How long does a wood exterior door last?

You can expect a wood exterior door to last 30 to 70+ years, with an average of 50 years. The are three factors that affect door longevity:

1) Weather exposure - A door under only a small roof overhang above it that is exposed to direct sun and driving rain will have a shorter life than one recessed on a deep entry porch, like the door shown above.

2) Type of wood - Hardwoods last longer. So pine will be at the lower end of the age range and mahogany at the upper end.

3) Paint or other sealer coating - Maintaining a protective coating on the door will extend its life.

    Also, drywood termites can infest and destroy a wood door in areas like Florida where they are prevalent. Here’s a bar graph that compares the life expectancy of a wood exterior door to other types of residential doors.
   Go to our blog post What is the average lifespan of the parts of a house? for rating of other house components. To understand the basis, potential use, and limitations of lifespan ratings, see How accurate are the average life expectancy ratings of home components? Are they actually useful?   

  To learn more about doors and windows, see these other blog posts:

• Is every exterior door of a house required to have a landing outside? 

• What is the raised metal plate on the floor under the garage door?

• Why do I have to hold down the button to close the garage door? 

• Why is the garage door track a white tube? 

• How can I tell if a window or glass door is safety glass? 

• What are the code requirements for safety tempered glass for doors?• 

• Should a front door swing in or out? 

• How many exit doors are required for a house?

• How many exit doors are required for a mobile/manufactured home? 

• Can a bedroom door open into the garage?

• What are the building code requirements for a door from the garage to the house?

• What is "low-E" window glass? 

• What does ANSI 297.1 on glass mean?

• Why is a double cylinder deadbolt lock on an exterior door a safety hazard? 

• How can I check my garage door to make sure it is safe?  

• Does a home inspector test all the windows and doors in a home? 

• How difficult is it to change a window to french doors or a sliding glass door?

• How do you determine if a door is left-handed or right-handed?

• Why are window security bars dangerous? 

• What is the tempered label on glass at windows and sliding glass doors called?

• Why is pressure washing double pane windows an expensive mistake? 

• How can I tell if a window or sliding glass door is double or triple pane (insulated) glass?

• Do I need to have two exterior exit doors in my house? 

• When is safety glass required for windows at stairs and stair landings?

   Visit our DOORS AND WINDOWS and LIFE EXPECTANCY pages for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles. 

NOTE: These life expectancies are based on data provided by InterNACHI, NAHB, FannieMae, and our own professional experience. Because of the numerous variables that can affect a lifespan, they should be used as rough guidelines only, and not relied upon as a warranty or guarantee of future performance.