Exterior Door Painting Cost

Want to find out how much painting outside doors costs?

In this guide, we will look at the costs involved in painting exterior doors, including the types of doors, material costs and any additional costs that are commonly associated with such a task. On average, you're looking at a spend of around £200.

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How Much To Paint A Door Exterior?

If you're looking to paint an exterior door, the average cost of this can depend on the size, type and material of the door, as well as how many coats of paint and primer are needed.

Typically, the cost to paint an exterior door without any extra work can cost around £150. But the cost to paint an exterior door with glass panels which needs knotting and sanding, can be up to £250 per door.

An exterior door paint job can take anywhere between 2-4 hours depending on the type of door, size of the door, how many coats you need and the material. You may be looking to replace the former paint job, which will require sanding.

You can do this yourself if you're looking for a cheap option. However, if you want the job done right, it's always in your best interest to hire a professional painter and decorator to complete the job to a high standard.

Exterior Door Paint Prices

Below is a table of the average costs for painting an exterior door with materials, labour and waste removal:

Supply Only Costs

Below is a table of the average costs for material paint supply when buying individually for a DIY job:

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Additional Costs

Hiring a painter and decorator to simply paint an exterior door will save having to do it yourself, however, for a professional it's a fairly straightforward job.

As such, it's worth getting other decorating jobs done at the same time, which will prove cost-effective in the long run as you're not paying over the odds for something that won't take very long to complete.

Painting House Exterior

In addition to painting an exterior door, you may decide the whole outside of your house could benefit from a full painting job. Typically this can cost between £500 to £1,000, although this is dependent on the size of your property and the extent of any preparation work that may be required.

Painting a Room

It's not just the outside of your house that's important, it could be time to spruce up the interior of your home and paint a bedroom or lounge area, typically costing anywhere between £100-£400.

Again, the overall cost of painting and decorating the inside of a house will depend on the size of room and the type of paint you use. Although you can save on labour fees by ensuring everything is moved out of the way first, and furniture is covered over for its own protection.

Plastering a Room

While we're on the subject of internal redecorating, you may also need someone to plaster an indoor wall before it gets repainted. This is usually a 2-day job, costing around 550.

Although not directly connected to painting an exterior door, it's something worth considering if you're asking a painter and decorator to help with any other paint jobs inside the house.

New Front Door

Replacing a new front door is another good idea if you want a revamp of the door and not just a quick paint job. Depending on the type and size of the door you choose, this can cost anywhere between £500-£2,000.

New Windows and Frames

If you're painting exterior doors, then if you have any wooden window frames, it's an ideal time to have those repainted too. Alternatively, if you're replacing the front or back door altogether, you may decide to look into the cost of installing new windows.

The price can vary drastically, depending on the style and material of windows you're choosing, as well as how many need replacing. The average cost of new windows for a 3 bed house in the UK is around £3,750.

Labour Costs and Timescales

The typical labour cost for painting an exterior door is usually between £150-£250 per day, depending on how many doors need doing and if the door requires priming, sanding and finishing.

You can end up paying additional costs for the supplies including, primers, paint, protective sealants, and/or waterproof agents, as well as any waste and clean up costs.

The amount of time it takes to complete this job is usually between 1-2 days, depending on how much prep needs doing and how many doors are to be painted. Overall, the job can be done very quickly and shouldn't cause too much disruption to your home or day.

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Cost Factors of Painting An Exterior Door

The cost of painting an exterior door may not always be one fixed price. There are several cost affecting factors that can alter the price of your paint job. Below are just a few reasons why your prices may alternate between £100-£400.

Type of Door

The type of door can alter the prices of painting due to needing to change the type of paint depending on the material of the door. Some doors are best suited with oil-based paint, whilst others need water-based paint.

Pre-condition

The condition of the door prior to painting can also have a big impact, as often, the state of the door has the ability to increase or decrease your costs hugely. If there are any damp issues or cracking, you'll need to hire a professional beforehand to fix the problem, which will take more time and add to your costs.

Location

Depending on where you live in the country also plays a big factor when pricing up jobs. If you're living in London, then it could potentially cost up to £700 for all the doors in your home to be painted, whereas if you live up north, it probably won't be more than £400.

What's Involved in Exterior Door Painting?

When hiring a contractor to paint an exterior door, it's important to know what the job entails so you can be sure you're getting the most for your money. Below is a general step-by-step guide based on maintaining a wooden door correctly.

Preperation

• Remove fixtures - The letterbox, door knocker, and other external fixtures are taken off the door.
• Filling in gaps - Once cleaned, if there are any holes or gaps, these are filled with a quick-drying filler.
• Sanding the wood - Once any wood-filler has dried, the door is then sanded down to create a smooth surface.
• Knot treatment - This is added to prevent resin from bleeding through the paint.

Prime & Paint

• Apply primer - A suitable primer is added to help the paint adhere and last longer.
• Painting - Two coats of your chosen paint are applied for a full, even finish.
• Topcoat - A final gloss topcoat is added for durability and shine.
• Reattach fixtures - Once everything is dry, the letterbox and door knocker are refitted.

