How to paint your front door

As your front door gives visitors the first impressions of your home, giving it personality and matching it to your home’s décor is key. This doesn’t mean replacing it for something more fitting but giving it a freshen up with a lick of paint.

Find out how’s best to paint your front door in this article, giving it a much-needed revamp.

What should you do before you start painting your front door?

Painting your front door involves more than just applying a quick coat of paint. Before you begin, it’s important to remove its hardware so it doesn’t get covered in paint. Your door’s hardware consists of the knocker, letter box, peep hole and house number.

Don’t worry if you can’t remove any hardware, you can easily cover it up with some masking tape.

Next, you’ll need to clean your door. Sugar soap is a great way to remove dirt, grease and stains without damaging the wood. If you find there is a build-up of algae, we recommend you use an algae remover for best results.

Do I need to sand my front door before I paint it?

Yes. The first step of prepping your front door for painting is to sand it down. You can use a sander, but good old-fashioned sandpaper works perfectly. As a top tip, wrapping a sheet of sandpaper around a block will help you keep a firm grip and will prevent any accidents to yourself and the door.

For reference, there are different varieties of sandpaper to suit each strength of wood. It’s important to know if your door has been painted before as this can affect which grit of sandpaper you use. If your door has never been painted before or it’s bare wood, using 100 to 120 grit sandpaper is your best bet. When sanding, you should always sand in the direction of the woodgrain to help maintain a smooth surface, and keep the natural look of the wood intact. It also helps the paint adhere better.

If your door has been painted before, lightly sand it down using 180 to 220 grit sandpaper. For flaky, cracked or peeling doors, 120 grit sandpaper will work perfectly to reach bare wood. Doors of a poorer condition will require extra care when using 60 to 100 grit sandpaper and sanding softly. There is also the option to buy a sanding kit, which specifies which sheet to use based on the condition of your door.

If you have a composite or uPVC door, don’t sand it. Cleaning it with soap and water is all it needs before a prep coat. To create a matte look, apply a layer of slick stick paint and let it dry before you begin your painting project. As uPVC doors are very common in the UK, it's important to know what material your front door is made from before starting to work on it. The painting process doesn’t differ too much, but the prep stage can have an impact based on your type of door.

Do I need a prep coat when painting my front door?

A prep coat is a vital stage in the painting process as it helps to prepare your door for its topcoat of paint, and helps the paint adhere and last longer. Before you begin applying your prep coat, make sure you have wiped down the door to prevent any dust, dirt and wood shavings from mixing with the paint.

A prep coat is achieved by using a primer. Primers are typically white but if your door is particularly dark, it’s worth using a tinted primer. You can get two types of primers: oil-based and water-based. Oil-based primers are great for darker colours and stain blockers, however water-based primers are more weather-resistant, and can endure most outdoor conditions.

Is an undercoat and sealer needed when painting my front door?

An undercoat is a great way to prepare your door for a paint job as it enhances the colour you’ve chosen. This is also a vital stage for those who are changing their door colour entirely. You should apply two to three layers of undercoat paint while sanding gently between coats for maximum effect.

We recommend using a sealer to cover any unseen gaps or cracks in the wood, while preventing the top coat from soaking into the wood and causing any potential long-term damage. Sealer is a great way to futureproof your paint job as it makes for an easier process when you go to repaint your door. Sealer can also create a water-resistant layer between the wood and the paint which is ideal for front doors which have to withstand harsh weather conditions.

What colour should I paint my front door?

Choosing the right front door paint colour takes some consideration. Not only should you go with a colour you like, but you should consider how this will match with your outdoors, including your brickwork, your porch area or decorative garden pieces such as plants or garden furnishings.

For inspiration, natural colours help to create a calm and tranquil feeling that can translate the natural ambience of your home. On the other hand, bright colours can create a wow-factor, and each shade also has a different meaning - such as blue representing causality and yellow emanating an inviting feeling. Or the classic white and black tend to lend themselves more towards a sleek and sophisticated demeanour. It’s also worth considering if you want to paint the frame the same colour as your door or if you’d like to explore fun and interesting contrasts.

Painting Tips

What is the best paint for a front door?

Semi-gloss paints are a popular choice for painting front doors. Like with primers, there are two main types of paint: oil-based and water-based. It’s important to match the type of paint to the kind of primer you used. For example, if you used an oil-based primer, make sure you use an oil-based paint and topcoat too.

How’s best to paint a front door?

When painting, make sure your paint strokes are in the same direction as the wood grains. You’ll also need to apply more than one coat for maximum effect. If your door is bevelled, it helps to start in the difficult folds and creases before one smooth stroke at the end. Remember not to overload the paint brush as this can cause brush marks on the door or leave unwanted drips and bubbles visible.

Once you have finished your topcoat, many DIY-ers like to add a final overcoat, such as a clear varnish. While this isn’t a necessity, it’s great for providing an extra layer of protection against outdoor conditions

What tools do I need to paint my front door?

You’ll need different tools at different stages when painting your front door. For insurance, when prepping and sanding, it’s important that you wear a dust mask and goggles. These are recommended as they give you extra protection from paint splats and fumes.

Certain paints and primers will require the use of different brushes too. Synthetic brushes are a safe choice for all coats and paint types. However, for the best application of oil-based paints, opt for a natural bristle brush. The size of the paint bristles you use is down to your personal preference and the size of your door. A mini roller is perfect for flat doors and for applying a smooth finish once you’ve applied your topcoat.

On top of this, don’t forget the rest of the tools that have been discussed throughout this article, including sandpaper and a sandpaper block, sugar soap, a cloth, your desired primer, undercoat, topcoat and overcoat.

When is the best time of year to paint my front door?

The best time of year to paint your front door is spring or early autumn. While it would be nice to be outside in the sunshine while painting your door, direct sunlight and high levels of heat can diminish the quality of your paint job. Most importantly, it’ll dry your paint too quickly and make it harder to achieve a smooth finish.

It goes without saying that you should also avoid wet weather. Not only is it a less inviting experience for you, but your paints will be affected by the water contact.

We hope you have all the tips and tricks you need to paint your front door, giving it that much-needed transformation. To ensure your painted door stays in pristine condition, find out how to care for your doors in our article.