Few projects around your home provide a refreshing ‘Wow’ factor with improved curb appeal like simply refreshing a new paint color on the front door. Here are a few tips to consider before you tackle a front door painting project.

When to paint your front door

As a Househappy homeowner, you know almost every aspect of your home requires regular maintenance and upkeep, including your front door. You may need to refresh over paint chips and regular wear, or you could be looking for a pop of color to spice up the look.

Ideally, you’ll want to shoot for a clear, sunny, and temperate day for the best paint drying conditions.

Choosing a color

If you’re uncertain about an array of colors, you can try taping paint chips to your door to get a feel for the direction you’d like to go. If you’ve narrowed it down to just a few colors, we suggest purchasing a few samples of paint to compare a larger swatch next to one another. Compare the color at different times of day to contrast how daylight affects the look of each color.

Which paint to use

For a primed front door, you’ll want one quart of exterior paint with a glossy finish. Glossy paint will visually stand out more and it’s more durable against nicks and scrapes, as opposed to more vulnerable flat finishing paints. Most importantly, you’ll need to be consistent between using latex or oil-based paint, especially for touchups—do not paint oil over latex paint or vice-versa.

Prep door for painting

You can paint the door in place, but if you have a second door (screen door, glass, etc.) you’ll want to remove it from the hinges. If you’re painting the door a completely new color, be sure to remove all the door’s hardware before priming the door before painting. Be sure to wipe the door clean with a wet rag and use a sander or sandpaper to remove imperfections before beginning your painting.

Finally, how to paint

Start by completely covering the door with primer using a roller. Once the primer coat is dry, use a paintbrush to take care of any trim work details on the door. Next, time for the main coat. You can use a low-nap, foam roller or a paintbrush. Although, a paintbrush will give you a nice ‘hand-painted’ textured look. If you opt for a roller, you can still use a brush for the final coat to achieve this look. If you removed the door, allow it dry completely before reattaching the hardware and rehanging.

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