Door FAQs

1. How should I clean my wood door?

Dusting with a dust cloth, as with furniture, is the most important step in maintaining the finish. Dust collection on the surface, particularly the exterior, absorbs and holds moisture on humid days and damp evenings. After dusting, you may wish to apply a furniture polish, but be sure to remove all excess polish and wipe dry. Do not wash with water or use heavy waxes.

2. Can I purchase a custom door?

Yes. JELD-WEN IWP® offers handcrafted fine wood doors. Built for entryways, IWP® doors are an elegant solution for your home. Lead time is three to six weeks.

3. What wood species are available for wood stile and rail doors?

Wood species available for stile and rail doors include oak, ponderosa and western pine, Douglas fir, hemlock, maple, mahogany and cherry.

4. Are 8-foot doors hard to find?

No, JELD-WEN makes 8-foot doors for various applications.

5.   What kinds of homes have 8-foot doors?

Purchase of 8-foot doors is regionally driven. For example, 8-foot doors are very common in Arizona for both interior and exterior uses. Most often homes with vaulted ceilings have 8-foot doors; and homes that sell for above $300,000 are more likely to have them.

6. Do doors have energy performance ratings?

The National Fenestration Ratings Council (NFRC) publishes the U-values for certified doors.

7. What is the best way to ensure that my new door will last?

The most important thing to do when you purchase a door is to finish all six sides. If all six sides are not finished after purchasing, the warranty is voided. This is the primary problem that contributes to the wear and tear on a door. The most often skipped areas are the top and bottom, and they are actually more important to finish than the other four sides. This is because moisture is going to hit that raw wood surface and affect the door, creating grooves in the wood.

8.   Where should I install a fire door in my home?

Fire doors are most often used between the house and the garage. Typically a 20-minute fire door is fine for a home application. Check to comply with local building codes.

9. What is the order of steel doors, from lowest to highest quality?

1. 25-gauge door: used as a utility door, front door, etc., but not for a fire-retarding door; the stiles are made of wood.
2. 24-gauge energy-saver door: a 20-minute fire door with the stiles made of wood. 
3. Steel-edge instead of a wood edge: a 90-minute fire door with the stiles made of steel.

10.  What does the gauge measurement mean in steel doors?

Gauge is the thickness of the steel. Steel doors are cut from large rolls.