Restoring wooden doors may be required not only if you want to save money by not buying new ones. But also when they are of historical, architectural or simply family value. Also, old doors and, accordingly, openings are of non-standard sizes, so new ones need to be made to order, which seriously increases costs. It doesn’t matter what reason prompted you to think about the possibility of repairing the door, returning it to its former appearance, or vice versa – changing it beyond recognition, fitting it into the updated interior. What matters is how to do it.
Doors before and after restoration Source fondvnimanie.ru
Where to begin
You should start with a careful inspection and study of damage not only to the door leaf, but also to the frame, hinges, locks and other fittings. To do this, the canvas is removed from its hinges, and all fittings are dismantled. Even if it does not require repair, it will interfere with restoration efforts.
The main defects that force you to think about how to restore interior wooden doors are:
- changes in geometric parameters, due to which the deformed canvas does not fit into the box or does not close tightly;
- drying out, loosening of connections between paneled door elements;
- the appearance of dents, chips and scratches on the wood, through holes from old fittings;
- fading or peeling of the paintwork, indelible stains on it;
- tearing off hinges and handles, breaking locks and other malfunctions of door hardware.
This requires repairing not only the door itself, but also the frame with platbands Source takprosto.cc
After this, you can evaluate the upcoming scope of work and decide on the tools and materials that will be required for the work.
Care Tips
In order for a veneered door leaf to last as long as possible and look like new, it must be properly looked after. It is forbidden to clean the veneer with abrasive materials, otherwise small scratches will remain on the coating and it will quickly lose its gloss. It is not advisable to install veneered doors in such a way that direct sunlight always falls on them. This will cause the cladding to fade; veneered doors will have to be updated quite often: apply varnish or paint.
It is allowed to wipe the veneer with a damp cloth, but it must be thoroughly wrung out. Literally washing with water; using the structure at high levels of humidity is prohibited. You also need to be careful when washing the floors, because the bottom of the door frame and sash will suffer from this.
From time to time, to add gloss, it is worth carefully polishing the structure (for example, with polish) on a wax basis. It repels dust and hides minor damage.
Veneered doors, if properly cared for, will last for decades. Only in this case they cannot protect themselves from minor scratches and defects. Therefore, it is necessary to have an idea of how to reconstruct a veneered door with your own hands. This can be easily accomplished using available materials and basic tools.
Primary repair methods
Depending on the identified defects, they choose a method to update the old door.
Restoring dimensions
It is easier to return solid wood door panels to their original dimensions than any other. If they are swollen and do not fit into the box, the excess is simply trimmed off with a plane according to pre-made markings. This is also done when the box is skewed as a result of shrinkage of the house, when it is undesirable to dismantle it.
If the situation is the opposite, the canvas can be extended by gluing or screwing it with self-tapping screws onto the ends of the strips of the required thickness.
Another solution to the problem is to replace the box and adjust the canvas to it. Source hammer-shop.ru
Removing paintwork
Before restoring an old door covered with paint or varnish, the old coating must be completely removed, exposing the wood. It is almost impossible to do this with hand tools, especially if there are threads, panels and other reliefs on the surface. Therefore, one of the following methods is used.
- Mechanical cleaning using power tools – grinders, grinders with special attachments.
The cleaned surface is brought to perfection by hand with sandpaper Source kot-pes.com
- Thermal cleaning using a hair dryer or gas torch, under the influence of which the old coating softens and is easily removed with a spatula.
Removing paint using a hair dryer Source kraski-net.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in finishing materials and related work
- Chemical cleaning using chemical reagents that soften and corrode the coating, which is also removed with a spatula and rough rags.
Advice! Wood is very sensitive to high temperatures and aggressive substances, so the last two methods of updating varnished wooden doors must be used with caution.
Elimination of mechanical defects
Under the removed layer of paint, wood defects are almost always discovered. Before removing them, the surface is ground, getting rid of burrs, the most persistent areas of the old coating and leveling it. For initial processing, choose coarse-grained sandpaper, and for final processing, fine-grained sandpaper. After finishing the work, remove the resulting dust with a vacuum cleaner and a slightly damp cloth.
