Wood doors have a rich sense of character and beauty all their own. Perhaps this can be attributed to their natural wood grain, their often stained (rather than painted) appearance and the heavy, durable feel they tend to have. What’s more, they can be a stunning way to make a statement at your front entry and also give guests an idea of what awaits in your home’s interior spaces. Here are a few features of wood doors to note before installing one at your home’s front entry. 

Pros

As noted above the wood grain is one of the most attractive features of a wooden exterior door. As with wood furniture, there are numerous options of wood to choose from when it comes to your door. You can have everything from a modern and sleek bamboo or teak to a traditional oak or mahogany or even a more rustic cedar or knotty pine — along with plenty of selections that fall somewhere in between. Door panels, molding and any special feature you want can be crafted into the wood. You can also customize the finish of your door with stain or paint. Stains are often a popular choice allowing you to show the wood’s natural grain. 

Most of these entry doors are also solid wood or feature a solid engineered wood core, meaning you have superior durability and insulation. This may not only help with security concerns and energy savings, but could also reduce the amount of noise you hear from the outdoors. 

Another attractive quality of wood doors is that they can be custom made to fit any size opening or trimmed to a specific size doorway. In this regard, wood is a material that easy to work with and can be made to fit your exact needs. You can even have windows or space for glass inserts cut into a custom door. 

Cons

Wood doors do require a bit of care and maintenance to keep them looking and performing at their peak. For instance, they should be sealed before or immediately following installation. If you do not complete this crucial step, they may absorb moisture, which could cause them to warp or swell over time. You’ll need to reseal every couple of years. In the same manner, you may need to touch up stain or paint every few years, too, as they may chip with normal wear and tear over time. 

One other thing to note is that wood doors — because of their heavy material — may sag over time. Again, this can be fixed with routine maintenance or updates to your hardware and frame.