When we look for woods for exterior doors, we refer to those naturally suitable for being outdoors. Humidity, fungi, insects, or even the sun affect them to a lesser extent.
These are especially demanding for use as decking, wall cladding, frame fabrication, and even furniture. In these uses, consumers look for additional benefits, such as resistance to blows, humidity, and/or insects.
These outdoor wooden floors create terraces, patios, pool environments, and external doors. They can also make other wooden structures outdoors, such as pergolas, porches, or decks.
Although these woods present a natural resistance, it never hurts to apply protective treatments. Not only are they necessary with them, but wood sellers also ensure a very long life for these woods for the outdoors.
5 species of wood for exterior doors
Teak wood – This wood has its origin in Indonesia and originally has a golden color that gradually turns silver. It has privileged resistance qualities that make it ideal for all kinds of outdoor work: external doors, pallets, outdoor furniture, or even the manufacture of boats.
Unlike other wood species, teak produces natural oil that reduces the need for protection and sealing products.
Iroko wood – Known as “African Teak,” Iroko wood is native to Africa and has a yellowish color that quickly darkens to a nice, rich brown. It is also used for many jobs, especially: platforms, countertops, boats, and even musical instruments.
It is not particularly affected by insects and fungi. It is also used in making external doors.
Cumaru wood – In this case, it is known as the “Brazilian Teak.” It has its origin in South America and starts with a color between yellow and red that, little by little, is acquiring silver tones.
Cumaru wood has great properties for use in the manufacture of external doors, internal doors, boats.
Its behavior against fire is truly exceptional, similar to that of steel or concrete. Like the previous types of wood, it is very resistant to insects and humidity, so it is also used on many occasions to manufacture exterior decking and doors.
Ipé wood – Ipé wood is native to South America and has a dark olive-brown color that darkened even more. It is a well-known and in-demand wood for exterior decking, given its enormous resistance and durability in humid environments and against insects.
It also has good behavior against fire, given its high density. It is not a simple kind of wood to work with and produces intense wear on tools and machinery. It is because it is tough and dense, much more than most.
Cedarwood – In this case, it is a relatively light wood suitable for exterior doors. There are several subspecies, and it is abundant. It has a characteristic reddish color and is lighter than the previous ones. What gives cedar wood the ability to be used outdoors and be resistant to moisture and insects is its resin.
Treatments to obtain wood for exterior doors
We do not necessarily have to resort to species that have natural resistance. It is possible to use other types of wood for exteriors if we apply any modification or treatment that enables them to do so.
Autoclave – It consists of drying the wood in vacuum tubes and applying copper salts that coat the wood cells and protect them.
Heat-treated wood – In the absence of oxygen, heat is applied to the wood, almost to the point of combustion. This alters the chemical composition of the wood and its properties.
Carbonization – It is a traditional Japanese technique of preparing wood for the outdoors. It consists of burning the surface layer, a few millimeters, and then cleaning with water and brushing to remove part of what has been charred.
The wood is left with a dark grayish tone. A posteriori application of some wax or resin is necessary.
Acetylated Wood – It is one of the most avant-garde methods. It maintains many of the natural properties of wood, and at the same time, alters the wood’s ability to absorb water. This process considerably improves its durability and stability.
These methods are usually applied to a greater extent on relatively low cost and abundant woods to obtain cheap outdoor woods.