Flat surfaces are polished with a power tool, embossed surfaces are sanded manually Source prntr.com
Remaining chips, cracks and scratches must be repaired. The choice of material for restoring a wooden door depends on the size and depth of the defects. But first, the cleaned, sanded and dust-free surface is degreased with white spirit.
- To fill large cracks, knot holes, chips and gouges, it is best to prepare a homemade putty by mixing small sawdust or wood dust with wood glue, PVA glue or clear varnish.
- Small defects are repaired with the same compound or store-bought wood putty and filled with hot wax.
- Shallow scratches can be masked with a wax pencil of a suitable shade.
Note! Homemade putty shrinks when it dries, so potholes need to be filled several times.
To fill the cracked cracks between the panels, another mixture is more suitable - PVA glue and chalk.
After the repair mixture has completely dried, its excess is rubbed with fine sandpaper until smooth, the dust is wiped off and the surface is again degreased with a solvent.
Subtleties of the process
Old or damaged interior doors are subject to restoration. The cause of mechanical damage can be, for example, a fire. High humidity can also negatively affect wooden panels. Mechanical damage often occurs after opening the doors using improvised tools. When restoring a product, it may involve replacing the door leaf, updating the door jambs, painting or tinting the surface.
To restore functionality, it is often necessary to update the fittings or locks. In case of minor damage to interior doors, restoration work can be done with your own hands.
It is better to entrust the repair of original doors to a specialist in this field. The work should also be left to a professional if the restoration requires replacing the door frame or repairing the entire door frame.
For your information, some advantages and features of restoration of interior doors are presented:
- It is more profitable to repair doors made of solid wood, bringing them into proper and working condition, rather than spending your budget on a new product.
- They update an old door when changing the interior style of the house. The procedure is carried out even when the canvas is still in excellent condition and does not yet need to be replaced.
- Restoration of old wooden structures is carried out when the door leaf and door frame are handmade and have a unique ornament and texture.
- Decorating the surface of the doors with your own hands will allow you to create a unique product that will harmoniously decorate the entire interior.
- An interior door must be repaired when replacing the door may compromise the integrity of the opening or wall cladding.
- Due to the non-standard size of the old door, it is better to carry out restoration work than to carry out a labor-intensive replacement of the product.
- Restoration is convenient, since replacing a product is often accompanied by replacing the entire door frame. This procedure will definitely create the need to seal the resulting cracks, plastering and gluing wallpaper around the doorway.
To work independently you will need a lot of free time. Step-by-step implementation of all procedures will be the key to successful restoration of the door leaf.
The successful use of techniques for restoring a product, first of all, depends on the characteristics and properties of the door leaf material.
Video description
If you are wondering whether it is possible to restore interior doors that are over a hundred years old, watch this video:
Restoring cracked panel doors
If the panels dangle in the grooves of the main planks, the canvas will have to be disassembled and reassembled and glued.
The panels are held in place by a tongue and groove joint lubricated with glue, and are sometimes tightened with dowels or self-tapping screws, the caps of which are closed with wooden plugs. To restore the integrity of the door, you need to do the following:
- The removed canvas is placed on the edge, the plugs are removed and the screws are unscrewed;
- separate the frame elements and inserts;
How to properly care for a veneer door?
If the process of caring for an interior door is correct, then it will not lose its original appearance for a long time, and its performance will not deteriorate. Do not use substances with active chemicals to care for the surface of such structures, as they will leave scratches.
Attention! In order not to spoil the material, pay attention to special products that are available on the market in a wide range. They are used to remove dust or other contaminants from the surface.
Video description
How to disassemble the paneled fabric, watch the video:
- grooves and tenons are cleaned of old glue and putty, the remains are sucked out with a vacuum cleaner;
- if necessary, remove paint and polish each part - it’s easier to do this separately than on the whole canvas;
- insert the panels into place, lubricating all locking joints with wood glue;
- the assembled canvas is compressed with clamps and left until the glue dries;
- insert dowels into the holes.
Assembly of paneled fabric Source mdveri56.rf
Restoring the door frame
Since the canvas is kept in a box, it is impossible to repair wooden doors in an apartment, forgetting about the latter. You need to perform the same manipulations with the box as with the door. First, remove paint and varnish materials, then level the surface. Next, we mask the chips, cracks and scratches, after which we cover the product with the same final finish as the canvas.
