If your front door is starting to look a bit dated and you want to spruce it up and are thinking about going for a new colour, then you might be wondering if you can paint a uPVC front door and how to go about it. This is a project that can have a massive impact on the kerb appeal of your home and one where you can really unleash your creativity.
Why should I paint a uPVC front door?
Whilst uPVC doors are built to last, they do begin to show their age quite quickly. The white plastic tends to get discoloured from being exposed to the elements and can begin to look old and dated very quickly.
Painting your uPVC front door means that you can experiment with colours as well as creating more kerb appeal. I've seen quite a few people doing this on Instagram with fantastic results.
Things to consider before you paint a uPVC front door
Before you go rushing off to buy the paint, there are some things that you need to consider before undertaking this DIY project.
The most important thing to take into consideration is the weather around the time you want to paint your uPVC door. You don’t want the weather to be too cold, too hot or rainy. It's best to aim to paint when the temperature is between 12C and 30C and there is no rain forecast.
Also, consider how long the project will take to complete. To allow for drying time and multiple coats of paint you are looking at this project taking a few days to complete.
This means you will need to take home security into account if you cannot close your front door or if you are removing the handle to paint. Be sure to plan other activities you and your family can do around the front door - whether that is more DIY and gardening or just chilling out. The summer months are a good time for this project as the kids can just run wild outside.
Materials needed to paint a uPVC front door
In order to paint your uPVC front door you will need to choose a paint that works on uPVC. This is because uPVC is too smooth for typical paint to grab onto. For this reason you might also need to use a primer if the paint you are using does not include it.
There are plenty of paint options available for you to choose from. The most popular is Frenchic’s Al Fresco range which already contains a primer. If you are unsure what paint to get then the staff at places like B&Q will be able to advise you. Getting a paint that already has primer will save you time and money on this project.
As well as suitable paint you will also need to have to hand:
Painter’s tape
Paintbrush or roller
Dust sheet
Screwdriver to remove the hardware from the door
Step one: clean your door
The first step to painting a uPVC front door is to clean the door. Start off by using a brush to sweep away any dust or cobwebs, then give the door a clean with your cleaner of choice - sugar soap or Elbow Grease are great options, we prefer to use the latter.
Step two: remove hardware from your door
The next step is to remove any hardware from your door.This includes things like your door number, door handle, letterbox etc. Whilst you can paint around these using tape it will give you a much cleaner look to remove them before painting. Plus there isn't the risk of accidentally getting paint on them.
Step three: tape up
This third step is going to help you to protect any of your door’s features, such as glass or your peephole. Using tape protects these areas.
Step four: prime your door
If the paint you are using does not contain a primer then you will need to prime your door following the instructions on the primer you are using. Be sure to allow the primer to dry according to the directions.
If the paint you are using does contain primer then you can skip this step altogether.
Step five: paint your door
After all your prep it is time for the fun part - getting to paint your uPVC door!
It is best to use thin coats of paint and build up the layers rather than a thick first coat. Don’t be disheartened when your first coat looks rubbish, just trust the process and keep going.
Step six: finishing touches
Now that your door is painted it is time for your finishing touches. This includes removing the tape you used, fixing any nicks and replacing the hardware back onto your door.
In conclusion
This DIY project can take place over a weekend and yet it creates a dramatic difference in the appearance of your home. Painting your uPVC door can make it look clean, fresh and fun instead of tired, dated and dirty. It's certainly a project that we plan to do when our door needs an update.
