2023 Cost To Paint A Door | Interior, Exterior, & Front Door (2023)

FAQs

How much does it cost to paint a door and trim? ›

The average cost for painting trim, crown molding, or baseboards is between $1 and $4 per linear foot. It typically costs between $45 and $200 to paint each side of doors and door trim. To paint window frames and trim, it usually costs $25 to $150 each.

Do the interior and exterior of the door need to be the same colour? Absolutely not! Just think, if the exterior of your door is already painted and the interior is white, then there's ALREADY a difference – and a high-contrast, drastic one at that.

Typically, two coats should suffice but you may prefer to use more. Drying times vary depending on a range of factors, including: the quality and type of paint or varnish you use; the environment you are painting in and the surface you are painting.

Note: Painting a door typically takes three to five hours, depending on the condition of the door and how fussy you are. But add in the drying time and it's a full-day project.

The cost to paint doors for house interiors ranges from about $100 to $400 per door. This includes a light sanding and one coat of the same high-quality paint. The cost changes based on the door style, size of the project, and the complexity.

Semi-gloss paint is always best for trim, doors and cabinetry because it's so easy to wipe clean. You can also choose gloss paint because it's also so easy to clean, but it's significantly shinier.

Use a neutral hue such as brown, black, or gray for a look that will withstand the test of time. Even deep reds and navy blues are classic front door colors that act as neutrals. If your style changes or you alter your home's exterior later, neutral hues will adapt with you.

'My advice would always be to avoid painting a front door a color that will divide opinion. This includes most bright colors, such as pink, purple or yellow. If you are selling your home any time soon, it's vital to choose neutral colors that won't offend,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief, Homes & Gardens.

“Painting a front door is best done with a brush. This is because most front doors have wood and/or glass panels and a roller would not be able to paint in the panels the same way that a brush would to give full coverage.”

To be safe, wait at least two days before closing an interior door. This is especially true during humid conditions, when it takes longer for paint to cure properly. With an exterior door, either remove the weather stripping or cover it with painter's tape so the paint won't stick.

Do you have to remove old paint before repainting a door? ›

A: An old door on an old house very likely has lead paint, so your first step isn't sanding. You need to remove the old paint if you want a smooth finish, and sanding is not the way to start when lead paint is involved. Stripping paint, even when it doesn't contain lead, is a messy task.

Generally, you start with the frame/casing, working up from the inside bottom, across the top, and then down the other side. If you are painting the walls in the room as well, paint the main door last as it is an entrance and exit point from the room.

White has always been the standard for interior doors. Most people opt for this light, neutral color to give the space an overall clean look. Whether is an exterior door, sliding barn doors, or a pantry door, white is always a classic.

You will likely need two coats of exterior door paint, as the first will act as a primer. Alternatively, add a primer (step 7), and you will only need one coat of paint. If the water beads up on your new wooden door, clean it with soapy water, rinse, then leave it to dry.

Per Square Foot

The most common way to be charged for a paint job is by the square foot of wall space to be painted. Most painters charge $2 to $6 per square foot for interior jobs including two coats of paint. If you choose to have the window and door trims, moldings, and doors painted that number will increase a bit.

The cost of painting a wall is generally between $2.00 and $4.00 per square foot, depending on the experience and expertise of the painter. A single coat, one color, and one-story home would cost around $2.

What's Better: Satin Paint Finish vs. Semi-Gloss Paint Finish. While both the paint finishes have been used on doors, the semi-gloss finish seems to hold up better concerning cleaning and lifespan. The gloss gives a subtle shine, breaking the flatness and monotony of the walls.

And because a glossy surface is more slick, it's also more resistant to moisture. As a general rule, use satin for interior walls and furniture and semi-gloss for small areas that need highlighting such as cabinets, mantels, stair rails, door and window frames.

Go for a semi-gloss finish, which is as durable as it is attractive. Exterior paints are sold in flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss sheens, in order of the lowest to the highest luster. Semi-gloss is ideal for front doors, as it's more wear- and stain-resistant than flatter sheens.

In 2023, just as in 2022, front doors should be bold. Bright reds, yellows, teals and blues are going to be in style. These bright colors can add the color your home needs to allow you to keep your other designs more modest.

What color front door sells a house best? ›

In Zillow's survey, a black front door raked in the highest offer price. On average, the prospective buyers said they'd pay $6,449 more for a home that had this bold, statement-making color.

Research from Zillow® finds that homes with slate blue or black front doors appeal to more recent and prospective buyers and could sell for a higher price. Conversely, pale pink and cement gray front doors could negatively impact a home's value.

The 2023 color of the year is a blend of gray and beige with subtle red undertones that pair well with today's trending earth-tone paint colors. Rustic Greige wraps a room in warmth, making it perfect for kitchens, bedrooms, and family spaces alike.

In front door symbology, black is synonymous with authority, power, and strength. A person owning a black door communicates that the home is a serious place and that they're a person of substance and sophistication.

While you can choose any finish, glossy paints are typically preferred for doors and trim, because they stand out and highlight these architectural features. They also tend to stand up to nicks and scrapes better than flat or eggshell paint, meaning they could last longer.

In terms of what paint tool works best on doors, it's actually best to use both a brush and a roller. Brushes are really great at cutting-in and painting the edges of your doors, including the panels. They're also great at helping you paint the areas that rollers are likely to miss.

