How to paint your front door | Real estate

The front door is one of the first things people see when they enter your home, and it sets expectations about what can be inside. By giving your door a fresh coat of paint, you can instantly transform the look of your home and make it look more attractive.

“The front door of a home is more than just an entrance; It’s a statement piece that sets the tone for your entire home,” says Nick Lopez, founder of LIME Painting in the Denver metropolitan area. “It’s a budget-friendly way to instantly boost curb appeal and make a home stand out in the neighborhood.”

Here’s what you need to know about painting your front door:

“Painting your front door is a great way to give your home’s exterior a new, eye-catching look,” says Elizabeth Vergara, founder and principal designer at Vergara Homes, a luxury design-build firm in New York City. “It’s all about that limit of gravity.” Plus, Vergara says, it’s the perfect opportunity to express your personal style and taste while making your home more attractive.

Over the past 30 years, Zonda Media’s Cost vs. Value report has found that exterior projects typically provide a higher return on investment than interior remodeling at the time of sale. If a home looks aesthetically pleasing and is well cared for, buyers enter the home with a more positive outlook from the start.

“And let’s not forget the practical side – a fresh coat of paint provides protection from Mother Nature, ensuring your door stays looking its best and adding a little extra value to your property,” she adds.

Exterior paint provides a moisture barrier and prevents water from seeping into the wood. If you see cracks anywhere in the paint, it’s time to paint your door.

Drawing is a fairly easy task, but here are the general steps you need to take.

1. Choose your door paint. You will need at least a quart of exterior paint to paint your front door. Choosing the right color and shade can be difficult in the store, but you can get samples to try before committing. “Buy small paint samples and apply them to a discreet part of your door,” Lopez suggests. “This allows you to see how the color looks in different lighting conditions before making your final decision.”

2. Gather your materials. Make sure you have the primer, paint, and everything else you need to get the job done. You don’t want to run to the store while your front door is off the hinges. “Gather all your supplies, including a screwdriver, sandpaper, paint scraper, painter’s tape, drop cloth, primer, exterior paint, brushes and/or rollers, and a paint tray,” Lopez says. You may also need a hammer, wood filler, a putty knife, and two saws.

3. Remove the door. Tap the hinge pins with a hammer and remove the door from the frame. If your door uses non-removable hinge screws, use a screwdriver or cordless drill to remove the hinge from the door casing. Once the door is out, place it on the saws.

4. Remove all devices. Remove anything you can, including door handles, levers, locks, house numbers, and hinges.

5. Clean the door. “Start by cleaning it well to remove all the dirt and grime,” says Vergara. “Then smooth things out with a little sanding and fill in any imperfections.” A clean surface ensures proper paint adhesion. Once scrubbed, let the door dry completely.

6. Apply painter’s tape. Remove areas you don’t want to tape over, such as glass, or use a layer of liquid mask.

7. Prime Minister. Use a paintbrush and apply primer to one side of the door. Once dry, flip the door over and paint the other side.

8. Paint the door. Open the paint can and stir the paint. Use your paintbrush to paint the door in a thin layer from top to bottom. Wait for the paint to dry before applying a second coat. Once dry, flip the door over and paint the back. “When the paint is slightly wet, remove any painter’s tape to prevent peeling,” Lopez says.

9. Dry and re-suspend. Wait until the door is completely dry before replacing the hardware and putting the door back in place.

“The cost of painting your front door can vary depending on factors like the size of the door, the type of paint you choose, and whether you have the necessary tools,” Lopez says. “On average, you can expect to spend $50 to $100 on this project.”

According to Angi, a home improvement information and network company, the cost of purchasing paint and primer per quart ranges from $10 to $30, but the price of tools can add more to the total. You can spend an additional $100 on supplies like paint brushes, paint rollers, drop cloths, painter’s tape, paint trays, roller covers, gloves, masks, and more.

If you choose to hire someone, painters charge between $25 to $100 per hour, and it can cost up to $220 to get the job done professionally.

“For this type of project at LIME Painting, we recommend that our clients choose a high-quality exterior paint that is designed to withstand the weather,” Lopez says. His team recommends semi-gloss or satin exterior paint finishes because of their durability and ease of cleaning.

Vergara suggests latex or oil-based paints, but be sure to check your local laws about using oil-based paint. When it comes to colours, Vergara says it’s up to your personal preferences. “Make sure the color you see matches well with the exterior finishes (like siding, stucco, etc.),” she adds. “Whatever the color, it’s your chance to shine – choose the color that suits you and complements the ambiance of your home.”

Homeowners should also think about the style of their home and surroundings, Lopez says. “For a traditional look, classic colors like red, navy blue or black work well. Modern homes can benefit from bold, contrasting colors like teal or bright yellow, and neutral colors like gray or beige provide a timeless and versatile option.”