External Door Care Guide

Timber is a natural material. Movement, expansion and contraction are normal characteristics of solid timber doors and are influenced by sun, moisture and environmental conditions.

The following guidelines reflect standard practice across the Australian timber door industry.

Finish Options

Our external doors are available in two finish types:

• Pre-Primed (Ready for painting)
• Natural Timber (Ready for staining, oiling or painting)

1. Pre-Primed — Ready for Painting

Pre-primed doors are supplied with a primer base coat, ready to be finished in your chosen paint system.

The door must be fully painted and sealed on all sides before being exposed to weather. We recommend using an oil-based enamel system for external joinery.

Note: Very dark colours — particularly black — are not recommended for sun-exposed doors. Dark colours absorb heat, which may increase timber movement, reduce coating longevity and affect long-term durability. If selecting a dark colour, the door should be installed in a well-protected position.

2. Natural Timber — Ready for Oiling, Staining or Painting

Natural timber doors are supplied unfinished, ready to be oiled, stained or painted.

Before exposure to weather, the door must be fully sealed on all sides using a high-quality exterior oil, stain or paint system suitable for external joinery.

We recommend an oil-based penetrating system that allows for natural timber movement and long-term performance.

Water-based or film-forming coatings (including polyurethane, lacquer or similar hard-set finishes) are not recommended for external timber doors, as they restrict movement and may reduce durability over time.

Ongoing maintenance and periodic recoating will be required depending on sun exposure, weather conditions and environmental factors.

Timber Species

Meranti is our most commonly used timber across our standard range. We also offer American Oak, and our custom doors are manufactured locally using Rose Gum.

(Other Australian hardwoods may be available on request, depending on availability and exposure requirements.)

Meranti
A stable, moderately dense hardwood widely used in Australian exterior joinery.

It offers a warm, mid-toned natural colour and accepts paint, stain or oil finishes well. It is strong and durable without being overly heavy or brittle, making it a practical and reliable choice for most standard external applications.

Natural colour and grain variation are normal characteristics of this timber.

Rose Gum (Custom Orders)
A dense Australian hardwood used for custom external doors made locally.

It has a pink-to-light-reddish tone that deepens slightly over time and offers excellent strength and durability. Due to its density, Rose Gum may be better suited to higher exposure environments when correctly specified and maintained.

American Oak
Known for its light blonde tone and refined, consistent grain.

It is most commonly selected for clear oil finishes to showcase its natural appearance. While structurally suitable for exterior use when protected, it is more prone to surface checking in direct sun or weather and is best suited to protected applications.

Other Hardwood Options

Depending on availability, we may also manufacture in Blackbutt, Tasmanian Oak or Spotted Gum by request.

Suitability will vary depending on exposure conditions and finish system.

Timber Performance & Exposure Guide

The level of exposure a door can tolerate will vary depending on timber species, finish system and environmental conditions. Some hardwoods perform better in higher exposure environments than others.
 

THIS TABLE IS A GENERAL GUIDE ONLY

If you are unsure which timber or finish is most appropriate for your project, we recommend discussing your site conditions with us prior to ordering.

Ongoing Maintenance

External timber doors require periodic inspection and maintenance.

We highly recommend checking your door regularly for signs of dryness, cracking, peeling, surface checking or discolouration. Maintenance frequency will depend on sun exposure, weather conditions, coastal environments, timber species and coating system used.

Regular maintenance is part of owning a natural timber product and will help preserve both appearance and performance over time.