- Cost
- Project Complexity and Time Needed
- Long Term Maintenance
- Current Finish and Condition of your Door
If you were hoping to find out that staining was the best option, don't worry, We go into further detail below, outlining all of the important considerations and options to weigh. Whether you decide to go with a painted or stained finish, you will have the information necessary to make a smart decision that you will appreciate every time you enter your home for years to come.
Cost Considerations
It is always wise to consider the cost of a project before getting started. Whether you decide to paint or stain your front door will make a big difference in the overall cost. Assuming you will be doing the project yourself, you will not have to consider the cost of labor, so your only financial consideration will be tools and materials.
Staining will be quite a bit more expensive than painting. Continue reading the below section to find out why.
How Much Should it Cost to Refinish a Front Door?
Paint Option
The materials you will need to paint your front door will be sandpaper, 1-quart paint, a paintbrush, and a drop cloth. You can expect to spend between $25 - $40 depending on the quality or brands you choose as well as your geographic location. If you choose an oil-based paint instead of latex, you can expect to spend an additional $5 - $10 on mineral spirits for cleanup. Depending on your current finish, you may also need one quart of primer, which will run you an additional $10.
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Stain Option
If you choose to stain instead of paint, you will need sandpaper, 1/2 pint stain, 1-quart varnish, a good paintbrush, a rag, mineral spirits, and a drop cloth. You should expect to spend between $75 - $90.
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Project Complexity and Time Needed
Painting your front door can be a relatively quick and straightforward project. The process involves cleaning the door, taping off or removing the hardware, painting your first coat, allowing it to dry, and then painting a second coat. From start to finish, this could take as little as two hours.
Staining is a bit more complicated and time-consuming. This involves sanding the current finish off, applying up to two coats of stain, sanding again, and then applying 2 - 3 coats of varnish, sanding in between each coat. From start to finish you are looking at a minimum of 5-6 hours.
Can You Stain a Door While It's Hanging?
While you can stain a door while it's still hanging, we do not recommend it. Sanding the existing finish off will be much easier done while the door is lying horizontally on sawhorses, with the hardware removed. You'll be glad you took the time to remove the door from the hinges when you're meticulously sanding the corners and crevices of the door. Painting a door while it's still hanging should not be a problem unless the current finish is in such shape that it requires sanding as well.
What Type of Stain Do You Use on a Front Door?
You need to use an exterior oil-based stain on your front door. Even though you will be applying an exterior varnish on top of the stain to protect it, interior stains will be susceptible to discoloration and fading caused by exposure to sunlight.
Long Term Maintenance
A painted door may show wear and tear a bit more than a stained one, but the maintenance required is undoubtedly less. Knicks and dings can be easily touched up in minutes, and if you smartly chose a satin or semi-gloss paint, your door will be very easy to clean when dirty. Most varnish brands recommend sanding and re-applying the varnish at least once a year, which can be time-consuming.
Current Finish and Condition of your Door
Another important consideration is the current finish and condition of your door. Is this a new door that is just a raw wood finish? Or has it already been painted or stained? If it's a new door, then this simplifies things a bit since you won't have to worry about removing or prepping the old finish. If not, you'll want to make sure you take the necessary steps to make sure your new finish will look good and stay that way.
Can You Paint a Stained Door?
In Summary
