This may not be the Scottish summer we were hoping for in terms of weather, but temperatures are still higher compared to the winter months.
And while this is great news for many, it can be a struggle for homeowners as warmer weather can wreak havoc on the structure of your home.
This is especially true for doors. You may have noticed that they don’t close as well as they should, and according to experts, this is a very common problem, but it can be expensive to fix.
Paul Strong, operations manager at Magnet Trade, has warned that doors are more likely to warp and swell in hot weather, making them less effective. He said: “Most of the doors in our homes are made from wood, PVC, composite or metal – all materials that can expand during the summer. Wooden doors swell as a result of moisture absorption. When exposed to moisture and heat, the fibres in the material swell and subsequently so does the wood.”
But it’s not just the material that can have an impact. In fact, homeowners often make the mistake of painting or installing dark-coloured doors, which also greatly influences their tendency to warp or swell.
Paul added: “As for colour, dark colours such as black and dark brown absorb much more heat from the sun than a white door. Therefore, this increased heat absorption can cause the door to expand more and, over time, warp.”
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It can be very difficult to repair a door that is badly warped and you may be forced to replace the entire unit, which could cost you between £300 and £1000 depending on the expert. Fortunately, there are a couple of ways that homeowners can help prevent this from happening.
Ensure proper installation
It’s common for doors to be more prone to swelling and warping because they weren’t hung properly in the first place. So make sure your doors have adequate allowances for expansion and contraction and check that the frames and hinges are properly aligned to prevent any stress on the door.
Timber doors can expand up to 9mm and uPVC doors can expand up to 2.4mm, so make sure your doors and frames can allow for this expansion.
Make sure the doors are sealed properly
Prevent doors from swelling and warping by ensuring they are properly sealed – weather-resistant varnish and paint are suitable and will prevent moisture from penetrating the material.
Make sure your home is well ventilated
Ventilating your home is critical to preventing doors from swelling and warping. Prevent the buildup of humid air by investing in dehumidifiers, which reduce moisture levels in the air and will help prevent your home’s doors from absorbing moisture.
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