A Guide to the Best Types of Paint for Interior Doors

Read Time:11 Minute, 34 Second

Doors in your home play a bigger role than you think when it comes to interior decorating. Not only are they functional, but they also add to the aesthetics of your home. The right paint can give your room a new look and feel.

The variety of choices available when it comes to painting doors – different brands, finishes and colors, as well as types – can make the process overwhelming. This comprehensive guide will cover the top paints for interior door, the differences between latex and oil based paints and tips to get a professional paint job.

You’ll be able to make an educated decision after reading this guide. Open the door to a new interior upgrade.

List of Best Interior Door Paints

The right paint is important for interior doors. The perfect paint for interior doors should not only be aesthetically pleasing, but durable and easy-to-apply. The following are some of the top brands for interior door painting. Each brand has its own unique strength.

Benjamin Moore: Benjamin Moore is known for its high quality and durability. They have a wide range of interior door paint finishes. The Advance and Aura paint lines offer easy application and excellent coverage. They also have a durable finish that can withstand regular cleaning.
Ben & Sons Painting: Ben & Sons Painting is a favorite of professional painters. Its paints are high quality and offer a smooth, durable finish. ProClassic Trim Enamel and Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, for example, are ideal for doors and trims because they provide a durable finish and offer a high level of adhesion resistance.
Dulux: Dulux has a wide range of interior door paints, but their Diamond Interior Acrylic is a particular standout. It is a paint with excellent leveling and flow properties. This provides a smooth, pleasing finish.
Farrow & Ball: Farrow & Ball is a brand you should consider if you want to use deep, rich colors with environmentally-friendly options. Their Estate Eggshell, with its rich pigments and eco-friendly properties, will add a luxurious touch to your door.
Valspar: Valspar Cabinet Enamel Semi Gloss Latex Paint by Valspar is known for it’s non-yellowing formula, and its easy-to clean finish. This is a great choice for doors if you want a paint that’s durable and looks good.
Behr: Behr Marquee Semi-Gloss Interior Doors are another great option for interior doors. It is a good choice for areas with high traffic because it offers a durable and excellent finish.
PPG: PPG offers interior paints which are resistant to wear and tear. Manor Hall Interior Paint is, for example, praised for having excellent adhesion, and being resistant to streaking and spotting.
Glidden: Glidden Premium Interior Primer and Paint is a good value. It is praised for the low-VOC and low-odor formula.
Rust-Oleum: Known for its specialized paints and finishes, Rust-Oleum has products such as their Protective Enamel that is perfect for doors because of its chip-resistant and durable finish.
KILZ: KILZ offers a variety of paints for doors including Tribute Satin Primer and Paint in One. This line provides excellent coverage, is easy to apply, and comes in a variety of colors.

The Best Finishes to Use on Inside Doors

The right finish for interior doors is just as important as the color. You should consider the location of the door, its traffic, and your desired look. The paint finish has a major impact on the appearance and longevity of the painting. Here are some of the most popular finishes you should consider:

Satin

Satin finishes have a subtle shine that is more lustrous and luminous than a flat finish, but less shiny than semi-gloss. This finish is resistant to dirt, mildew and stains. It’s a great choice for interior doors. Many brands, including Ben & Sons Painting, offer satin finishes with a wide range of colors.

Semi-Gloss

This finish is more durable and reflective than satin. Semi-gloss is easy to maintain and resists wear, which makes it a popular finish for interior doors. Semi-gloss colors tend to show less damage and dirt over time.

Gloss

They offer the best shine and durability. They can highlight any imperfections on your door’s surface, so you must prepare it properly before applying the finish. Gloss finishes are less common for interior doors but can give them a modern, striking look.

Eggshell

It is the perfect choice for a more softer appearance. The finish, which has a similar sheen to an eggshell’s, is named so because it looks like a low-sheen eggshell. It’s not as durable as satin or semi-gloss but it has a beautiful glow. This is perfect for creating an inviting and warm atmosphere.

Matte/Flat

Matte finishes are less common on doors but can be used for interior doors which don’t see much traffic or touch. Closet doors are a good example. Matte finishes give your doors an elegant, modern look.

Oil-based vs. Latex-based paints

When deciding on what paint to use to paint your door, you will need to decide whether to buy latex-based or oil-based. The characteristics of each type of paint can affect the durability and finish of your paint job.

Many homeowners and professionals choose latex-based or water-based painting. They are popular because of their quick drying time, ease of cleaning with soap and hot water, and lower odor than oil-based paint.

Latex paints of high quality are often praised because they have a long shelf life and resist yellowing. Latex paint’s flexibility makes it less likely for it to crack or peel with time. Latex paints are also more environmentally friendly because they have lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Oil-based paints, on the other hand have a reputation of being easy to apply and having a finish that is durable. These paints are especially good at hiding imperfections, and they can produce a smoother finish than latex.

Oil-based paint also has a leveling quality, which results in a more smooth finish and fewer brush strokes. Oil-based paint is slower to dry. This allows for a more durable, stronger finish, but requires longer wait times between coats.

You can choose from a wide range of latex or oil-based paints by reputable brands such as Ben & Sons Painting.

