DIY Home Projects: 10 Tips for Painting Your Front Door
January 10th, 2024
DIY Home Projects: Painting Your Front Door
Are you interested in boosting your curb appeal with a freshly painted front door? Check out ten tips and tricks on painting your front door affordably.
Are you tired of looking at your old painted front door, wanting to improve your curb appeal, or intersted in adding a pop of color to your house? Well, it's a good thing painting your front door is an easy and affordable DIY project anyone and everyone can do. Customizing your home is a simple task and dramatically impacts the home's appearance.
Over time, paint can wear and tear. Since the front door is usually the main thing that everyone sees, it is essential to keep up the appearance of the front door for yourself, the HOA, buyers, or the neighborhoods.
If you are looking for something to spruce up your home that is affordable and easily customizable, this DIY project may be the perfect thing for you to do. Painting is a simple task; however, if you forget or skip specific steps, the final outcome will not be the best. So here are some tips and tricks to get the perfect, smooth final outcome.
Here are the tips and tricks on how to paint your front door.
Chapters
1. Choosing the Paint
Since your door is exposed to many things, choosing a high-quality exterior paint that can hold the moisture and temperatures where you live is essential. The higher-quality paints will allow for less fading, and the satin will allow for more washability and protection.
Semi-gloss and high gloss finish paint can also be used for a bold and shiny look. However, this kind of paint may not last as long as the other, and you will have more upkeep over the years.
Next, you will need to choose the color for your door. Picking the right paint color can completely change the look of your home. A brighter color paint can make the whole front of the home pop, and darker shades may make the house look more elegant. Depending on whether you want a vibrant pop of color or one that syncs with the rest of the home, the color is up to you.
However, if you live in a neighborhood with an HOA, you must read and review the rules and guidelines for painting your home to ensure you do not get fined for anything.
2. Remove Door
Removing the door is an optional step to take, but removing the door and hardware may make this job easier for you and will make the end results look more professional. If you remove the door, handle, and lock, make sure you put it away safely. If you choose not to, you can tape off the hardware with painter's tape.
Obliterating the door may also help you prevent drips and runs and let you work in another well-ventilated area. You may have to have someone to help you unscrew the hinges, and you will also want to set the door on a sturdy surface while you prep, sand, and paint the door.
3. Pre-Paint Prep
Before you start doing anything, you will want to clean, dry, and dull the door. Start by washing the door with warm water and wipe it dry. You may use a scrubber sponge or brush for more challenging areas that need to be cleaned. You will want to wait for the door to be completely dry before continuing to the next step. You want to make sure you do not trap any moisture.
You will also want to sand the door down. Using a 120-grit sandpaper gently in the direction of the wood grain is recommended. This step will help you prepare the surface for the new layers of paint and primer. If the door is in rough shape or peeling, you may need to use a different grit dander or spend extra time.
After this, you will want to use a tack cloth to remove any dust or debris before painting anything so no small particles are trapped in the moisture.
4. Tape Off Edges
This is a very simple and fast step, taping off all the edges. Lay down a drop of clothes around the door to catch any drips or spills, and then apply painter's tape around any decorative details and the edges that you do not want to paint. Some people may want to skip this step if they are good at painting; however, this step will only help you.
5. Apply Primer Coat
Priming is a very important step that you do not want to miss out on because it ensures smooth and consistent coverage and proper adhesion. A lot of high-quality exterior pants allow for application right over a prepared door.
Make sure you use the primer that is compatible with the paint you are using. Using a paintbrush to apply a coat of primer to all the bevels, edges, and inside the corners is recommended. You may need to use a low nap roller to prime the trails and other parts of the door.
You need to ensure you prime both sides of the door and wait for the primer to dry completely before you flip the door and start priming another coat. If any of the primer drips or gets chunky, you may need to lightly sand the surface to smooth it out before you begin to paint.
6. Apply Door Paint
Once the primer is completely dried, you will want to get ready to paint the door. You will need to start off by stirring the pain tup and painting in strokes from top to down using a wide brush for corners and a small roller for the flat sides. Making long strokes with the brush may be easiest, and then use a dry cloth to clean up any visible lines.
Like the primer step, you will want to wait for the paint to fully dry before you turn the door over to paint the next side. You will want to do at least two coats of paint to the door, sometimes three or more, if you want to increase the color saturation.
