How To Paint Your Front Door WITHOUT Removing the Hinges Or Lock Hardware | YouTube Video
Hi, sweet SI family, I hope you’re having a great start to the week. I painted my front door and I’m sharing how I did it without removing the hinges and keeping all the door lock hardware on! Before I share can you guess what color I’ve painted it?
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Here’s the basic four-panel front door I started with. It’s been painted this mellow yellow for over 15 years now. I’m a huge fan of yellow but it was time for a change.
The other side of the front door is plain white. My entryway is small but let’s see if painting the door can add a little character to this space.
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WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Front Door – SALVAGED
Exterior Door Paint
Drop Cloth
Sand Pads | Shop Towels
Paint Brushes
Painters Masking Tape
Utility Knife | Glass Scraper
BEST PAINT FOR EXTERIOR DOOR
I’m in the Greater Toronto Area so we have drastic weather changes from hot muggy summers to extreme cold snowy weather. For this door makeover, I needed a paint that looks and applies great and also holds up to the elements. I’ve used Valspar Duramax Paint + Primer Exterior but some other quality door paints include Benjamin Moores Aura Grand Entrance Alkyd Paint, Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Enamel, Behr Marquee Exterior to name a few.
PAINTED DOOR PREP
Before painting, I prepped the door by giving it a wipe with a damp rag. Then I sanded with a 220 sanding pad to even out the existing paint finish and create a little ‘tooth’ for the new paint to stick to. I’m not a door painting expert so I’m not sure if these steps are even needed for a front door paint job but I figured it doesn’t hurt to prep before painting anything.
MASKING HARDWARE
Along with leaving the door in place, I also didn’t want to remove the lock set and hardware. Honestly, this lock set is old. If I got a little paint on it’s okay because I’d like to replace it soon anyway. But to keep all the hardware and hinges clean and paint-free, I masked them off with painter’s tape. I left the overhang of the tape on in case of any oopsies.
For the hinges, I used a utility knife to cut off the excess for a perfect paint line.
Once cut, it’s easy to pull up the tape where it’s not needed.
I started by painting the heel of the door. The heel is the narrow panel that has the hinges installed. An easy way to remember this is double H. 😉
The toe of the door is next. This is the opposite side of the heel where the lock mechanism is.
Next, I worked on the four panels painting the frame of the panels first, and then the interior.
This is what it looked like in progress, not pretty.
When the panels were finished I started painting the framing around the glass. You may remember when I painted my french door I used a masking fluid. I was going to use it again (I still have a ton left over) but I decided to overlap the glass and share how easy it is to remove the paint after it dries. For any of you who don’t want to invest in the masking product, you can get a clean look using an inexpensive scraping tool.
After the glass area was complete, I finished the rest of the door. This is what the first coat looks like. Not great. The second coat fixed everything right up though.
STEPS TO PAINTING A DOOR
- Clean and scuff sand existing finish
- Mask off the hinges and lock hardware
- Paint the Heel of the Door (The side with the Hinges)
- Paint the Toe of the Door (The side with the lock)
- Paint details including glass or panels
- Paint the remaining surface of the door
This is the order I painted the door.
FINISHING DETAILS
For the finishing details, I cleaned the dried paint off the glass with a utility knife and glass scraper. First I scored around the perimeter of the window with the utility knife. Then scraped the paint off the glass with this razor scraper. Once all the paint was removed I sparkled it up with window cleaner.
The final detail was adding this fall wreath I found at Marshall’s over the weekend. I hung it using these 3M hangers that are rated for up to 5 lbs. I like using them because they are easy to remove and don’t leave any holes in the door.
THE FINISHED LOOK
Here’s the finished look. I LOVE it!
What do you think? I’m glad I didn’t go stark black because that would have been a little harsh for my taste but depending on how the light hits it, it reads a warm black.
Here’s how it looks on the interior. It matches the french door to my office perfectly.
There are a few places on the trim that need touching up because I got some black paint on it but other than that it turned out really well. I like the sheen of the door too.
I found this framed ‘painting’ at Homesense and the shelf at Home Depot. As cute as this little plant is on the shelf, it won’t get enough light. I’ll be shopping for some pretty things to style this shelf with… or maybe DIY something! I’d love to hear any suggestions you might have.
And here’s what the full face of the house looks like now. I love the black door. It gives it a much more modern elegant look. But you can’t really see it behind the storm door, can you?
And here’s what it looks like without the storm/screen door. Well, I didn’t take it off-off, I opened it up to give the illusion. I like it so much better but with the harsh winters here in the GTA I’m not sure it’s a good idea to totally remove it.
