Where you install your door is extremely important. There are so many different factors that go into taking care of your exterior door. While our exterior doors are outdoor rated, they still need to be protected from the elements. Our expert, Doug Cox, explains why it is so important to install your exterior door in the right spot.

Does my Rustica exterior door need an overhang or portico?

YES!!!  While some installations of exterior doors without an overhang may not seem to be a problem we strongly recommend and in fact require an overhang or portico for warranty purposes.  The reason for this is simple; the very structure of both wood and metal doors are impacted by excessive heat and precipitation.  Every exterior door we offer is finished with an exterior treatment, however, without some protection from the sun, rain and snow every door, even with the best exterior coatings, will show the impact of the drying out of the wood (excessive sun) of the swelling of the wood (excessive water) and for metal doors rust (also due to excessive water).  
 
The environment, climate and the direction a door faces play an important role in determining the proper overhang. In the US, southern and western exposures are the harshest. Without an overhang southern exposure doors have the sun beating down on the door from sunrise to sunset.  Western facing doors get the sun at the hottest point of the day.  Regardless of which direction a wood or metal door faces, if it is exposed to regular and constant precipitation the water will have a significant impact on the door.  

 
Here is a useful formula to help you estimate the required size of your overhang based on climate and the direction the door faces. Y = the size of the overhang and X = the height from the base of the door to the bottom of the overhang.  For example, if you live in a desert climate with a north-facing door and the measurement from the base of the door to the bottom of the overhang is 10 feet, then the overhang should extend out at least 5 feet. Y=1/2 X.

Without the proper overhang protection from the heat of the sun and precipitation, there is little that can be done to protect a door from the impact of heat and moisture.  With the proper overhang protection that your door needs and the warranty requires, your wood or metal door will not only last longer, but will remain beautiful for years to come.
 
-Doug Cox, VP of Sales 

 
Installing your exterior door in a proper location is extremely important. If you have any additional questions about caring for your exterior door please contact our service team. They would love to help! For more information about our terms and conditions, please visit the terms and conditions page.