What is going on here with my storm door?

[JDgreen227]

Have had this Larson brand aluminum-skin-over a wood-core storm door on the north side of my garage since late '89. The primary door it protects is steel, and because the storm door is protected by a wide roof overhang, it barely gets wet on the exterior, and it never gets wet on the inside, where the aluminum is slowly turning to powder in one area. It started decomposing about three years ago, and there are no steel fasteners anywhere near this area that is damaged. The wood core (appears to be particle board) appears to be bone dry, and the bottom of the door is heavily sealed with caulking so I doubt if the core is wicking up water.

Anybody have an idea what is causing the damage? Thanks.

 

[blueriver]

I think condensation ... that can cause a "dry rot" condition ... fungus grows and deteriates the wood ... in this case the particle board.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I think condensation ... that can cause a "dry rot" condition ... fungus grows and deteriates the wood ... in this case the particle board.

It appears the aluminum is whats disintegrating, not the wood.

 

[blueriver]

It appears the aluminum is whats disintegrating, not the wood.

I think, looking closely at the 2nd picture ... the wood inside started decomposing and that worked its way to the outside aluminum ... that aluminum is super, super thin material and when that starts on the inside it has got to work to the surface.

BUT ... thats just my thoughts on the subject.

 

[tmajor]

Aluminum over PT (pressure treated) lumber will do that. It's from the chemicals, in that case.

 

[nybirdman]

Boy thats odd..I have a storm door doing the same thing...only about seven years old.Just going to replace it.Almost in the same spot as yours.

 

[JDgreen227]

Aluminum over PT (pressure treated) lumber will do that. It's from the chemicals, in that case.

The wood core is not PT....

 

[bruceha2000]

I think I would have to agree with the wet on the inside coming through. The edge of the channel looks like it has some rust bubbles but the paint is still intact. Now, as to how it got wet INSIDE, I can't venture a guess.

Never had much used for particle board. Glue and sawdust, heavy as heck, doesn't hold a screw for squat.

 

[reb]

My front door (a Larson with the "solid wood core" aka particle board) is doing the same thing after about 9 or 10 years. I had to replace the back storm door a year or so ago because it got so bad it wouldn't close. I wish I could find a sturdy door that would hold up. All the quality doors I have found have particle board cores. My doors are exposed to rain, so I wouldn't expect particle board to last.

 

[JDgreen227]

My front door (a Larson with the "solid wood core" aka particle board) is doing the same thing after about 9 or 10 years. I had to replace the back storm door a year or so ago because it got so bad it wouldn't close. I wish I could find a sturdy door that would hold up. All the quality doors I have found have particle board cores. My doors are exposed to rain, so I wouldn't expect particle board to last.

I am pretty sure they use particle board because it doesn't twist nor warp like plywood/solid wood does, but it is terrible stuff to use where dampness might be a problem. When they built our kitchen counters, they used two layers of 3/4 particle board...wish there were another solution for around the sink.

Agreed, the problem I have may be caused by condensation, later today I am going to use a rotary tool to remove the flaking aluminum on my door, fill the hole with caulking, and tack on a patch of aluminum. Yes, the door only cost me about $80 when it was new 20 years ago, but read my signature line...:laughing: