Why do fiberglass doors need to be painted

If you look at most homes in Burlington, one of the first features that your eye is immediately drawn to is the front door. Opinions vary widely on whether stain or paint is the best option. Some homeowners love the look of wood doors — and stain can give them that.

Others love the low maintenance and the colour options that are available when they use paint. Paint gives fibreglass doors a solid, flat finish. In fact, many fibreglass doors are manufactured to have a smooth finish — so for these doors, paint makes a lot of sense. Furthermore, some builders believe that painting a fibreglass door — rather than staining it — makes it more durable.

Another consideration is how much exposure your front door will get to direct sunlight. The answer is yes — if you choose the right paint, you can give your doorway a new lease of life.

The material is so popular for doors and window frames because it already has good moisture resistance. Paint can help protect the door from weather damage, however, and make an old door look fresh and new once more. Fiberglass doors are already energy-efficient and can be expected to last longer than a wooden door, making them a popular choice among homeowners. Use acrylic, polyester, polyurethane, or epoxy resin paint on your fiberglass door.

Try to pick a paint that matches the type of fiberglass for the best results. Do not use oil-based paints because these can damage the door. Fiberglass-friendly paints are often available in matte, neutral, and gloss finishes.

Assessing - should you paint your door? Exterior paint - get a proper exterior acrylic paint, not one for interior painting—you want the extra durability and the mildew-resistance of outdoor paint. A screwdriver - for removing hardware. Sanding tools - to prep surfaces for paint.

Mildewcide cleaner or bleach - to clean the door before painting. A small paint roller - for the primary painting. If your door is fiberglass or steel, consider using a foam roller to avoid brush or roller marks. A paint brush - for the details and edgework. Assorted cloths, sponges, etc - for wiping away various residues, splashes and other inevitable messes.

Remove all hardware , including the doorknob, lock, kick plate, etc. Remove anything on the door that you want to get rid of - tape, etc. Sand the entire door with fine-grit sandpaper to prepare a smooth surface for the paint, wiping away dust with a damp cloth. For weathered doors, sand more to polish out rough areas, flaking etc.

Be alert to older paints, as they may contain lead and require special handling! Apply a thin coating of primer to the entire door. You can use the edge of the roller for fine work around edges and detailing, or use a proper paintbrush. The former is less precise, the latter could potentially leave brush-marks.