1. Inspect your doors and packaging

It seems obvious but check your doors on delivery! You know they are ready for treating and fitting straight away. Your doors, especially the corners should be well protected so keep them sealed until you intend to use them.

The packaging will prevent moisture from the air penetrating any untreated timber, particularly important if your doors will be sat for a period of time.  Leaving your doors exposed to moisture causes water to be sealed into the wood and can cause swelling and warping as the doors dry out.

Store internal doors flat on a dry surface to avoid warping and absorbing moisture.

Storing your new internal doors.

A common mistake often made when storing new doors is standing them up against a wall so they take up less room.  Solid doors are heavy and their weight should be taken across their structure entirely vertically or horizontally. Leaning a door against a wall whilst in storage causes it to bend slightly. 

If it is necessary to store you new doors before treating and fitting, keep them flat on a dry floor. Untreated internal oak doors must be stored in a dry room free from any moisture and damp. Avoid storing them in recently plastered rooms because as the moisture leaves the walls it is absorbed into any contents within it.

Most interior doors are supplied unfinished so you can choose the perfect finish to suit your home. This does make them susceptible to moisture absorption so take care of your doors before being treated and fitted.

How to treat your internal doors.

Treating your internal doors yourself gives you the opportunity to match them with existing decor and fit in with the style of your home.  The door could be painted, but if you have spent a small fortune on solid wooden doors you may want to show off their natural beauty.

Bromsgrove door fitters, A & T Carpentry suggest using a hardwax oil as it provides a very durable and smooth finish to your doors. The Treatex range is excellent and offers a stunning finish as well as being very effective at keeping moisture out and providing long term protection.

DIY Internal Door Treatment

1. Make sure you are working in very well ventilated area both before and after treating your doors.
2. If you are treating a glazed internal door be sure to mask off any glazed panels with masking tape.
3. Remove or mask off any door furniture such has handles and locks.
4. Many doors are supplied pre-sanded but you may want to buff over any uneven areas  caused by preparing the wood for hinges and handles.
5. Thoroughly wipe away any dust using a micro fiber cloth before using a damp, lint free cloth to remove any remaining dust.
6. Make absolutely sure that the door you are about to treat is clean. It must be dry and entirely free of any dampness or moisture to avoid sealing it into the wood.
7. We recommend that you use a high quality  Treatex or Osmo internal oil to protect  your internal doors.
8. Stir the oil thoroughly before use and using a dry, clean, flat brush and apply it evenly following the direction of the wood grain.
9. Avoid applying oil in temperatures less than 5 degrees celsius as  it wont dry and be absorbed. Also avoid blazing sunlight as the timber will be prevented from absorbing the oil as it dries too quickly.
10. The drying time is dependent on the product you choose of course. For example, a coat of Treatex  clear satin oil will take approximately 8-10 hours to dry.  Treatex medium oak is quick drying and allows for two coats within 3-6 hours.
11. The number of coats required is dependent on the manufacturer’s instructions.  It will vary depending on the product and the finished required.
12. Treat internal doors thoroughly and seal inside any lock cut outs and behind hinges. Don’t forget the sides, top and bottom also to ensure the door is well protected.
13. Very lightly rub down any uneven areas with wire wool after the first coat has been applied to the door and has dried. You can then apply another coat if necessary.

Once you have treated your doors read our guide to fitting your internal doors after treating them if you need 

Are you ready to get started on replacing your internal doors? Get a free quote from  the Midlands leading carpenters. Click below.