Muhammad Yasir, Doors & Wood · 2026-10-20
Karachi is hard on doors. The sea air keeps humidity high for much of the year, the monsoon brings sudden dampness, and termites are common in many neighbourhoods. A well-made door can still last for many years if it is installed and cared for properly. These are the habits we recommend to our customers.
Wood takes in moisture from humid air and releases it when the air is dry. As it does, it swells and shrinks slightly. If one part of the door absorbs more moisture than another — for example an unsealed bottom edge — the door can warp, stick in its frame or develop cracks. Engineered doors move less, but their edges can still absorb water if they are left bare.
A door has six sides: two faces and four edges. The top and bottom edges are hidden, so they are often left unfinished. These hidden edges are exactly where moisture gets in. Make sure every edge is sealed with polish, paint or sealer — especially the bottom edge of bathroom and ground-floor doors.
If a door is trimmed during fitting, the cut edge must be sealed again before the door is hung.
Termites usually reach doors through the frame and the wall behind it. Before the frame (chaukhat) is fixed, ask your contractor to apply an anti-termite treatment to the frame and the surrounding masonry. It is much harder to treat once the frame is plastered in.
Polish is the door's raincoat. On solid wood and veneer doors, renew the polish when the surface starts to look dry or dull, usually every few years. Doors facing direct sun or rain need attention more often.
Not sure which finish you have? Our guide to door types explains each one.
A door that sticks during the monsoon often frees itself when the air dries out. Before planing it, check the simple things first: tighten loose hinge screws, because a sagging door often rubs at the top corner. If the door still sticks after the humid season, plane only as much as needed, then seal the planed edge again right away.
Tighten hinge and handle screws once or twice a year, and add a drop of oil to hinges if they squeak. Heavy doors need strong hinges; a sagging door strains its frame and can crack over time.
Care matters, but so does choosing the right material and wood for each place. Read our guides on ply vs wooden doors and choosing wood for doors, or contact us for advice on your home.
Seal all six sides, including the top and bottom edges, keep the polish in good condition, and avoid water standing against the door.
Treat the frame and the surrounding wall with an anti-termite treatment before the frame is fixed, and watch for mud tubes or hollow-sounding wood.
First tighten loose hinges and wait for the humid season to pass. Plane only if it still sticks, and reseal the planed edge immediately.