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YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
Here’s the full step-by-step video tutorial. Our #siyoutubefamily is already a community of 47K so don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t done so already! So exciting, thank YOU!
Here’s another look at this door before and after. I hope it inspired you and gave you some ideas for your upcoming painting projects.
Also, I’d love your opinion on whether I should…
- paint the storm/screen door the same color as the front door
- remove it altogether
- or buy a new one ??
I always love hearing from you, it makes my day! 🙂
Happy painting my friends!
Denise x
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HOW TO REMOVE DATED DRAWER PANELS
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Love it Denise! Keep the storm door and paint it to match. I did mine many years ago and it still looks like I just painted it. But, I’m ready to paint again and go with a different color. Thanks for giving me inspiration, Kathy
Thanks Kathy and ya, I think thats exactly what I’m going to do as well. It’s worth a try. And if I don’t like it or end up changing the door out, nothing lost but a little paint and time. Thanks!😊
That color is so attractive. It really dressed up your entry. The print and the shelf are the perfect finishing touch.
Thanks for sharing the how-tos. I have outside doors I’ve been too afraid to paint for fear of brush marks. I may just be brave enough to give it a try now.
Thank you!! The hardest part is just getting started but I hope you give it a try Joanne, I’m sure you’d LOVE the new look.🤗
You need to Keep the storm door for the reasons already mentioned.. I recently replaced an old storm door with a new Larson door. Full glass, top to bottom, and the screen retracts up into the top frame, so you have the beauty of all glass when you don’t want the screen to show.. and it is so much snugger and wind tight than my previous door.
And your house is adorable!
Aw, thanks Jill! And I’m going to google Larson storm door, thank YOU!
Such a cute home you have. Your landscaping is perfect. 🙂
I love the color. Black can be a bit much sometimes. I like your ‘blackish’ color better.
As was mentioned, paiting the trim too would be nice. I also like a full glass storm door.
You’re right tho about the need for non glare glass !!
Thanks so much P, and ya, I’m going to look up some images with the trim painted out as well, then decide. And yessss, non-glare glass storm doors… we need this!!! Have a great weekend my friend. 🙂
Lovely house and yard!
Because I’m 80 and live by myself, SAFETY (and economy) are much more important to me than “style”. Even in a small, quiet Midwestern town, it pays to be careful. Leave the storm door in place. In addition to personal safety, it also makes sense as an extra insulation factor in very hot or very cold weather. Sooner or later, a non-glare safety glass will become available for storm doors, allowing the front door to be clearly visible.
Hi Gloria! yes,I these are all VERY good reasons to keep a storm door for sure! And I think you’re BRILLIANT!!! I would LOVE a non-glare safety glass storm door!!! Why don’t they have these!?!😲😃😃
P.s.- your home is adorable and your landscaping looks great!
Awww, thanks Celia! I love it when all the black eyed suzies are in bloom. They look like they are ‘smiling’ at everyone that passes by. hehe 😉
I’m chiming in late but I painted my front door inside and out with a very similar color and it turned out so beautifully everyone raved about it. The only difference is mine did not have glass in it, it had a side light, and I did as you did with the hardware. Except I very very carefully painted around them with no tape! Probably wouldn’t do it again! As far as the screen door-with your weather I would keep it but make it all glass. Anyway it turned out great!
I love side lights, I’ll bet it looks stunning! And ya, I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled when walking my dog and driving around at all the different screen door choices. The full glass looks nice!! Thanks for chiming in my friend. XOXO
Love the color, it turned out gorgeous. I’d paint the storm door. I have one too that I want paint. How would you that?
Hmmm, I’m not sure…lol, I’ve never painted a screen door before. But my guess is using a bonding primer over the metal first. They also sell spray paint that would adhere but then it wouldn’t be the exact same color as the door. I’m going to look into it for us Jane!🤗
I painted my storm door about 20 years ago and it has held up really well. Cleaned then lightly sanded the dark green metal framing, painted on a white primer suited for metal, then painted the frame with two coats of white paint-plus-primer in a satin finish. Used Behr products and brushed it all, with excellent results.
Your door is gorgeous, Denise. You could, of course, give your wreath more visibility by hanging it on the outside of the storm door rather than the inner door, but you’d always find yourself staring at the back of the wreath when you opened your door from the inside. I do this with my favorite Christmas wreath, which is too full to fit it between the front door and storm door. Looks great when I hang it on the outside of the storm door, at least from the street and porch. Inside, though, the look isn’t so good.
