Anytime homeowners decide to put something made of metal in an outdoor environment, there is always the worry that it will rust.
A wrought iron front door we inevitably be exposed to a lot of moisture and humidity from rain, snow, wind, and other harsh weather elements. However, your wrought iron door is protected from rust, as long as the proper maintenance is performed.
Wrought iron is a form of iron alloy that’s malleable and used to create intricately-designed doors, gates, and other home fixtures. It’s known for being tough and corrosion-resistant, but extreme temperatures can have less than desirable effects. Let’s dive deeper into this topic to help you understand just how rust-resistant wrought iron doors are.
Custom Iron Doors Do Not Easily Rust
Let’s get that out of the way first. Wrought iron doors are fabricated through a hot zinc galvanization process that gives the iron a protective layer. The iron itself is shielded from oxygen and moisture that can cause the iron to corrode and rust.
Iron doors are also later painted to fit the aesthetics of the home. This paint gives the iron doors an extra layer of protection from the elements that can cause rust.
If you have a porch or a covering above your front door, you can further keep your doors safe from the effects of snow and water. A few flakes getting on your door will not cause it to rust, but it’s important that you take proper care of your iron door to ensure its longevity.
Maintenance is Important
Custom metal works and wrought iron doors are extremely low-maintenance, but they still do require some care so that they won’t rust from snow or rain.
How Often Should You Clean Your Door?
Ideally, you should clean your iron door once a week, especially in the winter. However, cleaning it monthly if you don’t experience a lot of snow can already go a long way. The more often your door sees moisture, including snow, rain, and high humidity levels, the more frequently you should clean it and check it for signs of rust.
How to Clean Your Iron Door
Clean your door regularly with castile soap and dry the surface immediately after rinsing it to limit the amount of moisture it gets. Never use soap with harsh abrasives that can chip the paint and open the iron up to the elements. The protective layer of paint is what’s helping to keep moisture from invading your door and inviting rust to build.
Also, if you notice a lot of snowfall, make sure to check your door to ensure that it is dry. If it isn’t, brush away the snow and use a soft towel to dry it off. This is especially important if you don’t have an overhang or porch covering your front door.
Snow may accumulate there and increase the moisture on the bottom of the door. Always make sure to shovel snow away from the door and keep it dry.
Getting Rid of Rust on Your Iron Door
After a few decades of having an iron door, you may notice it starting to rust. This is due to increased humidity and moisture over the years. If you do notice rust, it can easily be scrubbed off with a wire brush. Once you see any signs of rust, you should consider getting your iron door repainted to reinforce its protection.
When you do notice rust, try to remove it before the next snowfall and get a protective covering on it as soon as possible. More moisture means more potential for rust.
Be meticulous in checking the joints of the door where moisture may accumulate. You may also want to take a closer look around the ornamental features and thinner pieces of iron that are prone to rust.
Prime and Paint
Once you’ve cleaned off any existing rust, you can sand, prime, and paint the door to protect it from the elements further. Sanding is crucial because it will remove any small specks of rust and paint imperfections so that the new coat of paint can more effectively protect the door from the elements. You should also always prime the door to protect it and help the paint adhere better. Next, paint the door with rust-resistant outdoor metal paint to ensure that the rust will stay at bay.
If you want to ensure that the winter weather won’t impact the quality and appearance of your custom iron door, carry out the whole process proactively during the warmer months. This process requires several hours of drying time, so it should be done when the weather is clear and snow-free.
To further protect your iron door from the harsh winter, you can apply a protective coat of car wax. This step should only be done after painting and as an extra protective measure.
If you’re unsure how to maintain your new wrought iron doors properly, ask the installation crew when they come to install your door. They have the knowledge and experience helping other homeowners like yourself maintain the quality of their doors, even in the harshest of weather.
While maintaining your iron door is easy, it’s not something that should be forgotten, especially if you live in a place with harsh winters or humid summers. In order to get the best return on your investment and ensure the lifetime of your iron door, always remember to keep it clean and dry even when the weather makes that difficult.
What else would you like to know about the maintenance of wrought iron doors? Let us know in the comments!