All my exterior woodwork has dried out and cracked in the summer heat – what can I do to bring it back to life again?

Love them or hate them, the hot summers we are experiencing more frequently have their pros and cons. On the one hand help us to get wet laundry dry outside and allow everyone to get more use out of their barbecues and patio areas. On the other hand, they can wreak havoc on our homes – in some cases even more so than wet and freezing weather.

Around my own home, it has been my exterior woodwork that seems to have suffered the most. My window frames and front door have been left with peeling paint and cracks that definitely weren't there before summer. Some level of window repair is definitely in order and sadly I think the front door may need repainting – again.

Keen to get my house looking shipshape and ready to face whatever autumn and winter have in store, I reached out to the experts to find out what steps I should take to repair and protect the external timber elements of my home.

What damage can heat do to exterior woodwork?

While I am a bit of a sun worshipper, I don't necessarily love the effect extreme heat can have on my home. Brown grass, dead shrubs, faded paintwork, mysterious mould in the bathroom and strange things happening to the exterior woodwork – namely my window and door frames, but also the wooden sills and even the fascia boards.

James Allsop, managing director and bespoke joinery expert at JLA Joinery, explains why my woodwork is looking in such poor condition. "Extended periods of hot, dry weather can cause timber to lose moisture and contract. This movement can open joints, create small cracks and cause paint or protective coatings to split and flake. Dark-painted woodwork can be particularly vulnerable because it absorbs more heat."

Joe Buckley, founder and director at Heritage Joinery Solutions, points out that it was also lucky my exterior woodwork is painted as, had it not been, the problem could have been even worse. "Heat will expose weaknesses in exterior timber quickly. Bare timber loses moisture really quickly, leaving it more prone to splitting or distortion. Also, exposed joinery will take a harder hit than shaded timber."

James Allsop

James Allsop is Managing Director of JLA Joinery, a family-run bespoke joinery company established in 1980 and based near Chichester, West Sussex. He specialises in staircases, staircase renovations, fitted furniture, doors and made-to-measure joinery.

Joe Buckley

Joe is the founder and driving force behind Heritage Joinery. He is passionate about preserving the timeless beauty of traditional timber architecture while delivering quality and craftsmanship that stands the test of time. Heritage Joinery specialise in traditional joinery work, from sash window restoration and replacement to period windows and doors.

Can heat-damaged exterior woodwork be repaired or is replacement needed?

I really don't relish the though of having to face the cost of window replacement to put this problem right, so what are my options if I want to upgrade the kerb appeal of my house as autumn approaches?

"Visible damage does not automatically mean exterior woodwork needs replacing," reassures James Allsop. "A well-made timber window or door can often be repaired, even when it initially looks quite badly weathered. The first step is to determine whether the problem is limited to the paintwork and surface of the timber, or whether moisture has entered through the damaged finish and caused decay.

"Replacement is generally only necessary where the timber has suffered extensive rot, severe distortion or damage that has compromised the structure, operation or security of the window or door," continues James. "In many cases, localised repairs or the replacement of individual components can extend its life considerably and preserve the character of the property."

"Most heat-damaged timber windows are saveable if the underlying wood is still sound," agrees Joe Buckley. "If I see that the paint is peeling or a sash window is sticking, it doesn’t mean the whole frame has failed. Small damage can just be cut out and repaired. Replacing the full frame is only necessary when the damage affects the structure or stops the window from moving as designed.

"You can adjust slightly warped timber, but badly distorted sections are usually replaced piece by piece," adds Joe. "A skilled joiner wouldn't replace a whole window when only one part has failed."

Shop for your exterior woodwork repair

How do you repair heat-damaged exterior woodwork?

The good news, then, is that woodwork that has suffered at the hands of the heatwaves is saveable. Joe Buckley explains the best course of action – which includes avoiding taking any shortcuts when painting wood. "Painting straight over heat-damaged timber only hides the problem. Remove loose coatings and allow the wood to stabilise before repairing damaged areas. Then repaint the areas."

James Allsop goes on to explain how he approaches this kind of damage. "Where the wood remains structurally sound, we can remove loose or failing coatings, allow the timber to dry properly, repair cracks and joints, replace small damaged sections if necessary and then apply a suitable exterior finishing system."

James also agrees that this is no place for trying to hide the problem under a new finish. "It is important not to simply paint over cracked or flaking areas, as this can trap moisture and hide deterioration rather than solve it."

How do you prepare exterior woodwork for winter?

Once you have put right any damage that summer might have done to your home, it is time to turn your thoughts to how you will get your house ready for winter – and woodwork, in particular, needs special consideration.

Before winter hits, a quick inspection of your woodwork is essential says James Allsop. "Run your hands over external wooden doors, frames, windows and balcony rails. Look closely at joints, lower edges and areas surrounding glazing. Watch for peeling paint, dry or faded patches, small cracks, open joints, dark staining or exposed timber. Also check whether doors and windows continue to open, close and lock correctly.

"Clean away dirt and organic debris too – a layer of dirt may look harmless, but leaves, moss and debris can trap water against the timber. Gently clean exterior wood using a suitable product and a soft brush or cloth. Also, make sure drainage channels remain clear and that soil, plant pots or stored objects are not pressed against the timber.

"Look above doors and windows too," he continues. "A damaged gutter or overflowing downpipe can subject joinery to far more water than it was designed to receive.

"Pay attention to places where water may collect, particularly around thresholds, sills and the lower sections of doors and frames," James adds. "Clear gutters, keep drainage channels unobstructed and address small defects before prolonged wet weather arrives. With good-quality timber, proper preparation and regular maintenance, exterior joinery should last for many years."

"Manage any damage before autumn if you can," picks up Joe Buckley. "Autumn is still better than winter for repairs, especially if long UK wet weather spells haven't set in yet. Moisture accelerates decay so keeping water out now will do far more for the timber than trying to repair rot later.

"Check the protective coating and closely examine exposed end grain, because that’s where moisture gets in quickest," adds Joe. "This is the graining at the end of any cut timber."

Finally, James advises strongly against oiling exterior woodwork once you are in the depths of winter. "Autumn is often a better time to carry out exterior maintenance than the middle of winter, but the weather still needs to be suitable. The timber must be clean and properly dry. The manufacturer’s required temperature, timber moisture level and drying time should also be followed."

Try this handy tool for keeping your gutters clean

Now is the perfect time to look at other ways of upgrading the kerb appeal of your home – check the condition of your driveway, brickwork and exterior lighting before the weather turns.