From a finishing standpoint exterior doors rank right up there with decks as the most complicated surfaces to protect and maintain as a critical high traffic barrier between the interior and exterior of a home the finish on a.
Best finish for wood front door.
An exterior oil finish is definitely the simplest quickest way to treat an outdoor project.
Allow the door to dry for an hour or two check the instructions on the paint can then apply a second coat.
A scott burt owner of topcoat finishes a high end residential paint company in jericho vt responds.
The wood you see beneath a clear finish determines whether your door s look will be rustic or refined.
Q what is the best way to finish an exterior wooden door.
As a critical high traffic barrier between the interior and exterior of a home the finish on a.
Next finish the door with uv resistant exterior polyurethane.
When the door is ready for finishing stain it if desired by brushing or wiping the stain on then removing the excess with a clean rag after it has been allowed to soak in for a few minutes.
Finish with the outer sections following the grain of the wood.
Nothing blocks uv rays better than pigments.
The best clear finish for an exterior door is 3 coats of clear epoxy followed with 2 3 coats of spar varnish.
Oil finishes don t provide a protective film that sits on top of the wood like varnish does.
Scott burt owner of topcoat finishes a high end residential paint company in jericho vt responds.
I have researched to find the best finish that has uv protection mildewcide is easily applied.
For a door made of pine white fir or another wood species that doesn t bleed i e gives off tinted compounds in wood called tannins go with a water based exterior paint such as behr.
The varnish and paint on the bottom third of the door is crackling.
Dyes impart some color to the finish but do little to block uv rays.
What is the best way to finish an exterior wooden door.
Wood entry door materials and finishes photo by keller keller.
On the downside it will only give you about a year of protection from the ravages of outdoor life.
I mainly looked at three products waterlox marine finish sikkens cetol and watco exterior wood finish.
Once damaged wood fibers separate from the underlying wood taking the finish with them.
For best results use a quality brush or apply the finish with a sprayer.
Doors made with stable woods are less affected by humidity so they re better at holding up to the elements.
Good woods photo by manfred koh time inc.