If you do not have a glass or storm door that stands between your door and the elements, you'll want to make certain you use exterior paint. While you can choose any finish, glossy paints are typically preferred for doors and trim, because they stand out and highlight these architectural features.
While it's technically possible to use interior paint on your front door, it's not recommended. Interior paints are designed for indoor environments and may not withstand outdoor conditions like moisture, UV rays, and temperature fluctuations. Here are a few reasons why you should consider using exterior paint instead:
What is the best front door paint finish to use? The best finish for a front door is gloss or semi-gloss. The same goes for exterior trim. Semigloss paint gives a smoother surface than lower sheen finishes and gives that extra degree of shine providing more of a visual impact.
Dulux exterior paint is often cited as a high quality exterior door paint. Some people prefer a gloss finish while others prefer matt.
You can use either a paint brush or a roller to paint a door, but a self-leveling waterbourne alkyd paint is important for best results to reduce brush strokes and roller marks. A paint sprayer will give you the most professional finish. If you door has panels, paint the panels first with an angled paint brush.
We recommend using a roller and a brush when painting a front door. A roller helps cover larger, flatter areas more quickly. Brushes are ideal for recessed and detailed areas that require more precise application, such as edges and curves on your door.
It is entirely possible to refresh the look of your door without taking it off its hinges. In this blog, we will walk you through how to paint a front door without removing it, from preparation to finishing touches.
To achieve a smooth finish without brush marks or roller lines and stipple, we recommend the “roll and back tip” technique. This method ensures an even coat without leaving behind visible brush or roller marks. First, load your roller with paint and apply it in a long even stroke along a section of trim or door.
Remove blisters by scraping, sanding or pressure-washing down to underlying coats of paint or primer. Repaint the surface with a high-quality interior/exterior paint (make sure the surface temperature is below 90º F). Find the best paints suited for your project.
'We always avoid bright and neon colors for front doors, as they can be too trend-led and lack longevity, often clashing with the overall exterior space,' says Eugenia.
You can use any color to brighten up your front entrance, but we especially love vibrant shades of yellow and green to really amp up the friendly welcome.
Simply paint your door without sanding if the old varnish is still intact. However, if there are damaged areas and flaking, you should first sand them smooth or sand them down. Use very fine-grained sandpaper for this. You can easily conceal any imperfections or holes with To Fill - MissPompadour Filler.
However, to be safe, give the door a light sanding first (see steps 5 and 6) before painting (step 8). You will likely need two coats of exterior door paint, as the first will act as a primer.
A satin or semi-gloss sheen is ideal, as it can withstand moisture. Imperfections: If you're looking to cover or hide imperfections, flat or eggshell finishes are best. Durability: Areas with high traffic or exposure to moisture require more durable finishes, such as semi-gloss or satin.
For best results, we recommend using both a brush and roller for different parts of the door. A 2-2.5 in. angled brush is the best choice for detailed areas that are raised or recessed. Brush these detailed areas first, and then use a roller for the flat raised surfaces.
For front doors, glossy or semi-gloss paints are frequently used, but flat or eggshell finishes are also an option. When contemplating flat paint, remember that it is more difficult to clean and will show nicks and scrapes more clearly than glossy paint.
Brush marks are caused by strokes that leave the paint with a rough texture and visible brush strokes. The rough texture and visible brush strokes can be easily covered in a second coat of paint by using a slightly different technique than you used for your first coat.
You cannot just simply paint over your door as it will result in a poor appearance. To make the paint last longer and avoid any cracks and holes, you need to prep the door first. Before you begin painting your front door, clean the door thoroughly.
Before we start, if you're painting the door too you should do the frame first.
Prep Work for Painting
You can paint your door in place or remove it from the hinges if you have a storm or glass door to protect your home and keep bugs and debris from floating into your home. You can also tape a tarp over the opening if you prefer to remove your door to paint.
The goal is to choose colors that complement your home's interior and exterior. It doesn't matter if you paint the exterior and interior the same color or choose something different for each side.
With our wide selection of paint by Sherwin-Williams, HGTV Home® by Sherwin Williams, Valspar® and STAINMASTER™, your perfect color is waiting for you.