Decoration
You can update interior doors in a variety of ways. the most common ones are described below.
Painting
To ensure that the paint lays on the wood in an even layer and hides traces of putty, the canvas is primed before painting. This is not done only when the door is treated with varnish, stain or tinted impregnation. But then, when repairing defects, it is necessary to use putty matched to the tone of the wood.
Paint the door leaf in at least two layers, using the appropriate paint - only weather-resistant paints and varnishes are suitable for entrance doors.
To obtain differently colored areas, the borders are covered with masking tape before painting.
Original two-tone door Source alexfitchdesign.com
Veneering
A great way to restore wooden doors with a flat surface is to cover them with veneer. Before this, the canvas must be especially carefully sanded and degreased. Then both it and the back surface of the veneer are smeared with glue, the veneer is carefully applied and they begin to smooth it with a wooden block, pressing it tightly to the surface and not missing a single centimeter.
Gluing veneer Source sdelai-lestnicu.ru
Overlay facades
Now there are overlay facades made of MDF on sale, with which you can hide even very serious defects. Gluing them is a complex process, as it requires the use of a press over the entire area of the door leaf. Therefore, at home they are often screwed on with self-tapping screws.
Decoration options for overlay facades Source technogrupp.ru
Instead of ready-made overlays, you can update a wooden door with veneered plywood, laminate or wooden lining. After installation, the latter is painted or coated with varnish or stain.
Conclusion
Restoring a wooden door with your own hands is a troublesome task, but the result is worth it, because for such work the craftsmen charge at least half the cost of a new door. The video in this article contains examples of various restoration works. Together with the instructions described above, you can update your wooden doors yourself.
Wooden doors before and after restoration.
Video description
One of the options for decorating a door with wallpaper can be seen in this video:
An effective solution can be to use special door wallpaper, if you match it to the style, color and design intent of the interior.
Door decor with photo wallpaper Source dekormyhome.ru
When choosing what to cover interior doors with, don’t forget about self-adhesive films. They are more practical than paper wallpaper, as they can be washed.
other methods
If the defects on the doors are minor, they can be disguised using several decorative techniques that do not require large expenses or superpowers.
- Stencil.
You can use ready-made stencils or print the ones you like from the Internet, transfer them to thick cardboard and cut them out. They are glued with tape to the door in the chosen place and the paint is applied with a sponge or foam swab.
- Stickers.
Paper or vinyl decorative stickers with adhesive backing are an original way to restore an old door. You can hide small cracks, scratches, and stains under them. This can be a temporary solution or a way to periodically change the mood of the room by removing some stickers and putting on others.
Stickers on the door to the children's room Source alicdn.com
- Decoupage.
Colored napkins, pieces of thin fabric, music notes and even newspapers are an interesting option for decorating doors using the decoupage technique. They are glued with PVA glue, if desired, they are drawn or details are added, and then the created composition is coated with varnish.
How to extend the life of the coating?
To ensure that veneer doors last longer and remain like new, they must be properly cared for. Veneer should not be cleaned with abrasive compounds, otherwise micro-scratches will remain on the surface and it will quickly lose its shine. It is not recommended to install veneered doors so that they are constantly exposed to direct sunlight. This will cause the coating to fade; veneer doors will need to be renewed quite often: varnished or painted.
You can wipe the veneer with a damp cloth, but it must be wrung out well. This material cannot be literally washed with water or used in high humidity conditions. You also need to be careful when washing floors, since this can cause damage to the lower part of the sash and frame. Periodically, to add shine, it is good to polish the structure with wax-based products (polishes). They repel dust and mask minimal defects.
Veneered doors, if properly cared for, will last for a decade. But even in this case, minor scratches and damage cannot be avoided. Therefore, you need to know how to update a veneer door with your own hands. This is easy to do with inexpensive materials and simple tools.
Updating the opening and slopes
The doorway may also have an old, unpresentable appearance; after updating the door, it will inevitably have to be brought to the appropriate appearance. First, you need to treat the support guides: for example, paint them in the color of the canvas or apply stain or varnish. If they are very worn, you will have to install plasterboard structures on them and only then paint them.
To install the platbands, special clamps are used; they can also be attached with self-tapping screws. MDF strips are usually used for finishing slopes. It is allowed to use drywall, which is fixed with glue or perforated corners.