While these steps are related specifically to wooden doors, it shows there is more to the job than simply painting. If you are asking a professional for a quote, they should also be able to advise how they plan to go about the work.

Types of Exterior Paint

There are many types of exterior paint to choose from when deciding on a finish for your door.

Your door is one of the first things people see when they come into your home, so you want to make sure that it's painted to the highest standard and is long-lasting, so you don't have to keep redoing it. Below are just a few of the primary paints you can choose from to ensure the perfect finish.

Primer Paint

Rather than a topcoat, primer is essential a base layer to ensure better paint adhesion and durability.

Pros

• ✔ Helps the paint apply to the surface
• ✔ Increases the lifespan of the topcoat
• ✔ Creates a smooth finish
• ✔ Reduces number of coats required

Cons

• ✖ Extra step makes the whole process take longer
• ✖ Need to ensure you use the correct primer (oil or water-based)
• ✖ Applying primer isn't a solution on its own

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is a versatile and durable water-based option that suits multiple surfaces.

Pros

• ✔ Long-lasting and flexible
• ✔ Resistant to cracks or sun damage
• ✔ Effective and fast drying
• ✔ Easy to clean-up with water

Cons

• ✖ Not as smooth compared to oil-based paints
• ✖ Can require more than one coat
• ✖ More expensive compared to other options

Latex Paint

Ideal for those frequently changing the colour of their door, latex paint provides a quick refresh due to its easy removal and clean-up.

Pros

• ✔ Easy to apply and clean
• ✔ Paint dries quickly
• ✔ More environmentally friendly
• ✔ Ideal if painting regularly

Cons

• ✖ Less durable than other options
• ✖ Not practical for high-traffic or exposed doors
• ✖ May require more frequent maintenance

Oil Paint

Oil-based paint is known for providing a hard, glossy, traditional finish designed to withstand general wear and tear.

Pros

• ✔ Extremely durable and weather-resistant
• ✔ Rich and attractive finish
• ✔ Provides excellent coverage
• ✔ Ideal for metal or wood doors

Cons

• ✖ Takes longer to dry
• ✖ Strong fumes and higher VOCs
• ✖ Requires solvents to clean
• ✖ May discolour over time

Types of Exterior Door

There are several common types of exterior door available, and when it comes to painting them, it's important to know which you have as not all the above paints are suitable. This is due to applying the paint and ensuring it sits correctly on the surface, so also something to take into consideration when purchasing a new door.

Here are some of the most popular exterior door types:

Wood Doors

Wooden doors have always proved a popular, classic choice due to offering a durable and traditional look.

Pros

• ✔ Natural aesthetic and classic home feel
• ✔ Offers security and durability
• ✔ Can be stained or re-painted

Cons

• ✖ Lower energy efficiency than other options
• ✖ Resulting in potential increase to energy bills

uPVC Doors

uPVC doors are a cost-effective and energy-efficient option for budget-conscious homeowners.

Pros

• ✔ Offers a cheaper option for smaller budgets
• ✔ More energy-efficient than wooden doors
• ✔ Provides security alongside correct precautions

Cons

• ✖ Potentially less-attractive than other options
• ✖ Can look out of place within contemporary interiors

Composite Doors

Combining the aesthetics of wood with superior security, composite doors offer an efficient option for your exterior.

Pros

• ✔ Offers a similar finish to a classic wooden door
• ✔ More energy efficient than wooden doors
• ✔ High security when used with appropriate locks
• ✔ Insulated core and sound-blocking ability

Cons

• ✖ Higher initial cost when purchasing
• ✖ Material can expand in extreme heat

Can I Paint an Exterior Door Myself?

Painting your doors can be a fairly easy job as you don't need to install, lay, or do any extra work. However, it may not always turn out the way you expect when taking it on as a DIY job.

If you feel unsure about hiring a professional for this kind of job, here are some things that may go wrong during a DIY job that you'll need to consider for efficiency and ease.

You'll need to be fully aware of the current paint on your door because oil paint needs a layer of bonding primer before being painted over with latex paint, whilst latex paint will not stick on top of glossy oil paint and will start to come off gradually.

This can end up costing you more money to rectify the job and sand down before applying your new paint. So, if you want the best and easiest results, it's always smart to hire a professional for maximum efficiency.

Hiring Contractors to Paint an Exterior Door Checklist

When you're looking to hire a contractor for painting doors, you want to make sure you have the right person for the job and that you're paying the best price. Hiring the right person is important for a smooth painting process. If you're unsure, then don't worry, we're here to help!

Below are things to consider and questions you should ask when searching for and talking to potential specialists.

• Ask each contractor for a breakdown of costs, and make sure to browse around and get several quotes from different contractors so you can compare prices
• Make sure you're searching for contractors who specifically specialise in painting and decorating
• Ensure they have the correct qualifications, including a Painting and Decorating Association, as well as previous experience in painting exterior doors
• Check previous reviews and photographs online either on their website or on TripAdvisor
• Ask whether they offer any guarantees with their work, such as warranty or refund periods
• Double-check that they have public liability insurance or employer's liability insurance to protect you and your home should any incidents occur
• Lastly, organise a payment plan before signing anything and ask for a receipt after the job is finished

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