How Sunlight Can Affect Your Entrance Door

22/09/2022

Sunlight and harsh UV rays can affect the appearance and structural integrity of doors. It’s especially the case with timber doors where the material can get brittle because of constant exposure to the sun. 

In addition, constant exposure to the sun can also cause the paint or coating to fade or change colour. This fading or discolouration can ruin the appearance of your front door and affect the overall appeal of your home exterior. This might also make the entry a bit unwelcoming or distracting because the door looks old or far from its optimal beauty and condition. 

How to protect your front door from harsh sunlight 

Doors can last for at least 10 years. That’s because door materials are often strong and long lasting. Even timber doors that are said to be vulnerable to weather elements can still endure the constant exposure. After all, timber was chosen as a material in the first place because of its durability and longevity. 

But to maximise the lifespan and maintain the door’s elegant or plain appearance, it’s important to protect it from harsh sunlight. You can do this by building an overhang above the entryway. The overhang can block the sunlight for most hours of the day. Make sure though that at all hours, the door is totally protected (sunlight’s orientation and the overhang’s angle might still allow sunlight to reach the door). 

A tree canopy can also provide some cover. In addition, trees can provide natural cooling within and surrounding the home. However, it takes years for trees to fully mature. Also, you have to anticipate how the tree will grow and how it will take over a large space of your property. 

Another choice you have is by choosing a light-coloured paint instead of darker ones for your front door. Light colours can absorb less UV, which can help protect your door from fading and discolouration. Fading or discolouration also tends to be less visible on surfaces with lighter colours. On the other hand, darker colours can absorb as much of the harsh UV rays hitting the surface. This can further accelerate the degradation of the paint or coating. 

Even with adequate protection, after 10 years or so the entrance door’s appearance can still fade and the door material may start showing structural vulnerabilities. In this case, you might want to replace your door with something new or a door that’s more consistent with your home’s overall theme.