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Exterior Painting · Aug 2019
Stone and brick Cape Cod: front door, arched sunburst and shutters painted dark blue
Stone and brick Cape Cod: front door, arched sunburst and shutters painted dark blue. These are before and after photos from the job, taken Aug 2019. This exterior 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
Cape Cod Entry With a Dark Blue Arched Sunburst and Door Surround
This Cape Cod home has a stone front gable with an arched entry, red brick wings on each side, a white dormer, and dark blue shutters. The before photo shows the whole front of the house and the arched sunburst over the white front door. A closer view shows the door frame with blue paint peeling in long strips, bare wood showing along the header and both sides, and a drop cloth on the front step. In the finished photo, the sunburst arch, its curved trim and the full door surround are a deep, even navy with clean edges against the stone. The fan rays of the sunburst read sharp and crisp. The white storm door and leaded glass sidelights stand out against the dark blue frame. The brass lanterns on each side and the gray stone stay as they were.
How We Refinished This Arched Entry and Shutters
- We laid drop cloths on the front steps and taped off the stone edges, glass sidelights and storm door so no paint would reach them.
- All peeling paint on the door frame and header was scraped and sanded back to a firm edge. The bare wood was cleaned and allowed to dry before priming.
- Exposed wood got an exterior primer. On a frame that has peeled before, priming bare spots is what helps the new finish hold.
- Gaps where the trim meets the stone were caulked with exterior sealant to keep water out of the joints. Cracks in the trim were filled and sanded.
- Two coats of navy exterior paint went on the sunburst, arch trim and door surround. We brushed the fan rays one by one so paint did not pool in the grooves.
- The shutters on the brick wings were cleaned and painted in the same dark blue so the entry and windows tie together across the front of the house.
Paint Colors Similar to This Navy Sunburst and Door Trim
Here are similar colors to consider for a front entry and shutters like these. They are not the exact paint used on this home.
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy HC-154
A deep, classic navy close to this sunburst and door surround. It looks rich next to gray stone and red brick.
Sherwin-Williams Naval SW 6244
A dark navy with a little more blue. It suits shutters and entry trim on a Cape Cod with white windows and doors.
Sherwin-Williams Extra White SW 7006
A crisp white for doors, sidelight frames and dormer trim. It sharpens the contrast with a dark blue surround like this one.
Questions About Painting a Front Door Surround and Shutters
Why does paint peel on exterior door trim?
Door frames see sun, rain and constant opening and closing. Water can get into joints where trim meets stone or brick, and that pushes paint off. Peeling is also common when paint went on over old, chalky coats. Scraping, priming bare wood and caulking joints help the new coat last.
What color looks good on trim against stone and brick?
Deep navy, charcoal and black are popular because they work with both gray stone and red brick. White trim is another classic choice. It helps to look at the stone and brick in daylight and pick a color that pulls from their darker tones.
How often should exterior trim and shutters be repainted?
It varies with sun exposure and the material. Many homes need trim and shutters refreshed every several years. South and west sides often fade first. Checking each spring for peeling, cracks and open caulk joints lets you catch small problems before wood starts to rot.
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