Finishing interior doors and trim is important for several
reasons. Firstly, it adds a decorative touch to the house and makes it more
visually appealing. Secondly, it protects the lower portion of the wall from
scrapes and scratches, as well as conceals the junction of wall and floor,
window, or door. Thirdly, it helps to increase the durability of the doors and
trim by protecting them from moisture, dust, and other environmental
factors. Lastly, it can help to increase the resale value of the house. The
effort and time it takes to get a good finish on these areas, varies greatly.
Whether you want a perfect finish that will last a lifetime, or a quick fix, you
need to use the right products. The caveat with wood work is that the longer
it takes to prep, traditionally the better it looks and the longer it lasts. Once
you have passed the sanding and staining stages, if that is what you are
doing, here is an overview of what to use, where, and why.
If you are doing exterior wood trims, doors, gates, etc, The best
product is a Varnish. Unlike many wood finishes, varnish can withstand the
weather and sunlight. Varnish is available in several finishes I.e. satin, semi-
gloss, high gloss, etc, and will help your project last. Typically boat wood
work has varnish on it, so you can expect it to last a long time. Some boaters
use oils, but those require repeated applications over very brief intervals.
On interior wood work, some more user friendly finishes include
Shellac, Laquer, and Polyurethane. Polyurethane is the most popular of
these, because it dries very hard. Typically a wood floor will have a
polyurethane finish. The water base version has less VOC’s and dries
relatively quickly. Laquer is the clearest, dries fastest, but emits the most
VOC’s. Shellac, is a traditionalists product. The finish is beautiful, and unique
it is the most natural, but really should be used for refinishing infrequently use
furniture, Speaking of furniture, Polyurethane finishes are ideal for tables as
well.
Exterior Wood that is going to be painted needs to have paint that will
withstand the weather. Nothing looks worse and is more noticeable than
withering paint on exterior trim. The ideal product here is oil-based paint for
wood. There are oil-based paints specifically formulated for other materials,
so choose the one for wood. The level of VOC’s will bother the applicator if
they do not protect themselves, but since this is exterior, it is less harmful than
on an interior project. A secondary choice could be a 100% acrylic latex
paint, this a very durable water-based paint, that cleans with soap and water.
You can also choose a water based enamel for exterior
For your Interior paint I like the new wave of waterbased alkyd paints.
These are easy to work with, offer a lot of sheen options, and have lower
VOC’s than oil based paints. If you can find one of these that is considered
enamel, then you have the best product as far as durability. Enamels are
durable like polyurethane.
When it comes to finishing interior doors and trim, it is important to
choose the right paint finish. Glossy finishes are ideal for trim as they highlight
the details and add a touch of elegance to the house. You will need
sandpapers in the 180-240 grit range for best results. Some poly sheeting to
protect the ground and floors as well. Any of the products I mention here will
help you get the look and quality that you are looking for. Contractors Market
is here to help you make your project the best that it can be,