Spent $200 on a fancy front door and it warped in 4 months

I figured spending more meant better quality, so I dropped $200 on a solid wood door from a local lumber yard. After 4 months of summer sun, the bottom corner started bowing out and now it doesn't seal right. Found out later I should have gone with a fiberglass or engineered wood door for our climate here in Phoenix. Has anyone else had a door warp on them that fast?

3 comments

3 Comments

seanlee23d ago

Yeah the "expensive means better" thing bit me too with a door in Tucson. Solid wood just can't handle the constant dry heat and UV. You basically watched it cook for four months. For Phoenix you really want fiberglass or steel with a good thermal break. Even engineered wood will struggle there. I'd return it if the lumber yard has any kind of warranty, some of them will work with you if the door wasn't rated for your climate. Otherwise just accept the lesson and go with a composite door.

claire_ramirez13d ago

Honestly though, a properly built wood door with good sealants can still handle Phoenix if you're on top of maintenance. People act like fiberglass is the only option but a lot of that stuff fades and gets brittle after a few summers too. I've seen solid wood doors hold up fine for years when they're installed with the right clearance and painted with UV resistant stuff.

angela_grant23d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah wood doors in Phoenix might as well be kindling waiting to warp. That dry heat just sucks the moisture right out and the wood has nowhere to go but twist. Stick with fiberglass and you will actually get your money's worth.