Giving your front door a fresh coat of paint is a low-stress project that adds instant curb appeal to your home, whether you’re just repainting the existing colour, or going for something bold and different. And for this type of paint job, the hardest part might just be choosing the colour. We’ve got some resources to get the inspiration flowing and get the job done.
Make A Plan
For high-use features of your home like doors and windows, plan to start painting early in the day, so you can give the paint ample time to dry before closing things up at night. As with all exterior paint jobs, you’ll want to pick a time when the weather forecast is looking mild and dry. Aim for days above 10C and above zero overnight. If your front door gets a lot of sun, avoid painting during periods of direct sunlight.
Choose Your Shade
For a colour choice that’s going to be this front-and-center, it pays to try before you buy. Check out PPG’s Room Visualizer to try colours out on your own front door before committing to a shade. If you’re stumped on where to start, explore PPG’s 2022 Color Trends for inspiration that can fit your vision, whether you’re going for something tried and true, or more adventurous.
Choose Your Paint
The best finish of paint for your front door is semi-gloss: it’s the perfect balance of long-lasting and eye-catching. Semi-gloss will resist all the wear and tear your front door faces throughout the seasons, and give you a wealth of shades to choose from. Work with an acrylic latex exterior paint like PPG’s Break-Through Low VOC exterior paint, which will give you great results across a variety of materials including metal and wood.
Prep the Area
First, wash the door with soap and water. Check for any bumps or cracks in the existing paint, and either scrape or sand the area until you have a smooth surface to work with. Medium-grit sandpaper or sand blocks are best for tackling old paint.
Get Painting
When you’re ready to paint, you can save time by keeping the door on its hinges—just be sure to carefully block off hinges with painters’ tape, and remove excess tape around the edges of the hinges with an exacto knife. Next, remove or block off handles, knockers and other details with more tape. Use a roller for large, flat surfaces, and an angled brush for areas where you want the most precision.
For rich or bold hues, you may find two coats are needed to get the look you’re going for. This is also true if you’re repainting your door in a darker or more vibrant shade than what’s beneath.
The finished result? What’s old is new again, and on a friendly budget too.
