Ideally, you should choose a paint finish that is either gloss or semi-gloss because it is easier to keep looking good. If there are smudges, then a washcloth with warm water will remove them. In addition, the glossy beauty of the door will stand out in stark contrast against an eggshell or flat wall.
Semigloss is the best paint finish for interior doors and trim. The reason being, semi-gloss can take up quite an abuse and stand up to nicks and scrapes better than any other sheen, flat or eggshell finish. The large surfaces gather dust just like your furniture.
Fingerprints and grime are to be expected on interior doors in high-traffic areas. So pick paint with a gloss or semi-gloss finish, rather than flat or eggshell, for a surface that's much easier to wipe clean. A glossier paint also makes doors and trim stand out beautifully against the flatter wall surface.
Type of Paint to Use
Avoid using flat or matte paint on doors. Each door is 68 square feet, including front, back, and edges. One gallon of paint covers about 350 square feet. So, you'll need about one gallon of paint for every five doors.
Generally, the best paint for interior doors is semi-gloss because it is easy to clean and produces a finish that lasts for a long time, but gloss is good too.
Summary of Paint for Interior Doors
Latex paints are easy to work with, environmentally friendly, and resist yellowing over time. Oil-based paints provide a durable, smooth finish, although they require a bit more effort to apply and clean.
And because a glossy surface is more slick, it's also more resistant to moisture. As a general rule, use satin for interior walls and furniture and semi-gloss for small areas that need highlighting such as cabinets, mantels, stair rails, door and window frames.
A gloss finish used to be a preference as it was hard wearing. But due to paint technology rapidly moving on in recent years, this isn't the case anymore with just gloss paints. One drawback when using a shiny gloss paint, if your woodwork is old the high sheen can be less forgiving and highlight imperfections.
Flat paint may be suitable for a garage door, but any high-traffic entry, such as your front door, usually looks better painted in satin or semi-gloss. However, if you really want to put a flat paint on your front door, newer brands of flat or matte paints are stain resistant and washable.
When it comes to interior doors & other woodwork, the choice is between an eggshell, satin or gloss finish, depending on the level of durability and the finish you desire. Eggshell as the flattest finish can provide a beautifully modern look, while gloss provides the most durability against scratches and knocks.
Both satin and eggshell paints can be used on interior woodwork including doors, window and door frames, skirting boards, architraves, stair railings and other architectural details. Eggshell is better for a lower sheen with a matte emulsion feel while satin is glossier.
Just remember to keep in mind that a high gloss will magnify dents and dings. The same is true for matte finishes, as the lack of sheen will show handprints. If you are opting for black doors because they are easier to keep clean, go with a semi-gloss or satin finish.
Largely, bright colors add energy to a space, while more muted tones help create a soothing and tranquil space. Think of the purpose of a room – in a kid's playroom, a brightly painted door will do well, but in a reading room or bedroom, you mightwant to go ahead with a lighter tone.
According to the paint experts, high gloss paint is highly durable and recommended for front doors because they have a tough enamel-like finish.
Choose an Interior Door Paint Color
If you're painting your door white and have white trim around it, I recommend using the same paint color and finish as the trim. Some of my favorite whites for trimwork and doors are Benjamin Moore's Cloud White and Dove White in either semi-gloss or satin.
The Cons of a Gloss Finish
While gloss kitchens are easier to clean, they also need to be cleaned more often as those dirty marks and fingerprints will show up more easily. Another downside, particularly with acrylic gloss units, is that they're quite easy to scratch.
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Semi-gloss finish: This is the best finish for your trims such as baseboards, mouldings and even cabinets and doors. It's also a good choice for highly trafficked area that gets lots of wear and tear such as a mudroom.
It's a common question, “Do interior doors and trim have to match?” The short answer is no. The doors and trim can be whatever style and color you want them to be. Your home's design is entirely up to you.
Generally, semi-gloss paint is used for baseboards, door and window casings, crown molding, cabinets, and doors. Its high sheen allows it to reflect more light, which highlights details in trim, while its durability makes it a good candidate for surfaces that see a lot of wear and frequent cleaning.
The color you paint interior doors and trim does not have to be the same — but it can be. If you are looking for a subtle door paint idea, you can paint the trim to match the door. Alternatively, contrasting colors for the trim and door could make the door pop against the wall if that is the look you want.
Benjamin Moore ADVANCE paint will always be your best bet for trim and cabinets because it looks great and is long-lasting.
A flat finish is perfect for walls, but when it comes to the other details, you'll want to add more dimension. Use a satin finish for trim and a gloss finish for doors.