Which Finish Is Appropriate For External Doors?

The article provides a guide on choosing the right front door paint for your home exterior. It emphasizes the importance of understanding different types of paint, their properties, and the basics of paint selection. For doors without glass or storm doors, it is recommended to use exterior paint. Glossy paints are typically preferred for doors, while Consumer Reports recommends semi-gloss paint for exterior doors and trim.

When choosing a finish for your front door, consider factors such as natural grain, sheen preference, and frequency of painting. Clean, prep, and prime the door with high-quality Benjamin Moore brushes and rollers. Semi-gloss paint offers enhanced durability against wear-and-tear and harsh weather, and it masks surface imperfections better than high-gloss. This makes the door easier to clean and maintain its appearance.

Satin paints offer an understated elegance, while semi-gloss provides durability and ease of cleaning, making them ideal for high-traffic areas like entrances. For best results, use an exterior-grade oil- or water-based paint and apply multiple thin coats for a smooth, even finish. Sand and reapply every coat. Acrylic or tung/phenolic varnishes (like Waterlox) are a better option due to their UV resistance and longer flexibility.

Four front door finishes and how to choose the best one include spar varnish, exterior oil, epoxy sealer, and paint. Wood finishes for doors include varnish, polyurethane, and lacquer for durable protection against moisture and wear. Stains enhance the look of the door. For front doors, glossy or semi-gloss paints are commonly used, but flat or eggshell finishes are also an option.

Should I polyurethane my front door?

Wood doors are a beautiful addition to any home, and for superior protection, use high-quality polyurethane finishes. ZAR®’s oil-based polyurethanes offer quality protection and are user-friendly. Application methods are generally the same, but proper preparation and time are crucial for a smooth, even coat. ZAR® products make it easy to achieve a beautiful, clean finish for wood door projects.

What is the most popular hardware finish in 2024?

In 2024, door hardware is expected to dominate with three finishes: vintage bronze, matte black, and satin brass. These finishes offer unique styles and aesthetics, with vintage bronze providing warmth and elegance in contemporary homes. Matte black is bold and sophisticated, while satin brass offers versatility and elegance. Bathroom design choices are trending in an earthy, natural direction, and interior designers and DIYers are moving away from chrome hardware towards warmer metal finishes.

This trend is expected to make vintage bronze, satin brass, and satin nickel bathroom hardware more common. Stone Harbor Hardware offers a large inventory of hardware pieces in various finishes, allowing customers to find the perfect solution for their needs.

What is the most common exterior finish?

The most prevalent exterior finish types in the United States are siding, stucco, and brick veneer.

What finish is best for exterior doors?

Polyurethane is a durable, moisture-resistant clear finish that is particularly well-suited for use on wooden entry doors. To apply, two coats should be applied, with a light sanding between each coat. The application of a fresh coat should be repeated every two years. The product enhances the natural beauty of wood, provides excellent durability, and is straightforward to apply and maintain.

What is the best sheen for exterior 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.

Is semi gloss or low sheen better for doors?

The selection of a sheen for doors is contingent upon the desired aesthetic effect. In this regard, a higher sheen finish, such as semi-gloss or high-gloss, is recommended. This is a more straightforward cleaning process and a more durable finish, which collectively contribute to its status as the most prevalent aesthetic finish for doors.

What is the best Sherwin Williams finish for exterior?

The optimal exterior surface finishes are satin or eggshell, as they provide a smooth and refined appearance. However, matte paint can effectively conceal minor imperfections. The selection of paint color and sheen is of paramount importance with regard to the final appearance and durability of the project. Popular sheens and their associated benefits can assist in making an optimal choice, as they can enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of a given project.

What paint is best for external doors?

Dulux exterior paint is a high-quality exterior door paint, with varying preferences for gloss or matt finishes. Trade-quality paint is recommended for better protection and finish. The color paint for a front door should match the property’s appearance, such as window frames, roofline, and guttering, to create a uniform aesthetic. However, stains and scratches are more visible on gloss finishes. Trade-quality paint is available from builders merchants across the UK.

What is the best coating for a front door?

Exterior door paints, which are typically acrylic resin or latex-based, are available in semi-gloss finishes. Latex-based paint is the most flexible and popular option, capable of filling in larger imperfections and resisting cracking and chipping on the door’s surface.

Should front doors be gloss or satin?

A front door can be painted in satin or gloss finish, with gloss being more durable and easier to clean. However, some people are hesitant to use gloss due to its perceived downsides, such as preparation and thickness. However, many water-based gloss paints, like Andrew Martin’s excellent version, are water-based, require minimal preparation, have zero odor, and are easy to apply and work with.

Priming a front door before painting is generally recommended, using an appropriate primer to ensure the paint adheres to the surface. An undercoat provides a medium film to give the new color opacity and help cover over previously painted surfaces. Overall, a front door should be primed to ensure the paint adheres to the surface and provides a smooth, easy-to-clean surface.

What is the most durable finish for exterior door hardware?

In the case of applications that require durability, the optimal finishes are stainless steel and satin chrome. This is because these finishes are capable of undergoing changes over time, which may result in a loss of appeal.