Which paint finish is best for exterior doors?

It may be beneficial to paint garage, side, and external doors rarely used to match the siding. Semi-gloss paint finish can produce some glare from sunlight when applied to a wide surface, such as a garage door (which frequently faces the street). The finest outside paint for these doors is premium flat paint. Front doors are not required to match the trim on the rest of the house, and they are frequently painted in a distinct colour and shine as a focal feature. If your door is in good shape, it will look best painted with a warm or enjoyable semi-gloss hue.

Which paint should I use on the front door?

The paint that is made specially for outside surfaces is the ideal paint for a front door. For front doors, glossy or semi-gloss paints are frequently used, but flat or eggshell finishes are also an option. When contemplating flat paint, remember that it is more difficult to clean and will show nicks and scrapes more clearly than glossy paint. A high gloss front door paint will draw attention to your door and emphasise its architectural characteristics.

Next, you should consider whether latex, water-based, or oil-based paint is best. Whichever option you select, check that the primer has the same formula. Sure, latex paints are simpler to use, quicker to clean up and dry quickly. Oil-based paints, however, are more durable and can withstand severe weather the best. Oil-based paints will require a longer drying period, and you’ll need turpentine or paint thinner to clear up any spills.

For your home, the best exterior paint finishes.

Paint sheen is more than just a matter of taste; paint finishes on the siding, trim, doors, and other exterior surfaces impact how long the paint lasts. Professional painters often employ one of four different paint sheens on the exteriors of houses, and each one offers special advantages when applied to the right surfaces.

Flat Painting Finish

Although flat paint finishes were once the most common, they are rarely utilised today on exteriors. Matte, porous, and prone to fading and mildew issues is flat paint. Although most customers prefer glossier and more robust paint finishes, flat paint must not be wholly disregarded. Flat paint is an excellent alternative for hiding defects in older homes because it isn’t glossy. Only exterior walls, not often touched surfaces like doors, railings, or windows, should have a flat finish.

Use a flat paint finish when: Flat paint can be a fantastic option if your home has older wooden siding or you need to hide siding flaws.    

Eggshell Paint Finish

Eggshell paint is the most common exterior paint finish for a home’s body. Eggshell looks wonderful on various siding types like HardiePlank, stucco, horizontal wood, and others since it isn’t shiny or flat like a high-gloss shine. Eggshell paint is also more durable than a flat paint, making it simple to clean with the odd power wash. It’s also the best option to cover up flaws in older wood or stucco divots. Additionally, eggshell can shield your property from rain and seasonal weather fluctuations. After application, you won’t notice any brush strokes, roller edges, or spray markings since this well-liked paint finish lays down smoothly.

Select an eggshell paint finish when you paint your house siding again and want a low-reflective finish that also masks minor flaws. A finish with an eggshell sheen is ideal when you want to highlight trim details softly.

Satin Paint Finish 

Satin paint offers a beautiful gloss for exterior trim pieces that are frequently touched or utilised. This flexible, very resilient paint resists peeling and mildew. A satin paint finish is ideal for several trim areas, including door frames, window sills, porch ceilings, soffits, eaves, trim boards, overhangs, and much more. It’s crucial to notice that older wood trim and wood siding defects like dents, cratering, dings, and ridges are accentuated by satin paint.

When to choose a satin paint finish: If you want your trim to have a lovely sheen that isn’t overly shiny, choose this finish. This is true if you are living in a hot, sunny climate because smooth paint has more UV protection to prevent fading.

Semi-Gloss Paint Finish

On the outside of homes, semi-gloss paint provides a noticeable sheen and is the best choice for surfaces requiring to be cleaned frequently. Semi-gloss paint can be easily cleaned because it is more durable than satin paint due to its glossier finish. Semi-gloss paint can survive excessive wetness as well as adverse weather. Although a semi-gloss paint finish might look lovely on trim details, it is a poor option if you need to cover up cracks, chips, or other surface flaws.

When to apply a semi-gloss finish: Garage doors, external trim, front doors, shutters, gutters, railings, metal lamp posts, and window sills are the best surfaces for a semi-gloss finish.

High-Gloss Paint Finish

This paint finish is ideal if you want your exterior trim to stand out. High-gloss sheens are extremely durable and give paint colours a lovely depth. It is not the right idea to paint the entire exterior of your house with this incredibly durable and easy-to-clean finish. If you use high-gloss paint on all of your sidings, your home will appear “plastic”, and surface flaws will be more noticeable.

Use this finish merely to draw attention to elaborate architectural elements, trim, and doors. To match the high-gloss finish of your trim, professional painters will be happy to paint your exterior walls and siding with a semi-gloss or satin paint.

When to use a high-gloss finish: Highlight architectural features, ornamental fixtures, shutters, accent trim, black metal railings, front doors, window frames, or anything you frequently touch with this robust paint.

Windows, trim, and shutters

The lowest sheen appropriate for these sections is semi-gloss. Flat paint will become chalky and weathered due to seasonal upkeep and cleaning. Semi gloss latex paint is a common choice for most trim and shutter materials. Before selecting the paint for these details, consider the material, sunshine, and other environmental factors. Dark colours will fade in direct sunlight, making a semi-gloss finish even more essential for a long-lasting finish. Door trim needs the durability of a semi-gloss since it will wear out quickly.