Woodworkers and craftsmen will tell you: there are very few things that rival the beauty of grains in the perfect piece of wood. The finest door manufacturers will choose not only the finest pieces of wood to make their doors, they’ll also seal it and enhance it with a stained finish that will protect it.
What a Stain Does
Stained doors are more than just something nice to look at. Staining a door does many things.
* Makes Wood Waterproof: This is obviously very important for exterior doors like your front door. Since it is exposed to the elements and can get wet frequently, staining a front door is a good idea. Water can cause so many problems for wood. Wood stain forms a barrier between the surface of the wood and the elements. Think of it as a seal that makes water run off and away from the wood without causing that wood any harm.
* Protects from Rot: Wood is extremely vulnerable to rot if left untreated. Once a little rot sets in, there’s nothing to do but replace it. Wood stain protects wood from rot. Stained doors are protected not only from rot but from mold, mildew, termites and other pests.
* Blocks Sunlight: Over a period of regular exposure to the sun, wood can be damaged. Just like we need to protect our skin from the damage the sun’s rays can do, we need to protect our wood doors. Staining will prevent wood from discoloring due to sun exposure.
* Coloring Wood: If you want your door to be a specific color, not natural to the wood you have, stain can accomplish that. You can get a wide variety of different colored stains which is helpful if you’re trying to match a door to existing woodwork or trim in your house. But staining a door does not necessarily mean that it has to have a different color than the original wood. There are many clear stains that simply highlight the natural beauty of the wood and protect it from things like water, sun and rot.
Why Stained?
Many people prefer stained doors over painted doors for one reason: A stained door allows the wood’s grain to be seen and for its natural beauty to be highlighted. This gives the door character, it enhances the decor of the home, provides a focal point, and highlights or complements other wood trims, doors or pieces of the home. You can find doors factory stained and finished, and some custom builders will let you pick out the door and the type of stain before they begin the process. So if you have something in particular in mind, a door supplier who specializes in custom building and design is your best option.
