Few things are able to add as much beauty and value to your home as a set of custom wood folding doors. Whether you own a small set of bi-fold wood doors or a larger folding door system consisting of 5+ panels, though it’s important to take good care of the wooden frame.

The better you care for the door’s wooden frame, the longer your doors will last, and the greater the value that they’ll add to your home.

So, if you’re considering installing a set of wood accordion doors in your home or you already have some, then this article is definitely worth your time! The few minutes that it will take to read this can save you hundreds or even thousands in expensive wood restoration and repair jobs later on down the line.

What Are The Advantages Of Wood Folding Doors?

For those of you who are still in the decision-making process and you’re debating whether you should go for wood, aluminum, or vinyl folding doors, then this section should help you figure out which is best for your space.

Although it’s arguably one of the more expensive materials used to manufacture folding doors, using real hardwood as a doorframe material certainly has its benefits. Here are some of the key advantages of wooden folding doors.

Increased Value

Like we mentioned, using wood for your folding doors is typically a lot more expensive than using vinyl for your doors. Depending on the particular brand you’re buying from, you may even find that wooden folding doors are more expensive than aluminum folding doors.

Despite the extra money that you’ll spend upfront, though, you’re almost certain to get a solid return on it. If you plan on selling your home anytime soon, then your wooden folding doors can greatly increase the value of your home and are a huge selling point.

Rustic Appearance

One of the key reasons why homeowners go for vinyl or aluminum doorframe materials is that they contribute to a more modern appearance. For those who are looking for something to provide a more rustic feel, though, opting for a wooden folding door system is a great way to open up your space and make it feel “new” without crossing the border into high-tech modern design.

Superior Insulation

Last but not least, one of the best reasons to choose wood folding doors is that they provide superior insulation when compared to aluminum and vinyl. Thick slabs of wood provide an excellent temperature-resistant barrier that helps keep the inside air in and the outside air out.

When combined with energy-efficient glass panels, you’ll have an incredibly energy-efficient folding door system!

4 Tips To Care For Your Wood Folding Doors

Hopefully, we’ve given you some good discussion points if you’re still in the decision-making process! For those of you who already have a nice set of wood bi-fold or multi-fold doors, though, you’ll need to perform some routine maintenance to keep them looking as good as new. Here are 5 key tips that you should employ to maintain the integrity of your wooden doorframe.

1) Keep Them Mold-Free

As we discussed above, using organic material has a lot of benefits. However, the fact that it’s all-natural is also its key weakness. The number one enemy of wood folding doors is going to be mold. Once it gets into the wood, it can spread across its surface and start eating away at the wood, turning it into soft mush. This is especially common in tropical climates that see a lot of rain and humidity.

As long as you’re proactive about treating mold, though, it shouldn’t turn into a big issue. Your best bet to preventing mold is to have your home (including your folding doors) pressure washed with a bleach solution twice a year. This will kill any mold that has started to develop as well as any spores that may have landed on the wood’s surface.

2) Sand Away Imperfections

If you happen to notice any imperfections such as a chip in the wood or the surface starting to look “fuzzy,” then the easiest way to fix it is to sand it away. Using a piece of high-grit sandpaper, lightly exfoliate the area of the wood with the most imperfections. Then, blow or vacuum away all of the dust.

Lastly, purchase a small can of stain/sealant from the store that best matches the existing stain on your door. Brush the stain on and give it 24 hours to dry and cure on a hot sunny day. Bingo- problem solved!

3) Make Sure They’re Well-Sealed

If mold is the worst enemy of your wooden doors, then moisture is the second-worst enemy of your doors. If moisture is allowed to get into your doors, it can cause the material to warp and expand. This, in turn, can cause a misalignment of your folding doors, negatively affecting movement, and even causing leaks.

The best way to prevent this is to make sure that they are well-sealed. Many wood folding doors come factory-stained, but some will expect the buyer to stain the doors themselves. Always make sure that you clarify this with the manufacturer because the last thing you want to do is install a set of unsealed wooden doors and expose them to the elements.

4) Re-Stain Them Periodically

Most wood stains and sealants are only designed to provide protection for 3 to 5 years at a time. If your wood bi-fold doors are in direct sunlight, then the sealant can break down even faster. This means that it’s a good idea to get the doors stripped, sanded, and re-stained every 3 to 5 years!

Conclusion

Wood is arguably one of the hardest materials to care for when it comes to folding door systems. However, if you’re willing to perform a bit of preventative maintenance, then wood is an excellent material for your folding doors!