How Long Does the Average Door Last?
Doors can last up to 30 years with timely maintenance and paint touch-ups. Even wooden front doors can last for decades with proper care. Timber materials can withstand harsh environmental elements as long as their coating is intact and that they don’t face extreme physical impact.
What are the lifespans of doors?
- Wooden doors made from cedar, mahogany, oak or maple (at least 20 years)
- Fibreglass doors (at least 50 years)
- Steel doors (estimate is 30 to 100 years)
- Glass doors (50 years or longer)
Although their core material can last for decades, their coatings may not. Paint usually fades because exterior doors are exposed to harsh sunlight, rain, moisture and wind. Physical and chemical actions can make the coating become thinner or totally disappear in some spots.
As a result, it’s important to put weather-resistant paint especially on wooden doors. Aside from protecting the timber material, this also helps maintain the door’s usual and elegant appearance.
In addition, it helps to provide an additional layer of protection for the exterior front doors. A small roof above the front door can block some or most of the sunlight and rain. A storm door can also help as this is specifically built to be more durable than regular doors (storm doors can adequately protect the regular front door against rain and snow).
When should you replace a door?
- When you see significant damages
- It’s hard to open and close the door
- For better security and peace of mind
- For better or more consistent aesthetics and style
If you see warping, cracks and large dents and scratches that can’t be fixed by repaint, it’s time to replace the front door. It’s also the case when you find it hard to open and close the door. The problem could be on the door itself, hinges or its frame.
You should also replace your door if you have safety (e.g. bushfire) and security concerns. Some homeowners choose to replace their doors with stronger and heavier ones when there’s a recent burglary or intrusion in their neighbourhood. Heavier and stronger doors can provide better security and peace of mind.
Another reason is when your home is undergoing a major renovation. Perhaps your home will feature more glass surfaces (e.g. larger windows and doors with glass). Or, you may want to make your home look more timeless and traditional (timber doors are great choices here).
You can find such doors here. We have traditional solid timber doors as well as bushfire-resistant ones. You can choose among the several different options here or request for a fully customised one.