Which Paint Finish Is Appropriate For Interior Doors?

This guide provides tips on how to paint interior doors, including the use of high-quality latex-based paint for inside doors and tougher epoxy paint for external doors like front doors. To paint interior doors, follow these steps:

1. Remove the door from its hinges and tap out the pins in the door hinges. Place the sharp end of the nail at the door’s hinge.
2. Choose a durable paint finish in a semi-gloss or glossy sheen, which makes the door easy to clean.
3. Paint in a well-ventilated area or use a fan to circulate the air.
4. Consider using a urethane, alkyd, or oil paint for the exterior of the door.
5. Sherwin-Williams Semi-Gloss Pro Classic is a top recommendation for the best interior paint for doors.
6. While there are numerous door colors to choose from, white or gray is generally the best choice for the interior. Semi-gloss and satin finishes are generally the top picks due to their balance of durability, ease of cleaning, and aesthetic versatility.
7. The best paint finish for trims and doors is typically a semi-gloss or high-gloss finish, as they are durable, easy to clean, and provide a professional-looking look. By following these steps, you can add a pop of color to any room in your home and achieve a professional-looking paint job.

Is satin or semi-gloss better for doors and trim?

Trims, such as baseboards, mouldings, window frames, doors, and cabinets, require a durable paint finish due to frequent contact with bicycle tires, stroller wheels, and makeup-streaked hands. Semi-gloss paint is a great choice for these areas, as it is more durable and easier to clean. However, it also reveals more imperfections, making them stand out.

There is a standard sheen level range for paint finishes, with traditional semi-gloss paint ranging between 35-70. Clare’s Trim Paint, in the 40-50 range, offers a more subtle sheen, known as Subtle Semi-Gloss. This radiant sheen is perfect for high-touch surfaces and stands up to the toughest wear and tear.

Ceilings should be the first surface to be painted, as they can quickly transform the ambience of a space. A flat white paint finish is the best choice for ceilings, as it reduces glare from artificial lights and helps reflect natural light, making the room feel brighter and more open. Our Ceiling Paint offers the perfect flat white finish for ceilings, providing even coverage with minimal splatter and high hiding power to conceal surface imperfections and get the job done in fewer coats.

Is eggshell or satin better for doors?

Satin paint is versatile and can be applied to woodwork, metal, walls, ceilings, hallways, kitchen joinery, stairs, and floors to brighten a room. Its wipeability makes it a practical choice for hallways, kitchen joinery, stairs, and floors. Farrow and Ball’s Modern Eggshell floor paint is especially durable, while Little Greene’s Intelligent Floor Paint is equally suitable for general interior woodwork.

When used properly, paint finishes can draw attention to or distract from a particular feature in a room. For beautiful architraves and skirtings, use a contrasting satin sheen, or paint them in the same finish as the walls to blend in.

What paint finish do interior designers use?

Water-based latex paint in an eggshell finish is the most popular type for interior walls, ceilings, doors, and trim. There are three main types of house paint: eggshell, semigloss, and matte. Eggshell is durable and easy to clean, semigloss is great for accents and trim, and matte is great for older walls to hide imperfections.

The paint finish can change color, but the differences are subtle. High-gloss paint makes colors look more vibrant and saturated, while gloss and semigloss add a sense of glamour and vividness. Satin finishes have a smooth, gentle glow and more sheen than eggshell, making colors appear brighter. It is recommended to test samples on a small section of the wall under different lighting conditions to find the best paint type for your needs.

What is the most common paint finish for interior doors?

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.

Is eggshell or satin better for living rooms?

Eggshell enamel, with its velvety texture, is optimal for moderate traffic areas such as living rooms. Conversely, satin enamel, with its pearl-like appearance, is optimal for moderate to high traffic areas or areas with moisture exposure, such as kitchens or bathrooms.

Should I use a brush or roller to paint a door?

Paint brushes are a versatile tool for the application of paint, particularly for interior doors. With experience, the technique of brushing becomes more straightforward. The use of foam rollers facilitates the process, preventing the formation of drip marks and ensuring a uniform finish. It is recommended that both tools be used in conjunction to achieve the best results, as they provide a more even finish and prevent drip marks.

What kind of paint should I use for interior doors?

Interior acrylic-latex paint is recommended for doors with eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss sheens, and one gallon of paint is needed for every five doors, as each door is 68 square feet. Most paintable interior doors come pre-primed, but bare wood doors should be stained and coated. Clear pine and unfinished wood veneer doors should be stained and clear-coated, not painted. If painting these doors, they should be primed with two coats of interior primer.

Should interior doors be painted gloss or satin?

Interior doors can be painted with an eggshell, satin, or gloss finish depending on the desired durability and aesthetics. Eggshell offers a modern look, while gloss provides the most durability against scratches and knocks. To paint interior doors, follow these steps: choose the paint, primer, paint brush, mini-roller, various grit sandpaper, dust sheet, masking tape, and tack cloth. Before starting, ensure the door is ready to be painted, as this is crucial for achieving long-lasting results.

What is the best paint resistant to scratches on interior doors?

Benjamin Moore Scuff X is a durable latex-based paint suitable for woodwork, walls, and metal trim. Available in Satin, Eggshell, and Matt finishes, it is resistant to scuffs, scratches, and general wear and tear. It requires minimal maintenance and is ideal for interior doors, skirtings, and sills. Scuff X can be washed, wiped, or scrubbed without damaging the color or finish. It has a low odor despite medium VOC and dries quickly. Available in 3, 500 colors, Scuff X is scratch, scratch, and general wear and tear resistant.

Crown Trade Fastflow Quick Dry Satin is a water-based, durable satin paint designed for interior joinery like doors. It has excellent opacity, a smooth, low-sheen finish, and all the characteristics of a traditional oil-based paint, with added benefits like quick drying, low odor, and non-yellowing.

How do you get a smooth finish when painting an interior door?

In the case of a plain door, it is recommended that a foam roller be used to apply the paint, with an angled brush employed for the sides. It is advisable to avoid the formation of roller lap marks and to smooth the paint surface with a lightly loaded roller. In the case of a panel door, it is recommended to utilise an angled brush for the recessed areas and to apply paint to the raised areas. The paint should be rolled down the center of the door with the aid of a foam roller. This process ensures a smooth and clean finish.

How many coats of paint do interior doors need?

In order to achieve an even finish on internal doors, it is typically necessary to apply two coats of paint, provided that the door is properly primed and the paint is of good quality. The most commonly used treatments for unfinished natural wood internal doors include wax or oil, stain and varnish, primer, undercoat, and topcoat. It is recommended that a test patch be applied initially to ascertain the desired final appearance.