However, there is no right or wrong way to paint the door. It is recommended to paint the door in the following order: bevels, panels, center, rails, and then the outer side. This is only there to help ensure the paint is even and smooth for a professional finish.
Sometimes, it may be easier to paint with a brush since sometimes a foam roller may leave bubbles behind. If you also want the paint to dry correctly and faster, it is better to let it dry at room temperature. If you do not wait long enough, visible brush strokes will occur or might not cure correctly.
7. Apply Topcoat
Similar to the previous two steps, you will want to use a paintbrush to paint all the bevels, edges, and inside of the corners. Painting the panels and sides may be easier with a foam roller; however, it is up to you what you choose to use. Just be aware of the steps you need to take to ensure a professional, smooth finish.
Allow the paint to dry completely before you paint the other side of the door. It is recommended also to do two coats of top coat. The last thing you want to do is skip the protecting step. Adding the top coat will only help your paint to last longer and not chip.
Remember that some exterior paints may have built-in anti-chip or scratch-proof properties. However, getting a top coat to put on top of your paint is still recommended to ensure it will last. You do not want to waste all the hard work you did by not protecting it.
8. Dry and Reattach
After your paint has completely dried, you will want to reinstall all the hardware on the door as well as add the door back into the frame. Reinstall the door by aligning the hinges together and reintersting the hinge pins; this may be a tricky step, so be patient. You will know it is dry and ready to reattach when the paint no longer feels tacky.
After you have attached the door and all the hardware, you will want to clean up the area to ensure you do not get any paint on unwanted things. If your door has a window or extra pieces, you will want to scrap off gently as well as remove any painter's tape that is still on the door.
9. When to Paint
It is best to paint your front door in the spring or fall on a day with excellent weather. Depending on the location you live, summer may be too hot, and winter may be too cold for painting. The prier, paint, and sealant labels have instructions telling you the temperature limitations so you can check the weather beforehand to ensure it is perfect.
You also want to make sure you do not paint your door when there is no rain or snow. If it happens unexpectedly, make sure to protect the door with plastic or a tarp. On the plus side, it will only take you about a day, maybe two, to paint the door.
10. Tools and Supplies Needed
Here is a little list of recommended and needed tools and supplies to paint your front door to help out your shopping list.
- Cleaning cloth
- Sandpaper
- Drop cloth
- Painter tape
- Primer
- Exterior paint
- Topcoat
- Screwdriver
- Paintbrush (2-3 inch angled recommended)
- Paint roller (4 inches is recommended)
FAQS
What is the most welcoming color for a front door?
The best color for a front door can vary depending on the house's aesthetic and your personal preferences. The most popular overall bold colors are red, navy, blue, or deep green because they are welcoming and eye-catching.
What is the easiest paint for a front door?
Since the door is exposed to sun, rain, wind, and other things, you will need a resistant paint that is flexible and high quality. The most common kinds of exterior paint are acrylic resin or latex-based and with a semi-gloss finish.
What should I paint my front door with?
If you do not have a glass or a storm door that stands between your door and the outside, you will want a glossy and protective finish so the paint can last and look polished and shiny for a professional finish.
Should I use a roller or paintbrush to paint my front door?
Front door paint can be applied with either a brush or roller. However, professionals tend to use a roller. However, since the door has many panels and edges, you may want an angle brush to get in all the panels, and then you can finish off with a roller to smooth it out.
DIY Home Projects: Painting Your Front Door - The Bottom Line
Painting your front door is a straightforward task you can do on your own that does not take long or much money. Many people love customizing their homes, so being able to paint your own appliances is fun and a perfect project on a nice day.
If you are looking for something to spruce up your home that is affordable and easily customizable, this DIY project may be the perfect thing for you to do. Painting is a simple task; however, if you forget or skip specific steps, the final outcome will not be the best. So here are some tips and tricks to get the perfect, smooth final outcome.
Over time, paint can wear and tear. Since the front door is usually the main thing that everyone sees, it is essential to keep up the front door's appearance for yourself, the HOA, buyers, or the neighborhoods.
If you are considering moving or selling, contact us or visit our website. Our team at Raleigh Realty is here to help you with any home buying or selling needs.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!
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