Before painting, clean the door with a degreasing cleaner. Fill holes and repair imperfections with sandable filler or spackle. Use 120-grit sandpaper to gently sand the door for a smoother surface that will absorb primer or paint more easily. After sanding, remove dust from the area before priming or painting.

Go with a semi-gloss finish

Semi-gloss paint offers enhanced durability against wear-and-tear and harsh weather compared to flat or eggshell finishes, and it masks surface imperfections better than high-gloss. The glossiness also makes the door easier to clean as compared to flat or eggshell finishes.

Painting Doors

Interior Doors – Doors must be completely sealed with a primer as detailed above with at least one top coat on the top and bottom edge with two coats on all the remaining edges.

The beautiful thing about a front door is that it is already hung for you and ready to paint. No need to remove it! The only real trick is to pick a day that is not too cold or too hot so you can leave the door open to dry between steps.

Do I need to sand door before painting? ›

Sanding your door well, before priming and painting, is the right way to do it. Sanding will create a smooth surface that will help your paint to look great. When sanding, do a first pass with 100-150 grit sandpaper then finish with a second pass of 180-220 grit sandpaper.

You will want to paint both sides of a front door, but you don't need to paint them the same color. Just be sure you paint the exterior side of the door a color that matches both the interior and exterior.

Yes, you can paint over old paint on a door. Painting over old paint is pretty easy. Just be sure to clean the old paint with a good degreaser, like TSP. And prep the surface by scuff sanding, before you paint.

If the current wall is smooth, clean and covered with the same type of paint (both are oil-based for example), you can head straight for the paint. You need to fill holes, spackle and sand*, maybe even cut a new piece of drywall in to the existing wall.

The short answer, yes! If you are hand brushing your door it is possible to paint it while it is still on the hinges. Simply tape off the hinges with painter's tape to prevent them from getting painted accidentally.

We would always recommend painting your door before it's been hung (installed). Find out more about finishing and decorating your interior doors here.

Take the Door Off Its Hinges

It's tempting to paint the door as it is, but taking the door off the hinges and laying it flat will help you avoid unsightly drips and runs. Lay the door flat and remove knobs, plates, and lock mechanisms before beginning.

If your house's exterior is neutral, a bold front door color may provide the contrasting hues your home's aesthetic needs. In general, if the materials surrounding your door are dark, a lighter front door color is best and vice versa. However, don't be afraid to be a little unconventional.

It's a common question, “Do interior doors and trim have to match?” The short answer is no. The doors and trim can be whatever style and color you want them to be. Your home's design is entirely up to you.

Classic white

One of the classics, you can't go wrong with a crisp white door when the surrounding details already have lots of color.

What is the best paint to use on front door? ›

Semi-gloss acrylic latex exterior paint is ideal for front doors. Many homeowners like it for its durability, color compatibility and easy clean-up. It's great for steel, wood and fiberglass doors. Semi-gloss latex enamel exterior paint and primer in one eliminates the need for a primer coat before the finish coat.

As a rule of thumb, the best temperature to paint outside is 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with an ideal painting temperature range of 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Note: Painting a door typically takes three to five hours, depending on the condition of the door and how fussy you are. But add in the drying time and it's a full-day project.

You'll want to sand whether your doors are just primed or if they've been painted previously. Sanding will activate the surface to be ready to paint. Once you spend a few minutes sanding, wipe down your doors to remove any dust or dirt.

The cost to paint doors for house interiors ranges from about $100 to $400 per door. This includes a light sanding and one coat of the same high-quality paint. The cost changes based on the door style, size of the project, and the complexity.

Painting baseboards and trims are the most common task for painters. Depending on the amount of work required, the cost to paint the finishes can range from $2 to $6 per square foot, with an average of $3.30 per square foot.

For the average 12×12 room, the cost will usually range between $350 and $850 with around 70% of the total projected charge covering labor costs. With the highest quality and most experienced painters the cost can go over $1,000.

Per Square Foot

The most common way to be charged for a paint job is by the square foot of wall space to be painted. Most painters charge $2 to $6 per square foot for interior jobs including two coats of paint.

Some contractors use a rough base rate of $1.50 or $2.00 per square foot, some multiply 4 to 6 times the paint cost, some estimate the time the job will take and add it to an estimate of materials—and some may simply offer the lowest price to outbid the competition.

How many square feet is a front door? ›

Doors are usually 21 square feet (there are two in this example): 21 sq. ft. x 2 = 42 sq. ft.

Go with a semi-gloss finish

While you may be inclined to choose a paint finish based on personal preference or style, semi-gloss paint is the ideal choice for exterior doors.

On average, a painter covers approximately 150 – 200 square feet an hour. To paint the walls with a two-coat painting system in a regular office (14' wide x 14' length x 9' high = 504 square feet) it will take him or her about 3.5 hours of time. (An average painter should be able to cover about 150 square feet an hour.

Based on common interior square footage sizes, interior painting jobs national average rate is $2-$5 per square foot.

The cost to paint a room usually runs between $2 and $6 per square foot. Total painting costs range between $955 and $2,890, with a national average of $1,892.

One gallon can of paint will cover up to 400 square feet, which is enough to cover a small room like a bathroom. Two gallon cans of paint cover up to 800 square feet, which is enough to cover an average size room. This is the most common amount needed, especially when considering second coat coverage.