The type of paint you choose for your front door is crucial for achieving a durable, lasting finish. Exterior house paints are formulated to withstand sun, rain, snow, and temperature swings. If you don’t have a glass or storm door that stands between your door and the elements, use exterior paint. Gloss paints are typically preferred for doors, and Consumer Reports recommends semi-gloss paint for exterior doors and trim.
Using the proper exterior paint type will prevent peeling and fading, so it’s essential to choose latex paint or oil-based paint. A front door can be painted in satin or gloss finishes, with both available in both flat and flatter options. Gloss has more luster than satin paint and is generally more durable. To paint a perfect front door, you need the right tools, like high-quality Benjamin products.
For front doors, glossy or semi-gloss paints are frequently used, but flat or eggshell finishes are also an option. Semi-gloss paint offers enhanced durability against wear-and-tear and harsh weather, and it masks surface imperfections better than high-gloss paint. Zinsser AllCoat is the most popular satinwood finish for a front door, and it’s the most popular paint among Professional Decorators. Latex, acrylic, and oil-based paint are all good options, with epoxy paint being a more durable choice for doors subjected to heavy use.
Ensure you get paint and primer that are rated for exterior use. Satin or semi-gloss acrylic latex paint is ideal for front doors, and exterior paints are sold in both satin and gloss finishes. Gloss has a variety of colors and can hide imperfections, making it perfect for pairing with low sheen walls or opting for a distinctive gloss or low gloss finish.
📹 Which Exterior Paint Finish Should YOU Use? | Paint Sheens Explained
These are all the major exterior paint sheens explained, so you know which exterior paint finish you should use for your project!
Should doors be painted gloss or satin?
The paint finish on your door can significantly influence its appearance. Satin and semi-gloss finishes are popular due to their shine and easy-to-clean properties. Glossy finishes can highlight imperfections but can be more striking. The paint color can transform your space, so choose a color that complements your style and room design. Lighting also plays a role in the paint color’s appearance. Choose between latex (water-based) and oil-based paints, each with its pros and cons. Latex is easy to work with and clean, while oil offers a smooth, durable finish.
What is the best paint for a front door in full sun?
Urethane-modified acrylic paints are formulated to provide superior protection against the damaging effects of harsh sunlight. The combination of urethane and acrylic resins offers enhanced durability, ensuring that the paint can withstand the effects of fading, cracking, and peeling.
What paint to use on front door outside?
In order to paint exterior doors, it is recommended that one selects a paint specifically designed for such a purpose. Examples of suitable paints include water-based acrylic, latex, or alkyd-based oil paint. Oil-based paints are optimal for providing weather protection and facilitating the drying process. It is imperative that the paint be identical to that of the existing door and not water-based. The optimal paint for exterior doors is an oil-based primer with latex paint. It is inadvisable to apply a water-based paint over a water-based paint.
What is the most common exterior paint finish?
Eggshell paint is a popular exterior paint finish for homes due to its non-darkness and shine, making it suitable for various siding types like HardiePlank, stucco, and horizontal wood. However, many clients prefer a flat sheen due to the lack of added protection, which can cause premature paint failure and cost. To address this issue, Benjamin Moore’s Aura product, available in low luster, is recommended. This option is slightly less shiny than Sherwin Williams satin, but the initial shine may fade over the first year or two.
A flat sheen is best for stucco, as it helps hide texture and imperfections in the porous surface. A satin finish may stand out more, but a flat sheen is recommended for highlighting texture. For other surfaces, a satin finish may be more suitable. Overall, eggshell paint is the best choice for exterior paint due to its versatility and ability to blend with various siding types.
What type of exterior paint finish is best for front doors?
The best paint for a front door is satin or semi-gloss acrylic latex paint, which is durable and easy to clean. This type of paint is suitable for wood and fiberglass doors. Before purchasing latex paint, ensure that the existing paint color is also acrylic/latex and not oil-based. When painting the sides, it is important to paint the inside and outside of the door the same color to maintain continuity.
The recommended amount of paint for a standard-sized door is a quart, but it is recommended to tint the primer to the actual paint color for better color and coverage, resulting in less paint usage. It is essential to buy a quart of primer and a quart of the actual paint color to achieve the best results.
Should the front door be matte or glossy?
Paint garage, side, and external doors to match the siding, as semi-gloss paint can cause glare from sunlight. Premium flat paint is the best choice for these doors, as they are not required to match the rest of the house’s trim. Front doors are often painted in a distinct color and shine as a focal feature, and a warm or enjoyable semi-gloss hue is best for good shape.
