Wood garage doors rot and warp when moisture gets past the finish, and the bottom section is hit first. Surface wear and small cracks can be sanded, filled and refinished. A soft, spongy bottom edge or a warped section usually means replacing that section or the door. Test with a screwdriver and refinish on schedule.
Why wood doors fail at the bottom
DASMA says moisture and sunlight are the main threats to a wood door's finish and structure, and that the bottom section collects the most moisture. Rain splash, sprinklers and a wet threshold all land on the lowest panel, so that is where rot starts.
Wood also takes in water and humidity after it is milled. Creative Door says that can warp the door and make it fit poorly.
How to tell rot from normal wear
Peeling paint, small cracks and gray fading are finish problems. Rot is a structural problem. Creative Door suggests gently prodding the bottom and the edges with a screwdriver. If it pierces the wood, the door could be rotting. Soft, dark or crumbling wood near the bottom edge, around the hinges or where the rollers attach is a warning sign.
DASMA says a solid top section keeps the opener arm bracket and the top roller brackets secure, and that loose hardware should be checked by a trained technician. If wood around a hinge or a bracket is soft, stop using the opener until it is checked.
What can be repaired
Repair works when the wood underneath is sound. DASMA's inspection tips for wood doors cover the common fixes:
- Fill or caulk shrinkage and expansion cracks, then sand and apply a new topcoat.
- Lightly sand the whole door face before repainting or restaining.
- Clean and refinish thin areas with products compatible with the original finish.
- Replace the bottom seal, so water does not sit against the wood.
- Have a technician re-secure or replace loose hinges and brackets.
What cannot be repaired
Rotted wood does not come back. A small damaged spot at the edge can sometimes be cut out and patched, but a soft bottom rail or panel is usually replaced as a section, or the door is replaced. A warped door that no longer seals or runs straight is, in Creative Door's words, one that needs to be replaced. A section swap also changes the door's weight, so the spring balance should be checked afterward. See spring repair and repair or replace a damaged section.
How often to refinish
DASMA says to inspect, clean and maintain a wood door every 12 to 18 months, or as the manufacturer specifies, and it says to finish all six sides of a new wood door before installation. Overhead Door says to reseal or repaint every 2 to 5 years, and every 2 to 3 years for a topcoat in heavy sun. Finishing a door after it is installed can void the manufacturer's warranty, so check the warranty first.
When a new door makes more sense
If more than one section is rotted, the door is warped or the bottom is failing again, replacement is usually the better value. Our approved price range for a real wood door is $3,500 to $9,000 and up, and a wood-look composite carriage house door is $2,800 to $5,500, with the final price confirmed after we see the door. Real wood is heavier, so a heavy door may need heavy-duty springs, which are $350 to $900. See new garage doors.
Get it checked
Emil Garage Doors repairs and installs wood, composite and steel garage doors across Southern California, including in Fullerton and Escondido. We also have a page for Galt. Call (213) 340-4232 or use the estimate form on this page and tell us where the wood is soft.
Questions people ask
How do I know if my wood garage door is rotting?
Probe the bottom and the edges with a screwdriver. If it pierces the wood, the door could be rotting. Soft or crumbling wood near the hinges is also a warning sign.
Can a warped wood garage door be fixed?
Creative Door says a warped door needs to be replaced. A single warped section can sometimes be swapped, and a technician can tell you which.
How often should a wood garage door be refinished?
DASMA says to inspect and maintain a wood door every 12 to 18 months. Overhead Door says to reseal or repaint every 2 to 5 years, sooner in heavy sun.
Is a wood-look composite door a good alternative?
It looks like wood with less upkeep. Our range for a carriage house composite door is $2,800 to $5,500, and the final price is confirmed after we see the door.
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