So your brand-new custom door is installed; it’s gorgeous, shiny, sturdy—and one of the most beautiful and well-displayed investments you’ll ever make.

Now what?

Your imposing, elegant entryway was hewn by skilled, professional craftsmen and artisans out of materials that are designed to last for centuries—but even the most masterful paintings and marble statues in the Louvre need a good cleaning every now and then to avoid damage and disrepair.

These doors require love, care, and attention to retain their luxury and aesthetic. And from a practical standpoint, the better upkeep you perform, the less you will have to spend on repairs and professional interventions down the road.

An improperly maintained entrance doesn’t just risk outrageous repair bills. Recurrent maintenance issues, premature aging, an uninviting exterior, and diminished overall value of your home can result from a lack of care or know-how.

Sounds pretty awful, right?

The space at the entrance of your home is of utmost importance; a broken, damaged or dirty first impression will leave everyone who enters a little “off.”

Here are some basic dos and don’ts of custom door care, as well as some safety considerations, which will not only help preserve the life of your investment, but will also go a long way towards maintaining your home’s market value.

Remember, you didn’t just “pick a door, any door,” so if you are ever in question about maintenance or cleaning, please contact a professional to avoid any mishaps.

Dos

• For wood doors, use a mild soap and water solution to get greasy fingerprints and smudges off of the exterior and interior. A vinegar and water solution will do for steel doors.
• Do inspect the door regularly for damage or any wear and tear including the weather stripping, door bottom sweep, sealants and hardware, to arrange for replacement as needed.
• Do check the door’s finish for cracks, chipping or peeling on a routine basis.
• Do examine door hardware, check if the screws or bolts need to be tightened, lubricate door hinges as needed (and only as instructed,) in order to ensure the security of the door.

Don’ts

• Don’t clean fiberglass with soap or any other abrasive household cleanser. Instead, use a non-abrasive cleaning solution with a dampened rag to remove dirt spots.
• Don’t use a pressure washer or garden hose on your custom door.
• Don’t drill holes or screws or install nails into the surface of your door to hang wreaths or other décor items.
• Don’t use a bristled scrubber or brush.
• Don’t use abrasive chemicals.
• Don’t attempt to fix worn weather strips or any other damaged elements on your own. Always contact a professional.

Security Begins with Design and Installation

As welcoming as the entry of a home should be, it’s essential to maintain a high level of security around the front door.

Here are some simple ways to add more security:

• Start by installing a solid-core, robust door at the entryway. Choices like solid wood, solid wood core, steel and fiberglass are hard to breech.
• Install a multi-point locking system with a series of locks at different spots on the door frame.
• Installing a wide-angled peephole is a great way to give yourself an edge ahead of time. You can identify a visitor as a stranger or a friend before deciding to open the door.

Properly maintained custom doors from Madison are valuable additions to your home and smart investments in your future. If you are thoughtful and careful from the start, you can avoid potential damage, break-ins and build-up.

A bright, clean door adds to your home’s curb appeal and creates a welcoming exterior ambience for your visitors.

Make sure your investment remains fascinating, functional and in good shape—with a little elbow grease and some help from the experts at Madison Doors!