Wood is a beautiful, elegant, insulating door frame material that can add curb appeal to any entryway. But unfortunately, despite its lovely appearance, wood is prone to its fair share of problems, like pest infestation, moisture damage, and perhaps worst of all—wood rot.

Wood rot is unpleasant to look at, but it also can lead to severe consequences when left unchecked, such as high energy bills, structural deterioration, and difficulty opening and closing your door. Let's look at the signs of wood rot so you can spot them before they escalate into more costly problems.

5 Common Signs of Door Frame Wood Rot

Wood rot occurs when your door frame is exposed to moisture, leading to mold, mildew, and fungus growth. When left unchecked, the fungi reproduce and feed on your wooden door frame, leading to wood rot.

Discoloration

Whether your door is a lovely, neutral shade or a bright, bold red If you notice any discoloration, this is usually a sign of mold growth or water damage, which is never a good sign.

Mold, mildew, and fungus growth lead to wood rot, so if your door hasn't already rotted—it will soon. If you notice any discoloration toward the bottom of your door and frame, this is usually caused by water damage, which can later lead to rotting.

Crumbling Wood

Does the frame appear distorted or deformed when you look at your door? Sometimes, a quick glance at your door is all you need to determine whether the frame is rotting.

Other times, you may need to press on the wood gently with a screwdriver. Is it soft, pliable, or crumbly? If so, these are signs of wood rot. Wood should be solid and sturdy. If it's not, you're likely dealing with moisture damage and rotting.

Functional Issues

Is your door a pain to operate? It shouldn't be. If you have to yank your door open or shove it closed, this may signify the door frame is rotting. Wood rot causes your door frame to swell and warp, which can cause the door to sit unevenly in the frame, making it difficult to use.

Unfortunately, uneven door frames aren't just annoying. When your door is difficult to open and close, it is also less secure, which makes your home more vulnerable to burglaries. You should address rotted doors immediately to keep you and your family safe.

Uncomfortable Drafts

Has your home been unusually chilly in the winter or stifling hot in the summer? If so, your rotted door frame may be to blame. When your frame rots, it may create gaps between your door and the frame, inviting outdoor breezes into your home.

Drafts are uncomfortable, but they can also cause your energy bills to skyrocket, which may result in you spending hundreds of unnecessary dollars to keep your home at a consistent temperature year-round.

Flaking Paint

Usually, the paint on your door frame will begin peeling, cracking, or flaking when it is hiding moisture damage.

Often, moisture damage leads to mold growth, which leads to rotting, so if you notice deteriorating paint on your door frame, wood rot may not be far behind.

I've Noticed One (or More) of These Problems—What Should I Do Now?

If your door frame is suffering from wood rot, acting quickly to ensure your home doesn't experience more severe structural damage is of the utmost importance.

Unfortunately, wood rot typically comes from a moisture problem, so you must identify the source of the water leak (and stop it!), so it doesn't return. When North Georgia Replacement Windows replaces your door, there will not be any water leaks from the door unit, and it's covered by their Lifetime Service Warranty.

Enhance Your Entryway & Remove Wood Rot with North Georgia Replacement Windows

Rotted door frames are a hassle to deal with, but fortunately, North Georgia Replacement Windows makes it easy to replace your damaged frame with a beautiful, durable alternative.

We offer gorgeous steel, fiberglass, and wrought iron doors to enhance your entryway with beauty, strength, and energy efficiency. Plus, these materials won't suffer from moisture damage or fungus growth, so you'll never have to deal with wood rot again!

Learn more about our versatile entry door options to discover the customizability and durability our products offer for Georgia homeowners.