What is the best finish for exterior doors?

Author: Mrs. Dakota McGlynn  |  Last update: Sunday, July 6, 2025

Polyurethane is a highly durable and moisture-resistant clear finish that's ideal for protecting wood entry doors. Follow these steps to use it: Apply two coats of exterior-grade polyurethane to start. Sand lightly between coats for a smooth finish.

What is the most durable exterior door finish?

When you're looking for the most durable solution available for your entryway door that doesn't hide its gran, an epoxy sealer with an exterior varnish is the way to go. It offers protection from UV rays and water damage, by preventing the wood from expanding and contracting in extreme weather conditions.

What sheen is best for exterior doors?

Semi-gloss is the most recommended paint sheen for doors and trim, but design rules are always meant to be broken.

What is the most durable outdoor wood finish?

The longest-lasting outdoor wood treatments are usually oil-based stains and marine-grade varnishes. Oil-based stains penetrate the wood, providing deep protection, while marine-grade varnishes offer superior UV and moisture resistance.

What is the best treatment for exterior wood doors?

Polish your exterior wood doors once every two to three months to keep them gleaming. Most wood furniture polish or furniture wax products will work for the job. If your door gets a lot of sun, a varnish polish is better than polyurethane since the latter will yellow in direct sunlight.

Outdoor Finishes

What is the best clear coat for exterior wood doors?

Polyurethane is a highly durable and moisture-resistant clear finish that's ideal for protecting wood entry doors. Follow these steps to use it: Apply two coats of exterior-grade polyurethane to start. Sand lightly between coats for a smooth finish.

What should I use to seal an exterior door?

For sealing around the exterior of a door, or anywhere that could be exposed to water and harsh weather, choose a GE-branded 100% silicone sealant, like GE Supreme Silicone Window & Door sealant. This sealant is 100% weatherproof, permanently flexible and won't crack or shrink with temperature changes.

Should you oil or varnish exterior doors?

Choosing to oil external wooden doors rather than painting or varnishing them offers several significant advantages: Oils penetrate deep into the wood, nourishing it from within, which helps prevent drying, cracking, splitting, or warping.

Is polyurethane or varnish better for outdoor use?

While polyurethane is water- or oil-based plastic resin, varnish is older and made from resins, oils, and solvents. Because of the higher ratio of solids, varnish is less susceptible to ultraviolet light damage. This protection makes varnish an excellent choice for projects such as outside decks and exterior furniture.

What is the most scratch resistant wood finish?

Moisture-cured urethane is highly durable and resistant to scratches, making it perfect for homes with pets, though it has high VOC levels.
  1. Aluminum Oxide. ...
  2. Acid-Cured Finish. ...
  3. Water-Based Polyurethane. ...
  4. Oil-Based Polyurethane. ...
  5. Moisture-Cured Urethane.

What is the best sheen for exterior wood?

The best sheen for exterior paint is satin. Flat sheens quickly lose their color and are more prone to damage. Semi-gloss sheens can become sticky and develop an unpleasant texture. A satin sheen is ideal because improves the paint's durability and color retention without overly impacting the texture.

Is satin good for an exterior door?

Good news: the same finish paint finish works for interior AND exterior doors. If you thought a satin finish was best, you are correct! Same people like a high gloss finish on doors for its wipe-ability, but you can achieve that with a satin door as well without the sheen.

What is the most durable exterior door paint?

Oil-Based Paint

Oil paints are more durable and resistant to fading than water-based paint, but it is also more difficult to work with and takes longer to dry. It is a good choice for a front door that will be subjected to harsh weather conditions or heavy use, as it is more resistant to damage and wear.

What is the best exterior finish for a house?

The top two most durable exterior sidings are composite and vinyl siding. Composite siding outperforms vinyl in terms of insulation value, thermal resistance, and environmental friendliness. When it comes to strength and durability, composite ranks higher than vinyl.

What is the best choice for exterior door?

The most popular materials for an exterior door are wood, steel and fiberglass. Most homeowners don't mind the upfront investment for wood because of its traditional look and natural appeal.

What is the best finish for doors?

Here's a list of some of the best finishes to consider:
  • Satin. Satin finishes provide a subtle sheen that is more lustrous than a flat paint finish but not as shiny as a semi-gloss. ...
  • Semi-Gloss. ...
  • Gloss. ...
  • Eggshell. ...
  • Matte/Flat. ...
  • Durability of the Paint. ...
  • Finish of the Paint. ...
  • Paint Color.

What is the longest lasting exterior wood finish?

Spar varnish, also known as marine varnish, is a long-lasting, flexible finish designed for harsh, outdoor environments. This quality makes it a great choice for boats, outdoor furniture, and exterior doors and trim. Pros: Water- and UV-resistant.

Is there anything better than polyurethane?

Shellac – Shellac is a varnish made from the resin of the lac bug. It is a softer finish that is often recommended for lighter-colored woods. It is also better for areas with high moisture and frequent wear, as it dries much faster than polyurethane.

Can polyurethane be used on exterior doors?

Wood doors are a beautiful addition to any home, especially as a front door. For superior protection, it's best to use a high-quality polyurethane finish for wood doors.

How many coats of polyurethane on an exterior door?

It is recommended that three coats of exterior poly be applied for outdoor use, due to the harsh conditions it is expected to experience.

Why is oil better than varnish?

Oils protect by permeating the wood deeply, while varnishes work by forming a layer on the wood. Oil can be ideal for wood that gets wet frequently. Products like Biofa Ireland's non-toxic Weather Protection Oil or oil-based Exterior Wood Glaze/Varnish prevent water ingress and keep the wood protected.

Should exterior doors be semi gloss or satin?

Semi-gloss paint can be easily cleaned because it is more durable than satin paint due to its glossier finish. Semi-gloss paint can survive excessive wetness as well as adverse weather.

What finish to use on exterior door?

Clear. To properly seal in the stain that you have applied, you will need to apply a clear coat. For exterior doors, it is highly recommended to use an outdoor rated polyurethane 2 part clear coat. This will cure very hard and will protect against water and sun very well.

How to weatherproof an exterior door?

One of the easiest and most common ways of weatherproofing your home and the front door is to add a weatherstrip around the opening of your door.

What is the best weather seal for a front door?

V-Strip - If you have a door that is in good condition and has a tight fit, a V-strip may be the best option for you. This type of weatherstripping is also a good choice if you're looking for a weatherstripping option that is durable and long-lasting.

Previous article
What does mold poisoning feel like?
Next article
Is standing water under a house bad?