Wooden Garage Door Tips: How To Prevent & Fix Small Cracks

You might have chosen a wooden garage door because of its natural appearance, so it would be a shame if that look was altered. The following is a guide that will help you prevent unnecessary cracks on your garage door and will also teach you how to fix a small crack on your door.

Crack Dangers To Watch For

Consider the following to help your garage door fight off unnecessary cracks:

  1. The first thing you should pay attention to is the temperature in your environment. The temperature can cause your wooden door to expand and contract. The contraction phenomenon is called the linear thermal contraction, and the expansion is called the linear thermal expansion. You need to be aware of the temperature-related limits your particular wooden door has. You can consult your owner's manual for this information, or talk to your garage door specialist. 
  2. You should also pay attention to the humidity in your environment. Dryness can cause your wood garage door to lose some of its density and, therefore, some of its strength. Dryness can put your garage door in danger of cracking. 

Both of these issues must be addressed by a garage door company like AAA Garage Door, Inc.. They can recommend a good weather-related seal that will effectively protect your garage door from extreme temperatures and dryness. 

How To Fix Small Cracks On Your Garage Door

Cracks can still appear no matter how much you try to prevent them from happening. The following is a guide that can help you get rid of surface cracks on your garage door:

  1. The easiest thing you can do is purchase wood putty from your local hardware store. Follow the directions to apply the wood putty on the crack, and let it dry. You can sand down the putty to smooth out the area afterwards. This option is easy, but it will not last for a long time because the putty is not meant to withstand extreme temperatures. 
  2. You can also get some sawdust and wood glue from your local hardware store. You will need about 1/2 the amount of glue compared to the sawdust. Blend the two together, and fill in the crack of your garage door. Use your putty knife to even out the blend on your door, and let it dry. Finish it off by sanding it until smooth. 
  3. Another option is to just drill a thin wooden piece over the crack using wood screws. 

As you can see, preventing cracks and dealing with them should not be too difficult. Remember, if the cracks are too large, then you may need to talk to your garage door specialist. The crack may be big enough to weaken the overall structure of your garage door and may need to be replaced. 


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