Wooden doors bring warmth, charm, and timeless beauty to any space. Whether it’s your main entrance, bedroom door, or balcony shutter, using quality plywood like Altwood’s flush doors is a great start. But long-lasting performance comes from smart upkeep.
Let’s unpack why doors warp or crack—and how you can prevent it with simple maintenance.
Wood reacts to changes in moisture and temperature, leading to:
Warping: bending or twisting out of shape
Cracking: surface splits from dryness or stress
According to research, this movement stems from uneven moisture absorption in wood fibers. Warping can take shapes like bow, cup, or twist depending on shrinkage and structure (Wikipedia).
A high-quality door from Altwood—such as our flush doors with alternate plywood or red core plywood—provides built-in stability and moisture resistance. If you need extra reinforcement in high-humidity regions like Odisha or Jharkhand, ask about block board backing for doors.
Unsealed edges are magnets for moisture. Apply at least two coats of polyurethane or varnish sealant to all edges—including top and bottom—to prevent warping (metrosealant, PRODYOGI). External experts reaffirm that even black doors absorb more heat and warp easily without proper sealing (The Scottish Sun).
Fluctuations in humidity make wood swell or shrink. To protect your doors:
Maintain balanced indoor humidity—use dehumidifiers in damp seasons
Improve ventilation, avoid direct heat, and keep rooms cool during heavy rains (The Spruce, The Times of India)
Store new doors in the room they’ll be installed in for at least 36 hours to acclimatize (PRODYOGI)
Faulty fittings cause doors to sag or stress. Ensure:
Use quality hinges and align them accurately
Install the door into a level, stable frame
If needed, incorporate internal horizontal battens or reinforcements to minimize bending over time (Reddit, woodendoorfactory.com)
Keep your doors radiant and protected:
Dust with a microfiber cloth
Wipe clean with a damp cloth and mild soap
Apply polish or oil occasionally to retain moisture and sheen
Try a quick vapor-side touch-up—concave warps often fix by lightly wetting the inner curve, then letting it dry slowly (YouTube).
Storing your doors flat in a cool, dry place avoids distortion:
Do NOT store vertically—this invites bending over time
Stack multiple doors flat, separated by spacers for airflow (BPM SUPPLIES)
Avoid sunlight, radiators, or any moisture source near stored doors
Tracking moisture helps prevent early damage. Maintaining stable wood moisture content minimizes warping and cracking risks (woodworkshed.com).
Caring for wooden doors doesn’t need to be hard. With Altwood’s premium plywood-based doors and these maintenance practices, your doors stay beautiful and stable for years.
Need help selecting the right material for your climate? Contact us to explore our flush doors, block board, and red core plywood options—serving homes across Asansol, Ranchi, Odisha, and the North East.
Choose Altwood—for doors that stay perfectly flat, beautiful, and durable.