General Maintenance Tips for Therma Tru Doors

BY FABRICIO DE ARAUJO

Therma Tru doors are excellent additions to your home. Aside from increasing value and curb appeal, they provide energy efficiency, beauty, and durability. But just like the usual windows and other components of your home, your Therma Tru doors may need some maintenance every now and then.

At least once a year, you need to check your doors and associated components for any signs of wear and tear. In this blog, we will give you a few tips on how to properly maintain Therma Tru door systems.

1. Vinyl Threshold

Once your vinyl threshold no longer performs efficiently, you will need to replace it. Signs of a failing vinyl threshold include splitting and cracking. Simply take out your existing threshold and replace it.

2. Stains and Clearcoats

Weathering and exposure from the sun, air pollutants, and moisture can have a negative impact on the exterior finish of your Therma Tru doors.

To keep the stained surface of your door slabs protected, you need to apply a maintenance topcoat. Always reapply fresh topcoat before the current topcoat fails. Clean the area first using any household detergent and water. Then, you need to rinse and allow it to dry. Reapply a new topcoat at least every 3 to 5 years once the gloss starts fading.

3. Sill Gaskets and Door Bottom

Signs of a failing door bottom gasket include cracking, pulling away from door slab, and splitting, among other things. If you see these signs, your door bottom should be replaced with a new one.

In the event that the outswing sills start malfunctioning, a replacement is required. Just pull your current gasket out and replace it so your sill continues working optimally.

4. Refinishing

Make sure the surface is clean before refinishing. Select a standard paint stripper; the stain and topcoat are easily removed using methylene chloride-based substances. Take note that some products may be harmful to fiberglass doors, however, so always check the label.

Use the stripper on door lite frames first before moving on to the raised panel inserts. Let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes before removing it. Wash off the stripper residue and make sure the door is fully clean and dry before refinishing.

It goes without saying that you need to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using paint stripper to avoid damaging your Therma Tru doors.

5. Weatherstrip Replacement

As the weatherstripping gets older, it will show signs of wear like cracking, tearing, and not sealing. This means you need to replace it right away. You can do this by getting rid of the existing weatherstripping and replacing it with a brand new one.

6. Risers

Risers for the door’s adjustable sill may split and crack over time. If you notice signs of damage, replace it ASAP. This can be done by removing the existing riser and getting a new one.

By conducting annual maintenance of Therma Tru doors, you can minimize unnecessary expenses all year round. It also gives you peace of mind knowing your door is in excellent working condition throughout the year. Simple preventative maintenance, such as replacing the weatherstrip, can go a long way if you want to prevent serious damage and wear in the future.