Interior doors typically are painted with latex-based or acrylic paint. You also need to choose the correct finish when painting interior doors: Semi-gloss is a popular finish for interior doors because it provides superior stain resistance and is easier to clean than flatter finishes.
Type of Paint to Use
Use interior acrylic-latex paint. Choose eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss sheens. Avoid using flat or matte paint on doors. Each door is 68 square feet, including front, back, and edges.
Gloss and semi-gloss finishes are a great choice for many interior doors and trim. The glossy, shiny finish helps to give the door and trim more dimension without having to use certain colors or painting techniques. It can be a much more subtle effect than other means of adding dimension to your doors.
Since your door will be exposed to rain, sun, wind and other elements, you'll need a flexible and mold-resistant exterior paint. The most common kinds of exterior door paint are acrylic resin or latex-based and with a semi-gloss finish. Latex-based exterior paint is the most flexible type and is quite popular.
Interior Vs.
While durable and waterproof, latex paint remains slightly flexible even when completely dry, making it ill-suited for the exterior climate. Conversely, the hard glossy finish of enamel paint can look harsh and dated over large areas indoors but is well suited for the outdoor sunshine and elements.
Use vertical roller strokes when painting a flat door, or long, smooth brush strokes. Finish the edge around the hinges with a small brush.
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.
A satin or semi-gloss finish is the best for doors both inside and outside the home. Glossy finishes offer the best protection against damage and deterioration, while semi-gloss paint is easy to clean, given the paint dries in a way that allows accumulated dirt and grime to wipe off with little effort required.
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.
Semi gloss is going to be your best choice when choosing a paint finish for your trim and doors. It is the easiest to clean and holds up well to high traffic areas.
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.
Go with a semi-gloss finish
Semi-gloss paint offers enhanced durability against wear-and-tear and harsh weather compared to flat or eggshell finishes, and it masks surface imperfections better than high-gloss. The glossiness also makes the door easier to clean as compared to flat or eggshell finishes.
Paint Finish for Interior Doors
As such, the sheen you choose should stand up to the years and not show it. 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.
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.
If you are going to be painting over an oil-based paint with latex, you must first sand* it lightly and prime it with a good gripping primer. If you do not prime, the paint will rub right off when it is dry. If you are not sure what the old paint finish is, sand and prime to be on the safe side.
Painted doors look striking and dramatic, especially when paired with lighter walls. This is also a good way to bring attention to your home's architectural features.
Do I have to paint both sides of the door? No, especially when you are painting a door that stays open most of the time. If you decide to paint just one side, paint the edge of the door from the direction it's traveled through most.
Smooth Surfaces
Painters often use traditional rollers for uneven exterior walls and foam rollers for smooth interior walls, doors, and cabinets. Foam rollers glide along a smooth flat surface very easily and dispense the paint on the surfaces evenly.
Satin finishes provide a subtle sheen that is more lustrous than a flat paint finish but not as shiny as a semi-gloss. This finish tends to resist dirt, mildew, and stains, which makes it an excellent choice for interior doors.
Dulux Trade Quick Dry Gloss
The two big advantages of Dulux Trade Quick Dry Gloss is that it is touch dry in a matter of hours and it stays whiter for longer, as it does not yellow. This means that this is the perfect choice if you are a DIY'er who wants an easy to use, white gloss for interior use.
You'll want to pick a paint with a high gloss or semi-gloss paint finish. This is the best finish. The reason behind this is twofold. Glossy finishes reflect light and look great on doors, especially darker painted doors.
Painting Your Door While It's Removed From Its Frame
Pros: Gravity won't be as much of an issue with your door laid horizontally. It's easier to paint with long, smooth brush strokes. Painting paneled doors is a lot easier when painted horizontally.
To apply flat, eggshell, or satin paints and stains, a knit roller cover is recommended. Knit roller covers can pick up and release higher amounts of paint than woven fabrics because the fibers have a looped backing with a single pass-through process resulting in a more “open” fabric.