I love ALL your suggestions Cyndel. I’ve never even thought of hanging a wreath on the screen door. I’ll have to give it a try! And yes, I’m leaning more and more on painting it the matching Semi-Sweet. What do I have to lose, really? If I don’t like it, I can buy a new one or take it off. Thanks for chiming in! xo
Hi Denise:
Your door turned out so nice! Doesn’t it feel good to have it done?
As for the screen door, I vote to keep it the same color since there are already several colors on the house itself–the lovely green ivy, the great red brick, and the white porch and window trim. Even when the ivy has gone brown, if you paint the screen door white, I think there would be too much motion of color. Just a thought.
I agree. Too much going on already with the brown screen door…lol. I appreciate your design input, thank YOU! And yes, it feels nice to have updated the door. XOXO
I agree. Too much going on already with the brown screen door…lol. I appreciate you’re design input, thank YOU! And yes, it feels nice to have updated the door. XOXO
My opinion is to KEEP the storm door!
Hot summers and cold winters make it a necessity, to maintain a lower energy bill, and keep inside temps manageable. You can still see your beautiful interior door and wreath. When the ‘in-between’ weather comes, open your interior door, and enjoy the screened storm door.
My front entry door is bittersweet orange. You have inspired me to start thinking about a replacement color!!
When I open the front door and have just the screen-storm door, Gidget has a barking fest at all the neighbours and other dogs walking by.🤣🐶 So my dogs vote would be keep it as well!😂 But yes, I totally agree. It helps with the extreme weather conditions we have for sure. Thanks Susan. XOXO
Such a nice improvement! I would also paint the trim around the front door inside and out as well as the trim around the French doors the same grey so the opening will look that much bigger.
Thanks Janye and YES, I think I’m going to do the trim as well. And the full frame of the front door too. Thank you!😃
Its gorgeous and I love it, keep the screen door but paint it same as. xx
Yes, I’m thinking if it was painted the same and the screen was taken out (just leave the windows) it would look more cohesive, right?! Thanks Janette!😊
Remove your storm door. They make homes look dated.
I’m so confused…lol. I agree. But I also agree with having it on for practical purposes. ugggh. I thought asking all of you would help me make a decision but it looks like a 50/50 split.🤣 I really appreciate you chiming in Norma, thank YOU!💙
Door looks great!
I would paint the storm door the same color!
Thanks Cheryl and thanks for chiming in!🤗
Denise…. there is a little safety as far as the storm door goes. You can have the door kept locked before opening the inside door. Especially in the greater Toronto area!
Hi Dawn! That’s exactly what my sister said as well. Thanks for chiming in, much appreciated!🤗
Ohhhhh, I’m a fan of the new door color! 🖤 But then again you know I love a dark moody door. The color added so much character to the inside of your entryway. I’m with you on removing the storm door. You need that extra protection. It’s lovely and your home is gorgeous, Denise. xo 😘
Aw, thanks Do! That means a lot cuz I LOVE your home and the way you decorate and pull everything together!! Huge compliment, thank youuuu!😘
I love the color you chose! So much more elegant from the front of your home. The wreath is gorgeous and your home is so cute and welcoming! It’s always fun to see parts of your home that I haven’t seen before! 😁💕
Aw, thanks Christy! I’ve used this Semi-Sweet paint on my back picket fence, my french doors and a few things in my bathroom. Now it’s making its way to the front as well…lol.😂💕
Did I miss the paint color????
Judy, it’s call “Semi-Sweet” Valspar Exterior. 🙂
The door looks great and what a pretty pretty house! I’d leave the storm door on for sure.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Mary, and thank you!! Ya, for extra weather protection it’s a huge help. Maybe I should paint it the same color as the door OR buy a new one that is all glass. ?? hmmm🤔 Thanks for chiming in. Much appreciated!
I love the new color! I desperately need to paint my front door and can’t decide on the color. What color did you use?
It’s challenging to pick a front door color, isn’t it!?! I went with Valspar’s Exterior called “Semi-Sweet”. I really like it because it reads as a charcoal/gray/black with warm undertones.
Your painted front door is beautiful Denise. The covered porch gives it protection so my vote is remove the storm door and show off your black ‘new’ door!
Thanks Nicki! I think it looks awesome without the screen door too! I’m just worried about the weather. Even with the covered porch, I still sometimes shovel snow away from the door in bad winter storms.The joys of being Canadian…lol. 🇨🇦😉
Looks lovely! But keep the screen door, never good to not have something between you and an unexpected person at your door!
Thanks Kathy and I appreciate you chiming in. And YESSSSS, I didn’t even think of that!!
That came out beautiful. How did you know what order to do things in?
Thanks Nette! I watched a few Youtube videos and followed the one that made the most sense and felt the most comfortable for me. 🙂