care & maintenance

All Designer Doors Syd products are designed for durability, but regular care is essential to maintain appearance and performance.

Storage: Before installation, store doors flat in a dry, well-ventilated space away from direct sunlight or moisture.

Sealing: All six faces (front, back, top, bottom, and both edges) must be sealed before hanging and after any trimming. Use a high-quality paint, stain, or clear finish that is suitable for timber.

Finishing: Always follow the coating manufacturer’s instructions for the correct number of coats. For external doors, choose finishes with a light reflectance value (LRV) greater than 50 to prevent excessive heat absorption.

What is LRV (Light Reflectance Value)?

LRV = how much visible light a colour reflects.

0 = jet black (absorbs almost all light → gets hot)

100 = pure white (reflects almost all light → stays cooler)

For external doors, to ensure it remains within warranty conditions, we strongly recommend finishes with a LRV greater than 50 so your door reflects more light than it absorbs.

Why?

Lower LRV colours hold heat → heat = movement → movement = risk of bowing / warping / coating failure over time.

CARE & FINISHING NOTES

ONGOING CARE:

  • All six faces of the door (front, back, both long edges, top, bottom) must be sealed and maintained.

  • For external or moisture-exposed locations, use light/neutral colours with high light reflectance to reduce heat absorption and minimise bowing or twisting. Dark colours can overheat a door and may void warranty.

  • Wipe doors with a damp cloth only. Avoid harsh cleaners or abrasive pads.

  • Lightly oil hinges and hardware occasionally to maintain smooth movement.

  • Colour: Use the same finish colour on all faces of the door to ensure even moisture movement and reduce the risk of warping.

  • Cleaning: Wipe with a soft, damp cloth only. Avoid hosing, harsh chemicals, or abrasive cleaners.

  • Hardware: Lightly oil hinges and handle mechanisms as part of regular maintenance.

  • Re-coating: Inspect periodically. Refinish or reseal at the first sign of wear to maintain full protection.

Overhead Protection

Timber doors are naturally affected by sunlight, temperature, and moisture. To ensure long-term performance and stability, all external and entry doors must be installed in a sheltered area that offers suitable overhead cover.

The required amount of protection depends on your home’s orientation and local climate. In general:

  • Northern and western exposures require deeper overhead coverage to reduce heat and moisture exposure.

  • Southern and eastern aspects typically need less coverage but should still be protected from rain and direct sun.

As a general rule, the minimum projection of the overhead structure (such as an eave, awning, or porch) should be at least equal to the height of the door frame from the base of the sill to the underside of the cover. Homes in tropical or coastal areas may require additional overhang due to higher humidity and UV exposure.

Doors finished in dark colours absorb more heat, increasing the risk of warping or bowing. For all exterior installations, we strongly recommend light, reflective colours to minimise heat absorption and extend the life of the door finish.

Designer Doors Syd

Sydney, Australia

All products are proudly manufactured in Australia using locally sourced materials.