Finishing and looking after your door
Most door problems, such as warping, splitting and peeling, come from moisture getting into bare wood, so store the door flat, seal every surface and every cut, and clean it gently.
When it arrives
- Check the door straight away and again before fitting. Real wood veneers vary in colour and grain; that is normal.
- Store it flat on a clean, level surface in a dry, heated room for about a week before fitting. Keep it out of freshly plastered rooms and cold sheds or garages.
Finishing by door type
| Door | What to do |
|---|---|
| Unfinished oak and other veneers | Sand lightly with fine paper to remove raised grain, then apply an interior varnish, lacquer or oil. Three coats is typical; follow the product's instructions. |
| White primed | Sand away any rough patches or excess primer, then one or two top coats. For a dark colour, use a dark undercoat first. |
| Pre-finished | Ready to hang. Re-seal any trimmed edge, hinge recess or lock cut-out straight away; touch-up pots are available for some colours. |
| Laminate | Ready to hang. Wipe clean only; no sanding or painting. |
| External timber | Seal every face, including the top and bottom edges, before hanging, with an exterior finish. Check the door's warranty terms. |
Everyday care
- Dust with a soft cloth or the soft brush on your vacuum.
- Wipe marks with a damp, not wet, cloth and warm water.
- For stubborn marks, use a mild soap solution. Avoid scourers and strong chemical cleaners.
- Re-coat oiled and external doors when the finish starts to look dry or worn.
- Keep fire doors closed and never wedge them open.
Browse our internal doors and external doors.
See it before you buy: try our doors, handles and frames in a photo of your own doorway with Door-R-View, or call us on 0208 599 0200.