Posted: 23rd November 2022 | Author: Nationwide Supplies | Category: Doors
Back to newsWhether you’re buying new internal doors or just want to refresh the ones you have, giving them a new coat of paint can be a great way to personalise your doors. Adding a layer of paint to your doors not only tidies up scuff marks and other unsightly imperfections, but it can also have a big impact on the look of your rooms overall. Depending on your preferences, you can match your door to the rest of the interior decorating, or turn it into a focal point with a splash of colour.
When it comes to choosing a type of paint for internal doors, one thing you’ll want to consider is the durability of the paint. While internal doors don’t have to contend with harsh environmental conditions the way external doors do, they’ll still experience some wear and tear which can have an impact on your paint job. Price can also be a factor, as well as the aesthetics of the finished project.
For internal doors choosing either gloss or semi-gloss paint is a safe option. These paints are hard-wearing, easy to clean and both offer attractive finishes. Semi-gloss is less reflective than gloss paint, but more so than satin or matte paints - you might consider it the best of both worlds.
Once you’ve decided on the type of paint you’ll use, it’s time to choose a colour. For this part of the process, the world is your oyster. You could opt for neutral colours such as nude, camel or tan to create a muted, cosy feel in your living areas. Alternatively, a gleaming white door can accentuate silvers, greys and blues on your walls. Light colours can also help to brighten up a dark or dim room, particularly in the winter months when light is low.
On the other hand, why not opt for a splash of bright, vibrant hues to liven up your living space? If you like the idea of a feature wall in interior design, but don’t want to commit to painting your walls, you could consider a feature door instead. This can be an excellent way to introduce a colour theme or two, matching furnishings and decorations with the more functional aspects of your home.
The easiest way to paint an internal door is to take it off its hinges and lay it flat. You’ll also need to remove anything else attached to it, such as handles, locks and hooks. It’s also a good idea to give the door a light sanding, as this will give the paint a better finish, particularly if the door has been painted before. Remember to wipe away any dust from sanding before you start painting.
You may also find it useful to apply an undercoat to your door, as this provides a smoother surface for your top coats to cling to. If you’re painting indoors, now is a good time to open any windows or doors to keep your area well ventilated. Paint fumes can be overpowering and leave you feeling light-headed if you don’t get enough fresh air. You should also take regular breaks away from the paint between coats if possible.
When it’s time to apply the paint, use a brush to paint any non-flat parts of the door - for example, bevelled edges to panels or the detailing on a moulded door. Then you can use a roller to paint the rest of the door, being careful to blend out any drips you made with the brush. Leave this to dry according to the instructions on your paint of choice, then repeat these steps again until you’ve achieved the desired effect.
Top tip! Don’t overload your brush or roller with paint. Using too much paint increases the risk of dripping and thick coats will take longer to dry.
The above instructions apply to any plain, unpainted door, or any painted door that has already been prepared. If you want to paint an internal door that has been painted several times before, you’ll need to start with a few extra steps to get it ready for the process outlined above. If the door has thick layers of paint already, you may need to get it stripped, either professionally or at home.
It’s not unusual for fixings to be painted over if the door has been painted while still on its hinges. If this is the case and you’re using a different paint this time, you’ll need to remove the paint from fixings, and potentially even from the door frame if necessary. Once the final coat of paint has dried and you’ve reattached all the fixings, you can hang your internal door back on its hinges.
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