Everything You Need To Know About Exterior Door Painting

Painting your front door is a great way to boost curb appeal and add character to the exterior of your home. Help protect your door from normal wear and tear with proper exterior door painting.

Adding a pop of color to your block can help sell your home if that is your goal. And certain colors can make your home appear more inviting than other colors. Overall, a front door makeover is always a fun project.

When you are ready to paint your front door, there are certain precautions and steps you need to take to properly paint your front door. Here is everything you need to know about painting your exterior door.

What Kind of Paint

When painting an exterior door, it is important that you choose the proper paint. Choose a paint that is labeled exterior paint, and ideally fade-resistant. Some paints won’t adhere properly to your door and certain colors and finishes will fade fast and chip easily.

Opt for water-based paint if your door is fiberglass, pine, or any wood that doesn’t bleed. Go for oil-based paint if your door is metal, cypress wood, or cedar.

You will also want to choose durable paint like semi-gloss or high-gloss paint.

Best Exterior Door Colors of 2021

Arguably, the most important part of painting your exterior door is choosing the color for your door.

Get samples of possible colors before choosing one. While painting your exterior door isn’t a timely task, taking it off the hinges a few times might get a little old.

Avoid this by picking a color that complements the outside of your home. Paint small swatches on your door and let them dry before deciding on which shade to go with. A color may look great in the store, or even when it’s wet, but when it is dry and covering your door, you might not like it so much.

The Meaning of Colors

The Chinese concept of Feng Shui is based around human life and being connected and flowing with the environment around it. Feng Shui has specific suggested colors for the way your door faces.

A color that the Chinese absolutely do not recommend painting your front door is black unless it is facing North. South, East, and Westward facing doors should avoid black at all costs.

Historically, all colors have meanings, the meaning may be different depending on the culture. Yellow is the color that catches the most attention. It is the color of happiness, creativity, and joy. Blue is the color of inspiration, serenity, and stability.

Door Hardware & Upgraded Locks

While you’re upgrading your door color, you might as well replace your door hardware as well. Bring the old hardware with you to the store to match up the sizes so you don’t have to drill any new holes.

Consider investing in a smart lock to modernize your home security and the look of your door! If your front door doesn’t have a deadbolt, you might want to take this opportunity to put one in. Standard security procedures would recommend every exterior door have a deadbolt for added protection.

Exterior Door Painting Process

It’s best to work outside when you are painting your front door, any mess that you make will be easier to clean up outside. Any fumes from the paint won’t pollute the air in your home if you paint outside.

First, remove the door from its hinges and lay it on a tarp or old sheet on your lawn. Next, remove all the hardware that is on the door including the handle. If you don’t want to remove the doorknob, be sure to cover and tape it up well so that no paint gets on it.

Prep your door by sanding any rough patches and removing any flaking paint. Wash and wipe down the entire door and let it dry completely. If the color is changing drastically, it may require you to sand the entire door. Apply painter’s tape to any windows and areas you don’t want to be painted.

Prime The Door

You don’t always need a primer, but it is a good idea to use one for a smoother and more durable finish. Buy a primer that is a similar color to the paint, or white, which is the standard primer color.

The paint you choose might come as a paint and primer in one, which would make it much easier.

Paint Paint Paint

Start by painting the edges and corners first, making sure you are painting with the grain of the wood. Once those have a coat on them, paint any edging around the raised areas. Next, paint the raised areas.

Let each coat dry completely before applying another coat. Paint at least two coats of paint, more if it needs more coverage.

The door should dry for at least two hours before you put the door back up.

Reattach

The last step will be to reattach any hardware and put the door back on the hinges. Install your new smart lock if you have chosen one, or reinstall your old lock.

Hire a Local Painter

Exterior door painting can be a hassle. It isn’t time-consuming, but it is tedious. Hiring a local pro is always a great option. A professional will make sure the job is done to the highest standards and you won’t have any mess to clean up!

Texas Painting and Gutters can have the job done quickly and efficiently. Give us a call and we can get to work!