A more labor-intensive process is plastering slopes or installing perlite platbands, which are expensive, but give the most durable results. The restoration of the slopes and opening must be given close attention, otherwise the repair of the door itself will be incomplete.
DIY old door decor - photo
This is not a complete list of options that you can implement yourself. Don’t be afraid of experiments and imagination, because the old door has nothing to lose in any case. And we offer you even more photo ideas for inspiration!
Photo: waysi.ru
Photo: dekormyhome.ru
Photo: evrookna-mos.ru
Photo: mykaleidoscope.ru
Photo: artlook.cz
Photo: odstroy.ru
Photo: vsykosmetika.ru
Photo: domoholic.ru
Photo: instagram.com
Photo: manoletebcn.com
Photo: happymodern.ru
Photo: zen.yandex.ru
Photo: skillofking.com
Photo: podelki.org
Photo: runtedrun.com
Photo: homelikeyou.ru
Photo: sissyfeida.com
Photo: decorinspiratior.com
Photo: acnnhome.com
Photo: homelikeyou.ru
Painting
The easiest way to refresh a door with minimal changes to the design of your apartment is to repaint it a new color. Choose a solid color fill if you prefer minimalism, or highlight individual parts if you like more complex artistic solutions.
In small classic rooms, light doors look good, but in laconic monochrome minimalism it can be turned into an independent accent. To do this, choose rich red, yellow, green and blue shades.
Acrylic paint is best: it is easy to work with, it is environmentally friendly, odorless, suitable for indoors and harmless to health. This is especially important when it comes to doors to a bedroom or children's room.
Photo: sauna-pod-klyuch.ru
Before painting, prepare the base, because the paint applies in a thin layer and does not hide defects. Sand and prime the surface, seal strong chips and cracks with special sealants. It is recommended to apply the paint in even stripes from top to bottom or from left to right.
If the door is textured, first paint the inserts, then the central strips, and only then the sides. And to keep the coating fresh for a long time, cover the paint with a layer of glossy or matte varnish.
Another simple painting technique is to splash paint over the surface in random spots. This decoration immediately creates a creative atmosphere in the room of an art workshop. Hard brushes, toothbrushes and even toothpicks are suitable for spraying.
Photo: grassfire.org
Mosaic
Mosaics for interior decoration are good for their uniqueness and aesthetics with ease of execution. Instead of buying a ready-made drawing, you can post a whimsical abstraction yourself. And no one else will have such doors anywhere else.
To create a mosaic, glass, ceramics, small tiles, acrylic, pebbles and shells, and any other little things are used. The main thing is to draw a sketch in advance and think over the location of all the details, because even chaotic ornaments will be neat and harmonious only if you think about them in advance.
Photo: artelle-doors.ru
Molding
To make the simplest and most budget door luxurious and elegant enough for classic interiors, use molding. These are ready-made elements that imitate stucco molding, bas-reliefs and other decorative inserts.
The simplest molding is made of polyurethane or foam, so it can simply be glued or mounted on liquid nails. And to make a beautiful aged door, be sure to paint it over the top and use contrasting colors or gilding for details.
Photo: evrookna-mos.ru
Stained glass
Stained glass has been a classic decor for windows and doors since ancient times. This technique was used in temples, palaces and rich houses - only the subtlety of execution differed. Now there are three main options: order an individual stained glass window according to your sketch, purchase a ready-made insert, or paint the glass yourself.
Translucent acrylic paints on glass are used to apply the design. You will also need to create an outline - the illusion of metal inserts connecting the elements. But don’t paint directly on the door, because the glass should lie horizontally, otherwise the paint will flow off the surface.
Photo: legkovmeste.ru
10 best ideas on how to decorate a room for the New Year
Mirror
Mirror inserts in doors are one of the most functional ways of decoration. This is a good choice for small rooms, because reflective surfaces visually add volume to the room. At the same time, such a door can replace a separate wall mirror or a mirror panel in a wardrobe.
Ready-made decorative mirrors are difficult to use to decorate a door, so reflective acrylic panels are useful in this case. Their advantages are ease of processing and variety of colors. If you still have fragments of old mirrors, you can use them too - make a mosaic out of them.
Photo: nonovinkimebeli.ru
