New Construction Painting · Jul 2020
New house: interior and exterior doors stained dark
New house: interior and exterior doors stained dark. These are before, in-progress and after photos from the job, taken Jul 2020. This new construction painting project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
New Home French Doors Stained a Rich Brown Wood Grain Look Inside and Out
This new home had several sets of French doors that needed a stained finish. One in progress photo shows a pair of doors with a smooth, tan factory surface, with blue tape around the glass and a view to a new wood deck with cable railings. Another shows a pair of doors swung open over a drop cloth, with dark stain already on the panels and a stain can and brush on the floor. A before photo shows an interior side of a pair of doors already in a deep, dark brown next to white casing and wood floors. The after photo shows the exterior side of a set of six lite French doors in a medium brown wood grain finish with a glossy clear coat. The grain lines and panel edges show depth and variation, like real wood. Black lever handles, white trim, light green board and batten siding, and a black lantern complete the entry. The photos were taken in Jul 2020.
How We Stained These New French Doors
- We taped the glass on every door with blue tape, covered the floors with drop cloths, and removed or masked the handles and hinges.
- The smooth factory surface was cleaned and lightly scuffed so the stain would grab evenly instead of sitting on top and wiping away.
- We applied the stain one panel at a time, going darker on the interior set shown and a medium brown on the exterior doors, to keep each color even.
- While the stain was still workable, we drew it out with a brush to create grain lines, giving the smooth doors a wood look across panels, rails, and stiles.
- After the stain dried, we brushed on clear topcoats, using an exterior grade finish on the outside faces to protect them from sun and rain.
- We pulled the tape from the glass, reinstalled the handles, and checked the edges and bottom rails to be sure every surface was sealed.
Paint Colors to Pair with These Stained French Doors
These are similar paint colors to consider for the siding and trim around stained doors. They are not exact matches to the colors used here.
Sherwin-Williams Clary Sage SW 6178
A soft gray green in the same family as this board and batten siding, a natural backdrop for a warm brown door.
Sherwin-Williams Snowbound SW 7004
A soft white for door casing and window trim that frames stained doors cleanly against green or gray siding.
Sherwin-Williams Black Fox SW 7020
A deep brown black that suits door hardware accents, lantern posts, or a front door frame next to medium brown stain.
Questions About Staining New Doors
Can smooth factory doors be stained to look like wood?
Many smooth or primed doors can be given a wood look with gel stains or graining techniques. The surface is cleaned and lightly scuffed, then stain is applied and worked with a brush or rag to create grain lines. A clear topcoat protects the finish. Results depend on the door material.
Should the inside and outside of a door be the same color?
They do not have to match. Many homeowners pick a darker stain inside to match floors or trim and a lighter or warmer tone outside to suit the siding. What matters most is that both faces and all edges are sealed so the door is protected from moisture.
How do you protect a stained exterior door from fading?
Use an exterior clear finish with UV protection, and plan to add a maintenance coat every year or two on doors that get direct sun. A covered porch helps. Wiping the door with a damp cloth and checking for dull or cracked spots keeps small problems from spreading.
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