For front doors, glossy or semi-gloss paints are commonly used, but flat or eggshell finishes are also an option. Flat paint is more difficult to clean and will show nicks and scrapes more clearly than glossy paint. High gloss paint will draw attention to the door and emphasize its architectural characteristics.
When choosing paint, consider latex, water-based, or oil-based options, with the primer having the same formula. Oil-based paints are more durable and can withstand severe weather, but require a longer drying period and turpentine or paint thinner for spill cleanup.
Do I need to prime exterior door before painting?
Prior to painting a door, it is advisable to apply a primer if the intention is to change the color. It is advisable to remove all hardware, clean the door with a wet cloth, and use a sanding block or sandpaper to remove any imperfections, whether painting in place or on sawhorses.
What is the best color for a front door in 2024?
Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore is a popular charcoal color for front doors, offering sophistication, mystery, and classic appeal. This darker hue is ideal for homeowners who are unsure of what to choose. It looks particularly great on a white house, which is both classic and trendy, especially when shutters, windows, and garage doors match. Kantz recommends starting with this color for homeowners looking to enhance their front doors.
What is the most welcoming front door color?
A new front door can be transformed into a welcoming sign by choosing a color family that is cheerful, welcoming, and fun. Yellow or lime green is a cheerful choice that can offset a bland home color and add personality. Ruby red is a vibrant and bold color that is intriguing and invites visitors to stay. Teal or aqua blue is a great contrast to gray or other dark colors, while gray is a great choice for a more drab gray home. Black is another great color to consider, as it is a bold and vibrant choice that can be used against a white backdrop or add a touch of passion to a more drab gray home.
What is the best paint for a front door that gets a lot of sun?
Urethane-modified acrylic paints are designed to provide superior protection against harsh sunlight, combining the durability of urethane with the flexibility of acrylic. They offer excellent adhesion and color retention, making them suitable for metal front doors that receive a lot of sun. High-solids epoxy paint is an excellent choice for metal front doors due to its thick, protective coating, shielding the surface from UV rays and other environmental factors. Powder coat paint is a popular choice due to its durability and resistance to sun damage, as it is applied to the metal surface and cured under heat to form a hard, protective finish.
What paint lasts longest in sun?
Acrylic paint is a durable and long-lasting coating that resists damage from weather and natural factors. It is ideal for homes in hot regions or climates, as it can withstand sun exposure and fading. There are various types of acrylic paint, including Acrylic Latex, Acrylic Enamel, and Acrylic Latex Enamel, which are suitable for various exterior surfaces like wood, masonry, siding, metal, and trims. These high-performance coatings offer high durability and a high-impact finish.
📹 THESE 2 Paints Made My Front Door GORGEOUS!
Honestly, I would paint that white plastic trim as well. I’ve done that on my last two houses and it makes a dramatic difference. That white box on the door adds nothing, especially on a dark door. I was nervous the first time I did it as no turning back. But it really does make the door look more professional. Previous house door was with SW Rock Bottom, and my new home in F&B Tar. They both look fabulous. This is the first time commenting on your articles, enjoy them very much. Look forward to more paint color tips.
I can echo your love for Aura. Although my metal front door only gets the very late afternoon sun, it gets really, really hot there, but Aura has held up remarkably well. I did use a primer, but not Stixx . I think it was a Benjamin Moore primer. It’s been 2 years now and still holding up very well, even with the hot sun, and while hosing off when dust gets on it and wiping with a sponge periodically it still has a lot of sheen, no flakes, not even dulling that I can see. So Yes on Aura!
I just discovered your website and am really enjoying it! 😊 Question: we live in a simple orange brick 1954 rambler with a simple gable roof. We just got a new roof with architectural shingles in Moire Black. The vinyl siding in the gable ends is white, and I’m pretty sure it’s been installed over the original asbestos shingles. What do you think about painting the siding? Any recommendations? I’m thinking about the color Behr Patio Stone N360-6.
We just recently had our aluminum front door painted by professional. They used BM exterior satin finish, I’m not sure if it was Aura, but it probably was. My issue is with the finish afterwards. It’s orange peelish, I’m pretty sure he use a brush. I asked him after he was done, why the orange peelish appearance, he said it would level. Well it never did. Why did it happen, and what can we do to correct it? Thank you.