Sun and moisture are the two main causes of finish breakdown on a wood garage door, according to Clopay. It asks for an annual look, repainting every one to two years for painted doors and a UV-resistant penetrating stain for stained ones. Fading is normal wear and not a warranty item. Dark insulated doors can also bow in direct sun.
What sun does to a door finish
A door that faces the sun takes the most light and heat on its outside skin. Over time paint chalks and fades, stain lightens and clear coats crack. Clopay's wood door care guide says the two major causes of finish breakdown are sun and moisture, and it asks owners to check the door each year for cracking or peeling paint and for cracks in the wood.
Manufacturers also say fading is expected. Clopay's warranty notes list normal fading or discoloration from usage, age or UV exposure as not covered, so the finish is something an owner maintains.
Wood doors: paint and stain
For painted wood doors, Clopay recommends repainting every one to two years to help protect the door against the elements. For stained doors it says to reapply as needed per the stain maker, and that in general the clearer the stain, the more often it needs reapplying.
When choosing a stain, Clopay's guide calls for an exterior oil-based penetrating stain that is mildew resistant, UV resistant and water repellent, and says not to use non-breathable, film-forming finishes such as varnish or urethane. It also says not to finish a wood door in humid conditions and that every surface, including the sides, back, bottom and joints, must be finished.
Look along the joints and the lower edge of each section for cracks. A door with cracked wood or a section that no longer sits square should be checked by a technician. See garage door repair. If the door is too far gone, new garage doors shows options.
Steel doors and thermal bowing
Steel and aluminum doors do not weather the way wood does, but dark insulated doors can bow in the sun. DASMA says thermal bowing is an inherent trait of insulated sandwich-panel doors and not a product defect. A brown door facing the sun on a hot day will bow more than a white one, and a south-facing door in direct sun is more likely to bow than a north-facing one. The wider the door, the greater the bow.
Signs are the top section rubbing the header or a gap at the top. Horizontal struts across the back can reduce it, and the door maker can say which fix suits a given model. This is something to weigh when you pick a color; see heat and your garage door.
Cleaning without hurting the finish
Clopay's steel door guide says doors need cleaning at least twice a year, avoid cleaning in the hot sun, and do not use scouring powders, solvents, alkaline or acid cleaners or a pressure washer. For acrylic or polycarbonate windows it calls for a soft sponge or cloth, mild dish soap and lukewarm water, with no brushing, scrubbing or scraping.
- Clean in the shade or early in the day.
- Use mild soap and water with a soft cloth or sponge.
- Rinse with clean water and let the door dry.
- Skip pressure washers, solvents and scouring pads.
- Touch up chips early so moisture cannot get under the finish.
Choosing a finish for the desert
A lighter color, a finish the maker rates for exterior use and a door that is not too wide for its construction all help. Ask for the care guide for the exact door model and keep it. If you plan to refinish a wood door, plan to do it at the interval the maker gives, not when it already looks tired.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Arizona, including Scottsdale, Surprise and Tempe. Call or send your details with a photo of the door and we book the soonest visit.
Questions people ask
Why does my garage door fade in Arizona?
Sun and moisture break down the finish. Clopay says these are the two major causes of finish breakdown on wood doors, and that fading from UV exposure is normal wear.
How often should I repaint a wood garage door?
Clopay recommends repainting a painted wood door every one to two years. For stained doors, reapply as needed per the stain maker.
Is fading covered by the warranty?
Not on the Clopay doors we read about. Their warranty notes list normal fading or discoloration from usage, age or UV exposure as excluded. Check your own warranty.
Can a dark garage door warp in the sun?
DASMA says insulated sandwich-panel doors can bow in the sun, more so with dark colors and wide doors. It is not considered a defect, and struts can reduce it.
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More guides
Sources
- Clopay: Care and Maintenance, wood garage doors (sun and moisture, repainting, staining, annual inspection)
- Clopay: Care and Maintenance, Avante garage doors (inspection, lubrication, cleaning, photo eyes, fading warranty note)
- DASMA Technical Data Sheet 185: Thermal Bowing of Garage Doors with Bonded Core Sections