what’s the best paint for a front door? the conscientious buyer’s guide

If the façade of your home is its “face”, then a newly painted front door is like a bright shade of lipstick, completing the look and enhancing all natural features. It’s not an overstretch to say that finding the best paint for your front door, is a sure-fire way to make a good first impression.

The colour and finish of a front door say a lot about a person and a fresh coat of paint can transform a dreary entranceway into a work of art. With a high-quality exterior door paint you can add aesthetic value to your property and protect it from everything the outside world throws at it.

let’s talk front door paint: what type of paint should you be using?

Whether you envision an understated, smart exterior or something more akin to the playful vibe of Dublin’s famous Georgian front doors, getting the right paint for your front door job is key.

Naturally, your front door paint should offer maximum protection from the elements, be durable and long-lasting, and, of course, provide a lookbook-worthy finish. Which leads us to the question, what credentials should we be on the lookout for? Here are a few to take note of:

• Lifespan
• Durability
• Coverage
• Preparation
• Ease of application
• Drying time
• Environmental impact
• Colour and finish

stick to water-based paints

Sometimes it’s difficult to know whether to go water-based or oil-based. Here’s our cue to simplify things: there’s rarely any reason to opt for an oil-based paint as water-based is simply better!

Water-based exterior paints retain their colour beautifully, dry quickly and have a lower VOC content (so more environmentally friendly than conventional paints!). Sometimes oil-based paints are more durable, but water-based alternatives will match these results or even outdo them – that’s three benefits versus one! Not so difficult a decision after all…

go for a self-priming paint

Here’s a secret… You don’t necessarily have to buy a door paint and a primer when they could be one and the same. Traditionalists may prefer to apply one layer of primer followed by layers of a separate paint, but modern paint technology has made this method redundant, so you can skip out on primers if you so desire.

This being said, it’s always a good idea to check whether you need a primer when coating bare timber. Some timbers require priming and some need stain blockers before painting to prevent the tannin bleeding through the paint film – important stuff!

Using a separate primer

Is anything more to say on primers? And when exactly are they necessary? Paint primers are designed to create a solid base layer for the colour to stick to, so as a good rule of thumb you might want to use one in the following circumstances:

• When the surface is porous
• When changing the colour from dark to light
• When the previous coat is glossy
• When touching up a surface covered in imperfections.

the best paint brands for your front door

best all-rounder

Bradite ONE CAN is a paint as versatile as they come. Perfect for all sorts of exterior projects, including UPVC doors, it bonds well to all metals, woods and building plastics – practically covering any type of front door. With a 30-minute drying period, you can recoat in one hour, making the job an easy one.

best eco alternatives

farrow & ball

Here are some more high performing multi-surface paints, ideal for giving your front door a new lease of life. Completely water-based and therefore low VOC and low odour, Farrow and Ball’s Exterior Eggshell and Full Gloss hold the answer to tricky DIY jobs and eco-friendly decorating.

If you want to go for a bolder statement go for the full gloss, but if it’s something more subtle you’re after opt for the sophisticated eggshell finish. For exterior woodwork Farrow and Ball recommend using a wood primer and undercoat for both before you get the paint on.

little greene

Another good alternative to traditional paints is Little Greene’s Intelligent Eggshell or Intelligent Gloss. Both are extremely hardwearing and fully washable, not to mention the fact that their water-based formula is designed to be low VOC, keeping your home and your lungs healthier.

best for weather resistance

When it comes to exterior wood, Sadolin Superdec provides a highly durable finish that will protect wooden front doors for many years to come. It can be applied to doors that have been previously painted or stained and resists fissuring, chipping and peeling.

best for bare wood

If you plan to paint on bare wood surfaces, GORI Opaque Wood Finish has everything you’ll need. Two coats of the stuff on front door will provide up to 15 years of optimal protection and durability, ideal if you want the finish to stay attractive for years to come. This paint comes in both brilliant white or colourmatch, ensuring you achieve that perfect shade.

what finish should I go for?

Your front door paint finish is much more than a simple matter of taste. Your choice of paint finish may affect how long the paint lasts and its suitability to the outdoors. Here are your main 4.

gloss

When we picture a brightly coloured front door, more often than not it will be a glossy one. This finish reflects the most light at 60-100% sheen, so it will certainly help your door stand out from the crowd.

Be extra careful when you apply it mind – glossy paints will highlight imperfections on the surface of the door, so you’ll want to take care during the painting process.

eggshell

Eggshell is a classic choice that looks particularly striking on wood front doors. Named after its slightly textured finish (similar to an egg’s), it provides a gorgeously subtle sheen. This low-lustre paint finish is ideal if you’re looking for something not quite matt and not too shiny.

satin

Paint with a satin sheen is silky smooth and provides a beautiful gloss ideal for areas that are frequently used or touched – and that means doors! If you want to achieve a lovely sheen without it being overly shiny, opt for this finish.

matt

While glossy and semi-gloss paints are popular finishes for front doors, flatter finishes are also an option (albeit a rare one).

When contemplating using a matt finish paint, remember that it might not be as scrubbable as a glossier finish. It might also show imperfections like nicks and scratches more clearly.

anything to avoid?

Whatever you do, make sure that your paint of choice clearly indicates it’s for external use. While it might be tempting to pick up a cheap door paint, it will come as a shock when it fades in double the time!

and how much will I need?

Now you’ve chosen the best paint for your front door, you need to work out how much you will need. First and foremost, you should always check the coverage guidelines on the side of the can.

Broadly speaking, one full litre of paint will be enough for three coats on an average front door, and this includes every part of its surface: front, back, bottom and sides.

closing the door on front door paints

Getting the type, brand and finish right calls for a little research, but we hope that this post has shown that picking out the best front door paint for the job isn’t that hard when there’s so much to choose from!

It’s time to close the door on the topic of front door paints for now, but in the meantime peruse the rest of our blog for more DIY insights and helpful hints.