How to Choose the Best Exterior Paint for Doors and Windows?

Picture of Nick Goebel

Nick Goebel

Co-founder of The Ohio Painting Company®

Choosing from a variety of exterior paint colors is the first step of the process for any of your home’s exterior painting projects. Choose an exterior paint that will stay in good condition even in harsh weather conditions.

Painting the exterior of your home can seem daunting, especially the front door, which, when painted the right color, can increase its resale value if you decide to sell. More reflective finishes, such as eggshell paint, work best because they are pleasing to the eye, making them an excellent choice for trimming windows and front doors.

Despite exterior painters’ assisting you in ensuring a smooth finish, choosing the right paint finish that is long-lasting is critical. There are numerous exterior house paints to choose from. Oil-based paints, latex paint, acrylic paint, enamel paint, water-based paint, and gloss paint are examples. Here are some tips and tricks to help you relax when choosing the right house paint colors.

 

Tips & Tricks to Choose The Best Exterior Paint for Doors & Windows

Identify Your Home’s Style

When deciding on an exterior paint color, consider the style of your home. Pastel colors, for example, do not work well in a ranch-style home. A vibrant color, such as lime green, can complement a modern exterior. However, you should not be afraid to use an unusual color because it can bring out personality and brighten up a traditional look.

The Finish Should Be Semi-gloss

Because it provides a smooth surface for visual contrast, semi-gloss is the best paint for exterior wood windows. Semi-gloss paint has a smoother finish than lower-sheen paints. It is ideal for porch railings, stairs, and porch flooring.

It is also ideal for your home’s exterior because it is more durable, withstands harsh weather, and is easier to clean than eggshell or flat finishes.

Consider Your Home’s Surroundings

If you’re not sure what color to paint your exterior windows and doors, look to your home’s natural surroundings for inspiration. They’ll reveal which paint colors to use. Blues, whites, and other complementary color tones will also give your home a polished appearance. The natural colors give your landscape a sense of place.

Consider factors such as: if your location has historic homes or a suburb with various themes, you can begin there.

Stick With The Classics

Choosing a neutral color such as brown, grey, or black is a good idea because the colors will be useful for a longer period of time. Having neutral colors on your exterior is advantageous, especially if you plan to change your style or make changes to the exterior of your home. This is due to their adaptability.

Instead of painting your exterior wood doors and windows, you can stain them. Staining can create an excellent grain pattern and bring out the beauty of your exterior’s natural material.

You can make it monochrome.

Monochrome is the best exterior painting trick for a small house. Paint your doors, the exterior, trim, and exterior window frames the same color to visually enlarge your home. By using a monochromatic color scheme, you can also make your accessories stand out, such as the scones and potted plants around your front door.

 

How to Choose the Best Exterior Door Paint

When selecting the most effective and best paint for doors exterior of your home, keep the following universal factors in mind:

Make Sure It’s Exterior Paint

It is critical to choose exterior paint because it is thicker than other paints and contains additives that help it withstand harsh weather and other elements. In comparison to interior paints, exterior paints do not fade or peel off as quickly.

Pick a Latex-Based Paint

Using latex-based paint, also known as water-based paint, is a good idea. In comparison to oil-based paint, it dries faster and covers better. Latex-based paints are environmentally friendly and produce few paint fumes while handling all of the materials in your home.

Latex-based exterior paint is far healthier than oil-based exterior paint. When oil-based paint dries, it emits poisonous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as vapors, which are hazardous to your health.

Know Which Features You Require

Knowing what features your paint must-have is essential for its performance and durability. Choose paint with the features you require to meet your specific needs.

Mold resistance and fade resistance are two characteristics of some exterior paints. Mold and mildew-resistant exterior paints are essential for homeowners who live in areas with high precipitation or high humidity.

Because these doors are directly exposed to sunlight, homeowners with doors facing west or east can benefit from using UV-resistant paint or fade-resistant door paint. Early identification of your needs will save you time and money in the long run.

Identifying your needs early enough will save you time and money in the long run.

Using a Combination of Paint and Primer vs. Paint and Primer

Buying paint-primer combination formulas is a great way to save money and time because you can apply both at the same time. However, knowing when to use the paint and primer formula is critical to avoiding having to redo the paintwork. The combination works best when the paint does not need to do much work, such as painting a new door or painting the same color on other surfaces as the door.

On more difficult jobs, such as painting a door with stains or changing from a dark color to a lighter color, paint and primer are used separately. It is important to note that when changing the paint color, you must remove all of the old paint, all the way down to the bare wood. Also, horizontal surfaces must be painted before vertical ones.

Choose High-Quality Paint

Spending a little more money on high-quality exterior paint will make a big difference and can save you money and time in the long run. You can set a budget and get the best paint within that range; you’ll know you’ve made the best investment for your home. Early identification of your needs will save you time and money in the long run.

Visit The Ohio Painting Company at 978 Irving Ave, Dayton, OH 45419 for more information on the best exterior paint for your doors and windows and to schedule a free consultation. You can also reach us at (937) 409-4443 for professional exterior home painting.

 

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