As the world spends more time at home, many people are looking for creative and cost-effective ways to update and enrich their spaces. Making our homes both functional and beautiful can be important to our well-being in times of stress and uncertainty. As evidenced by eager DIYers and designers across the internet, bringing a pop of color to your house by painting the front door will prove to be a popular spring trend we’ll see in 2021.

A colorful front door can add a unique personality and can have a big impact on your home’s curb appeal. While painting a door may seem like a pint-sized project, make sure you are well-prepared before you begin. As a front door is both visually front-and-center and often used, the process is more involved than your typical interior wall project. If you’re painting a stained, wooden door, you should follow the stain-to-paint conversion method. 

While the phrase “stain-to-paint conversion” can sound very technical, the term simply refers to the process of converting a surface finish from stain to paint. Though the process is not overly complex, it’s vital to follow the recommendations to achieve the look and durability you expect. Pick your favorite color and follow these steps for a flawless finish.

1. Sanding

To create a surface that your new paint can bind to, a good sanding job is the first step. Sanding away a polyurethane finish can be achieved by hand or with a sander.  It is best done with your door unhinged and on a flat, secure work surface.

The goal in this step is not to completely remove the old stain, but to remove the glossy sheen. The smooth and matte finish will allow your primer to bond to your wood evenly and with continuity. Since sanding creates large clouds of dust, professionals recommend wearing a mask to avoid breathing in lung irritants. Lastly, make sure to thoroughly wipe down your door with a brush and a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining dust particles.

2. Primer

Priming your door before a coat of paint is a crucial step in stain-to-paint conversions. A primer will not only protect your wood surface but will also increase the durability of your paint. Priming also covers any remaining stain color hiding beneath the surface, and prevents wood knots from showing through the paint over time. 

Applying primer protects your paint color from uneven drying and premature fading over time. For wooden doors specifically, an oil-based primer will best seal in resins, as well as serve as a quality barrier to this high touchpoint in your home. Finally, professionals recommend wiping down your door with a microfiber or tack cloth again before painting. This will remove any accumulated dust and ensure your paint binds directly to your primer.

3. Paint Color

Choosing the right color when painting your front door is the most exciting part of this process. Since your front door is the portal into your unique home, it should be a reflection of you. While most homeowners choose a neutral color for the exterior, a front door can be virtually any color like Novel Lilac from Sherwin-Williams or the Benjamin Moore 2021 color or the year, Aegean Teal.

A front door painted Aegean Teal from The Happy Housie

When it comes to choosing a type of paint for your door, using Latex or Oil-based paint is recommended. Latex paints with low-odor or zero VOCs are best for homeowners concerned with air quality. Oil-based paints and primers offer maximum protection and are better suited for covering wood grain. They are better at protecting high-use surfaces, though they are more noxious. 

After painting your door with a minimum of two coats of high-quality paint, apply a finish to seal your paint. Once it dries completely, reattach the hardware.

While we look towards brighter days ahead, entertaining at home will always be a way for Thurston and Pierce Counties residents to come together as communities. A small home improvement like painting the front door of your home may be exactly what your neighborhood needs to boost your curb appeal and inspire others to bring color to your block. 

As you dream and plan for your home updates, hire a professional painting contractor to make the improvements for you. At Flying Colors Painting, our skilled craftsmen can take your door from wood to paint with a stain-to-paint conversion that will give your home color and style. Our team of licensed professionals looks forward to exceeding your expectations as they add some needed flair this winter. Contact us today to schedule your estimate.