Is color variation in wooden doors normal?

When purchasing wooden doors, some people find that the custom-made doors differ in color from what they expected after delivery. How can this color difference issue be resolved, and why does it occur?

Natural properties

We all know that no two leaves on a tree are the same, let alone two different trees. Even from the same tree, doors made near the heartwood and roots will be darker in color, while doors made near the top and bark will be lighter in color.

Therefore, the finished product cannot be exactly the same color as the sample. Even if it is redone, it is difficult to guarantee that the finished product will be completely consistent. Moreover, the age and grain of each tree will also cause color differences, which are all natural properties of wood.

↑Different growing environments

↑The heartwood is a different color from the area near the bark.

Paint absorption

Each tree grows in a different environment, and the structure of the wood itself will vary, resulting in different colors and patterns. When the wood is spliced ​​together and then painted, there will be some color difference due to the degree of absorption of the wood, resulting in slight color variations.

↑The texture and structure of each tree are different, and the annual rings are all different.

Painting process issues

Each product requires a fresh batch of paint, and the number of coats can also result in slight color variations.

Environmental factors

Generally, the color of wooden doors near windows is noticeably brighter than that of wooden doors in darker locations. This is mainly due to the visual color difference caused by sunlight.

Is it a quality issue?

Color variations are rare in engineered wood doors, but unavoidable in solid wood doors. This color variation is inherent to the natural properties of solid wood. Wood is a porous material; different parts have varying densities, and different areas absorb light and paint to varying degrees. Therefore, sometimes the same piece of wood will show different shades and textures on opposite sides. Slight color variations in wood doors are not considered a quality issue. However, if a single piece of wood door displays two different colors, it is considered a quality problem.

How to identify

The more you try to conceal certain flaws, the more likely they are to become apparent. How can we distinguish between genuine and counterfeit colors due to color differences?

Wooden door manufacturers that use substandard boards as qualified boards for processing inevitably need to undergo color correction. In order to control the color difference of solid wood doors within a very small range, the surface paint layer will be relatively thick, and it will not be easy to control the color of the wooden door within a certain range.

When choosing wooden doors, it is essential to understand and be aware of color variations.

How to solve

To avoid the color difference of solid wood doors affecting the overall aesthetics of your home, you can request the manufacturer to send doors from the same batch to control the color difference issue!

Slight color differences in wooden doors are normal and within acceptable limits. Generally speaking, a color difference of no more than 5% is considered reasonable.

When purchasing wooden doors, pay attention to color differences and learn more about the characteristics of wood products and the causes of color variations. Don't request a replacement door simply because the color is inconsistent. If a more serious quality problem occurs, contact the manufacturer for a replacement.