How to Choose the Right Paint for Your Doors

It’s important to take into consideration several factors when choosing the right paint for your interior door. This will help you select a product which meets your requirements for quality, durability and aesthetics. Here are some things to look for:

Durability of Paint

Paint that is durable and can resist wear, chipping, or peeling will be needed for doors. They are frequently touched areas with high traffic. Latex and oil-based can both provide durability. However, it is important to choose high-quality paints, such as those by Ben & Sons Painting to ensure maximum longevity.

The Finish of the Paint

The paint finish can have a significant impact on the appearance of your door. Due to their easy-to-clean qualities and subtle shine, satin and semi-gloss paint finishes are popular for doors. Glossy surfaces can give a door a striking appearance, but may also highlight imperfections.

Paint Color

The color you choose for your paint can dramatically transform the look of your room. Select a paint color that suits both your personal style and the design of your space. The lighting in the room can also affect the color of the paint.

Types of Paint

It’s important to choose between oil-based and latex-based paints. Both have their pros and cons. Latex is easy to clean and work with, while oil offers a durable and smooth finish.

VOCs

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released as gases by certain types of paint, can have adverse effects on the environment and your health. It can be more environmentally friendly to choose low-VOC and zero-VOC paints.

Brand of Paint

Not all paints are the same. Professional interior painters in Auckland understand the importance of using top-notch products for their projects. That’s why many trust industry-leading brands like Ben & Sons Painting. These renowned brands have earned a reputation for delivering exceptional quality, a wide variety of choices, and unmatched reliability. When it comes to interior painting in Auckland, relying on Ben & Sons Painting ensures a professional finish that meets the high standards of skilled painters in the region.

These factors must be carefully considered when choosing the right paint for your doors. To make the right decision, you should consider your needs and preferences.

How to paint an interior door

A newly painted door can revitalize and refresh the aesthetics of any room. The best method will depend on whether the door is detached or attached. No matter which method you use, preparation is the key to painting. Patience always pays off.

Here is a guide that shows you how to paint them both.

Attached Doors

Most people can paint an inside door with its frame still attached. Here’s what you need to do:

Prepare the Area: First, lay down a dropcloth to protect your flooring. Painter’s tape can be used to cover the hinges and door hardware. If possible, remove them.
Cleaning the Door: Use mild detergents to clean the door and remove dirt or grease. This step ensures a smooth paint application.
Sand the Door: Sand the door to remove the gloss finish. This will help the new paint to adhere better.
Prime the Door: Apply a primer, particularly if you are painting over a darker shade or bare wood. Let it dry completely before continuing.
Paint the Door: Start by painting the top portion of the door. Brush the corners and panels with a brush and use a small roller on flat surfaces. Let the first coat completely dry before applying a subsequent coat.
Reattach Hardware: Once the painter’s tape has dried, remove it carefully and attach any hardware that you have removed.

Unattached Doors

This method is easier and cleaner if you can remove the door from its hinges.

Remove and Prepare the Door: Remove the door from its hinges, and remove all hardware. It is best to lay it flat, on a sawhorse or other flat surface for easy access.
Clean and Sand The Door: Clean with mild detergent and rinse. Let it dry. After cleaning the door with mild detergent, rinsing it and letting it dry, lightly sanding the surface to remove any gloss.
Prime the Door: Apply a primer coat and let it dry. Primer is important when you are painting over darker colors or bare wood.
Paint the door: Start with the panels, and work your way outwards. A smooth finish can be achieved by using a roller on large, flat areas and a brush to paint the details. Let the paint dry completely before adding a second layer.
Reattach the Door: Once the paint has dried, attach the hardware to the door and hang it back up on the hinges.

Do you need to use the same paint for interior doors and trim?

If you want to achieve a certain design aesthetic, it’s important to consider whether or not the trim and doors should be painted the same color. The two options, matching or contrasting door and trim colors, have unique benefits and considerations.

Use the same color paint for interior doors and trim to create a cohesive, seamless look in your home. This creates a sense calmness and unity, which makes the room appear bigger and more unified. This is a good choice because it makes painting easier. You won’t have to be concerned about ‘cutting-in’ the trim and door where they meet.

A contrasting color on your trim and doors can also add depth to your interiors. This design technique can be used to highlight architectural features or add color and drama to a neutral space. Keep in mind color harmony when choosing colors and make sure they complement each other as well as the room’s overall color palette.

What about the door frame?

Door frames, or door trims, are often painted the same as the trim in the rest of the room. For a uniform look, it’s common to paint your door frame in the same color as your door or baseboards.

If you use a color that contrasts with your door, it can create visual depth and interest in your room. This strategy can be used to highlight architectural features, create a focal point or add a pop color.

Remember that when painting the door and frame in different colors, you will need to be more precise in order to achieve clean lines at the intersection of the colors.

Summary of Interior Door Paint

The choice of paint for interior doors is an important aspect of design. The paint you choose for your interior doors is important because it not only affects the look of the room, but also the durability and longevity of the doors.

We have explored the various factors that you should consider. For example, whether to use oil-based or latex paint. Both offer unique advantages and considerations. Latex paints resist yellowing, are environmentally friendly and easy to use. Oil-based paints are durable and smooth, but they take more time to clean and apply.

Consider factors such as brand, type of finish, durability and color when choosing paint. Brands like Ben & Sons Painting have a reputation for high-quality paints that are durable and offer a wide variety of colors and finishes.

The best option will always depend on both your individual taste and the overall aesthetics of the space. Quality paints are always a better investment. They will give you a professional, durable finish.