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Door Finishing

In our experience the most important point when finishing a timber door is ensuring that the door is completely sealed to avoid moisture getting in or out.  It is vital that a good quality, branded product is used to protect your purchase immediately after it’s un-wrapped and prior to it being fitted (please also refer to our Terms & Conditions). 

External Doors & Frames

For external doors, only an oil or solvent based finishing system is acceptable.  We recommend the use of Sadolin translucent wood stain systems (or the comparable paint systems), which we can supply. 

This treatment should be given to the front, back, sides, top & bottom of the door. Both base and top coats should be applied liberally as per the manufacturer’s instructions – Data sheets are available to download.  

Where external doors are fitted in a location openly exposed to the elements, we advise that a rain canopy of 1000mm x 600mm deep minimum dimensions should be fitted above these doors.

Any planed edges, cut outs for hinges, locks, letter plates, handles etc. must be additionally sealed during the hanging procedure, so no moisture ingress whatsoever can occur.

Regular maintenance will more than repay the effort involved and will keep your door in good condition and looking new for many years.  Generally if the finish starts to look dull or cloudy in appearance, give your external door a light sanding and apply an additional refresher top coat (this is likely to be every 2/3 years).
 

WARNING:

•    Finish your door BEFORE it is fitted, including Top & Bottom edges 

•    Do not use a water based finish 

•    Do not use a penetrating finish such as Danish/Tung-oil 

•    Use a flexible finish that will allow the timber to expand & contract 

•    If in doubt contact before carrying out any work

Internal Doors & Linings

For internal doors, only an oil or solvent based finish is acceptable.  We recommend the use of Sikkens medium build solvent borne interior varnish (or the comparable paint system), which we can supply.

Or alternativley, for a painted finish a good quality solvent based paint should be used for finishing.

How Many Coats?

Sikkens Cetol TSI Satin plus: Apply x 3 (three) coats Leave each coat sufficient time to dry before re-coating (please refer to data sheet downloads)

This treatment should be given to the front, back and all 4 edges as per the manufacturer’s instructions – Data sheets are available to download. We do not recommend the use of penetrating finishes such as Oil or Wax, as these types of finishes will not sealthe surface of the timber without the risk of damaging veneers or other engineered/bonded components.Any planed edges,cut outs for hinges, latches, handles etc. must be additionally sealed during the hanging procedure, so no moisture ingress whatsoever can occur (this includes pre-finished doors).

WARNING:

• Do not use water based finishes on our doors  

• Do not use penetrating finishes such as Danish/Tung-oil  

• If in doubt contact before carrying out any work  

Please contact us if you require further advice.  We trust you will accept our guidelines from many years of experience, 

and appreciate that any deviation from our advice will limit or invalidate any warranty on the product.