How to Paint Your Front Door

Painting your front door is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to give your home a complete makeover. All you need is a can of fresh paint to boost your curb appeal, refresh the exterior of your home, and fix up any signs of daily wear and tear. The best part is, it only takes about a day to get it all done.

Time for a home exterior upgrade? Whether you’re just doing a touch-up or you’re transforming the look of your door, here are some painting tips to look over before you pick up the brush.

1. Pick the Right Paint

For an exterior door, you’ll probably need at least one quart of paint — not including the primer. Make sure you look for paint specifically labeled for exterior use. It’ll need to handle rain, sun, wind, and other elements, so you’ll need a kind of paint that’s durable, flexible, and mold-resistant.

While most exterior door paints come in a semi-gloss finish, you can go for matte, eggshell, or high gloss if you prefer a different look.

2. Wait For the Perfect Time

Keep in mind that it might take some time for you to perfect your paint job and let everything dry. This could mean painting in the morning and giving it the rest of the day to dry, or it could mean painting in the late afternoon so it can dry all night.

Whenever you paint, try to avoid direct sunlight or high humidity to keep the paint in top condition.

3. Prep, Prep, Prep

If you jump straight into it with the paintbrush, you could end up with a less than desirable finish. To make sure it looks just how you want it, be sure to take time to prepare.

This means sanding the surface, cleaning it, and priming it to keep things smooth and ready for painting. The door should either be removed from its hinges or the hardware should be carefully covered in painters’ tape.

4. Start With the Details

After the primer has completely dried, it’s time to do your detail work. Using a fine paintbrush, go over any trim work or finer details on the door. This is your chance to get the delicate work done with a smaller brush before you go in with a bigger one.

5. Paint the Rest of the Door

Now it’s time to paint the bulk of the door. Going in with a roller can make things quick and give you a nice smooth finish. But using a brush — even if just for the final layer — can give you more of an authentic, hand-painted look. Depending on the type of paint, you might need a second or third layer to make sure it doesn’t look patchy.

Painting Your Front Door in Five Easy Steps

Once the door is painted and dried, all that’s left to do is reinstall the door and put your hardware back on. A good quality paint job will protect your door for years to come, while also giving your home exterior a much-needed refresh.

Ready to change the look of your home and make a great first impression? It might be time for a brand new door. Take a look at our selection to find the perfect fit for your home.