When cleaning sidelites, check the seals where the glass meets the door frame for any gaps.
• Inspection: For insulated Glass Doors, look for any fogging or condensation between the panes. This indicates a seal failure, requiring professional door replacement or repair.

7. Upgrading for Modern Performance

As your door project ages, integrating modern elements can refresh its look and security.

• Smart Technology: Consider upgrading your existing Door Lock with a smart lock for keyless entry and enhanced security. This is a great way to blend traditional door style with modern technology.
• Aesthetic Refresh: Simple changes, like switching out dated Door Handles or adding door window inserts to Solid Doors, can provide a significant boost to curb appeal without the cost of full door replacement. Look for door accessories that complement your overall home design.

Why Choose Doormatic

At Doormatic, we offer more than just products; we deliver complete door solutions. With vast experience serving TORONTO doors and Mississauga doors since 1996, our focus is on quality manufacturing and installation using only premium components. We provide a deep understanding of all door styles—from traditional exterior steel doors to modern Interior Door Barn Doors. We pride ourselves on personalized service and helping you select custom door solutions that truly elevate the design and performance of your home. Our commitment to excellence means lasting customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Your Doormatic Doors are engineered for durability, but they still require your attention. By committing to regular preventive maintenance—checking door hardware, lubricating Hinges, and ensuring the integrity of the weatherstripping—you guarantee optimal performance and energy efficiency. This small investment of time safeguards the beauty and security of your home, ensuring your door replacement remains a source of pride and long-term value.

Call to Action Need help getting your doors ready for the season? Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive maintenance check and learn more about our premium door solutions.