What is the best kind of wood for your exterior door?

Your front door is one of the first things people see when they approach your house. The front door can send a welcoming vibe - or an unwelcoming one. One of the biggest choices you will have to make in your exterior design is whether or not to use a wood door. If you do decide to choose a wood door, what is the best wood for your exterior door?

A wood exterior door looks striking, classy, and timeless. A well-designed wood door works well with the most type of architecture and design. Wood doors also offer good thermal protection for those who live in a cold climate.

Because wood is a natural element, it tends to weather better than man-made materials such as steel. It’s able to withstand extremely hot or cold weather, providing superior insulation to your home.

Wood doors can be designed to go with whatever your house style. Craftsman, Mediterranean, French, arched, or plain styles are all available to meet your specific architectural requirements.

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What is the best wood for your exterior door?

Alder

Alder is a great choice for your exterior door because it has a pronounced grain and distinctive knots which provide texture and character to your door. This hardwood also accepts stain very well so your door can be any shade from a pale yellow to dark reddish. Alder wood doors are very reasonably priced. Check out the selection of alder wood doors here.

Cherry

Generally stained a darker tone, cherry wood is red in color. Characterized by the smooth texture, cherry is a beautiful choice for traditional homeowners who want a darker wood. Cherry is quite expensive, so it may not be your first choice for an exterior door.

Hickory

Hickory has a distinctive grain and often has bird peck marks and mineral streaks in the grain. It has a lot of color variation and can be lighter than some of the other wood choices.

Mahogany

Mahogany also stains well, and your door will be a dark color. It is more expensive than other types of wood doors because it is water resistant and won’t swell or shrink.

Oak

Oak hardwood has a dramatic grain. It stains easily and weathers well.

Maple

Maple hardwood has a uniform texture and grain. Maple is more frequently used in interiors, as the wood will lighten with exposure to the elements. It also has a tendency to shrink over time.

How to  maintain your wood door

We talked about maintaining your exterior doors here. Follow manufacturer's instructions in order to prolong the life of your exterior doors.

To clean your wood exterior door, wash it with a damp sponge to clean surface dirt. You can also wipe it with lemon oil to make it shine naturally. Lemon oils contain a sunscreen which protects the coating from sunlight. Choose a lemon oil with minimal silicone and waxes, as; they tend to build up over time, making it more difficult when it comes time to refinish the wood for your exterior door.

The post How to Choose the Best Wood for your Exterior Door appeared first on Krosswood.