So, you’ve just treated your home to a brand-new set of internal doors and now you’re in a bit of a pickle choosing the right finish? Not to worry. We understand with the variety of protective door finishes available that it can be quite overwhelming, and you’ll more than likely be stood in the aisle of your local hardware store scratching your head and daydreaming about something else more exciting. We’re here to help you avoid the internal conversation in your head that goes something like – “Do I need protection oil and a base coat?” “How do I choose between satin, semi-gloss or high gloss?”
Top Tip – All unfinished doors need a protective coating before you install them. This will also mean that you have to stain, varnish, wax or paint them to your desired requirements.
What To Consider
There are three, very simple, very easy things you need to consider when it comes to finishing your door to give it the desired look you want.
Type – Many oil-based paints are often the most hardwearing. They are traditionally used for painting wood.
Finish – Satin and gloss paints are usually best for internal doors. The finishes are washable, so it allows for the removal of stains. Most homeowners choose a high gloss finish as it’s the most durable out of the options.
Colour – This is all up to you. If you have a wooden panel door for example, you can choose to leave it with a natural look and feel or paint it whatever colour best matches your interior.
Door Finishes Explained
The Protective Coating
As we mentioned briefly earlier in this article, with unfinished doors they need a protective coating. This allows for a protective layer which not only protects, but creates a unique appearance too. It's important to keep your door protected from moisture, and wear and tear.
There are three brands best known for their door oils - Treatex, Impranol and Osmo. All of these oils are preferred finishing solutions for internal doors. Most are a mix of oil an wax, which means that it will soak into the wood surface and therefore provide a hard wearing wax layer. You will come across a variety of oils in different shades, such as clear satin and clear matt finishes, see below for quick descriptions of what they can provide for your door.
Satin - Provides a silky smooth finish and reflects more light which is ideal if you're looking to create a more bright and airy living space.
Matt - This finish is able to cover imperfections in the surface and application. It's very easy and simple to touch up the finish if required.
Semi gloss and gloss - These finishes provide high resistance to moisture and are often used for kitchen and bathroom doors.
Finishes By Shades
Door finishes are available by shade, so if you have an oak door that is light in colour and you want to maintain the natural look and feel, the chances of you using a dark oil or wax is very unlikely. There are a range of door finishes you can look at by shade. These are:
Wood stains and varnishes are available in a large range of colours. Depending on what colour you are looking to stain or varnish your door with, you can always dilute the stain in order to achieve a lighter shade or tone which better matches your preferred colour. It's important to note that colours will look different on different woods, so be sure to test colours beforehand.
Top Tip - Always apply the stain in the direction of the grain.
If you're still struggling to choose the right door finish for your door, please get in touch with us and we can advise the best solution possible.
Information is accurate at time of publishing, however, may be subject to change.
Type – Many oil-based paints are often the most hardwearing. They are traditionally used for painting wood. Finish – Satin and gloss paints are usually best for internal doors.
In most cases, the color or stain of the door will rely on one layer, and then an additional transparent finish will lock in that color and provide long-term protection. Some of the most common choices for interior doors include shellac, lacquer, and wax.
Satin and semi-gloss finishes are popular choices for doors due to their subtle shine and easy-to-clean characteristics. Glossy finishes can provide a more striking look, but they may highlight any imperfections on the door's surface.
Water based stains are the best kind for internal oak doors. Make sure that it is a good quality stain from a reputable brand like Osmo. If you would prefer to treat your door using an oil, we would recommend either Osmo Door Oil 3060 or Osmo Door Oil 3033.
Apply oil based stain and allow to dry per manufacturer's instructions. Note: Make sure all six sides - front, back, edges, top and bottom - receive the same uniform coverage. Apply polyurethane top coat and allow to dry per manufacturer's instructions.
Although white is undeniably popular, it's not the only choice. Some homeowners may be tempted by interior door color trends- like soft grays, blues, or even bold blacks. However, it's important to remember that popular trends and fads change, and what's in style today might not be tomorrow.
For superior protection, it's best to use a high-quality polyurethane finish for wood doors. ZAR®'s oil-based polyurethanes provide quality protection for wood while being user-friendly. While each product differs somewhat, the application methods are generally the same.
Finishings such as exterior-grade varnishes, sealants, or polyurethane coatings will provide a strong barrier that will prevent UV rays from penetrating the wood's surface, which will help to minimise any cracking or warping in the internal structure of your door.
Eggshell is always an interior designer's preferred paint finish, which is why our founder, Nicole, an interior designer, chose this as our ultimate finish for walls. The name eggshell stems from the fact the finish appears mostly flat with just a touch of luster... similar to a chicken egg!
When it comes to interior doors & other woodwork, the choice is between an eggshell, satin or gloss finish, depending on the level of durability and the finish you desire. Eggshell as the flattest finish can provide a beautifully modern look, while gloss provides the most durability against scratches and knocks.
A gloss or satinwood (semi-gloss) paint is best. These paints provide a strong waterproof seal for your door that stops moisture from getting into the wood. They also create a robust finish that can withstand the frequent cleaning needed to keep an interior door looking its best.
Traditional oils tend to require more coats and more regular maintenance, whereas Hard Wax Oils offer a more durable, longer lasting finish with just two thin coats. This is because Hardwax oils are made from a blend of oils, waxes and resins that provide a more durable finish.
Oils. When it comes to Hardwax oils for internal doors through many years of testing we have found Treatex Hardwax as the best oil to use. With its excellent durability and high-quality finish, the Treatex Hardwax range provides you with excellent protection without compromising on great looks.
For superior protection, it's best to use a high-quality polyurethane finish for wood doors. ZAR®'s oil-based polyurethanes provide quality protection for wood while being user-friendly. While each product differs somewhat, the application methods are generally the same.
For durability, varnishes offer the best protection. For ease of maintenance and repair from minor scratches, scuffs and scrapes, we recommend using a door oil or wax. Always check with the door manufacturer's guidance before applying a finish to a door.
When it comes to interior doors & other woodwork, the choice is between an eggshell, satin or gloss finish, depending on the level of durability and the finish you desire. Eggshell as the flattest finish can provide a beautifully modern look, while gloss provides the most durability against scratches and knocks.
Particular woods can be versatile too, as internal oak doors, for example, are available in different tones and styles to suit varying decors. If budget is a concern, hardwood doors can be more affordable than solid wood doors, although solid wood doors are of higher quality.
Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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