Front Door Paint

Boasting a two-in-one primer and paint formulation and designed to resist adverse weather and daily wear and tear, Rust-Oleum Universal is an advanced product to use directly on bare or previously painted surfaces.

Compatible with a range of materials, this universal paint can be applied to interior and exterior wood and metal, masonry, plastic, ceramic, brickwork and more.

A solvent-based composition ensures durability and a superb shine that is easy to clean with a damp cloth. Thanks to an assortment of contemporary choices, it is easy to choose the paint in your desired colour and finish, with availability in 17 hues and matt, satin or gloss finishes.

We tested the Matt Black paint and were satisfied with the long-term performance of this paint; what we liked less is the rather long drying time. It takes approximately 8 hours for the product to touch dry and you’ll have to wait for at least 16 hours before applying a second coat.

Also keep in mind the product is toxic and shouldn’t be handled in poorly ventilated environments.

Dulux Woodsheen is an affordable yet high-quality wood paint formulated for interior and exterior applications. Acting as a two-in-one wood stain and varnish, this water-based product comes in 8 attractive colours selected to highlight the natural beauty of wood.

An elegant and brilliant satin finish ensures wear and tear protection, providing a durable barrier that armours the material and locks in colour – preventing peeling, flaking and discolouration.

A superb consistency makes Dulux Woodsheen very easy to apply with a brush without leaving unwanted strokes behind. On large surfaces, application with a roller or sprayer is recommended.

Besides the features mentioned above, we also like that the varnish is water-based. Its non-toxic formulation makes it safe to use in enclosed environments and eco-friendly; the paint also dries quicker than its oil-based counterparts, which is a great advantage when painting exterior surfaces.

Whether you have a wood or a metal front door, Dulux Weather Shield Quick Dry is built to impress. This quality product is formulated for exterior wood and metal but it is also compatible with other primed surfaces, including plastic.

Developed to provide long-lasting protection, the paint is guaranteed for 10 years if correctly applied as instructed. Priming is not always necessary on previously painted woodwork, but metal and plastic surfaces should be primed beforehand.

Thanks to its water-based formula, the product is eco-friendly and safe to use even in poorly ventilated environments. Another advantage is the quick drying time.

Weather Shield Quick Dry touch dries and becomes showerproof in two hours. A second coat can be applied after approximately 4 hours if needed. Lastly, we liked the satin finish which gives a stylish mid-sheen brilliance to surfaces, while requiring little to no maintenance.

Johnstone’s is renowned as one of the most reliable paint manufacturers in the UK and its Speciality range includes its black paint for wood and metal. Coming in two different versions, the product is suitable to use on either interior or exterior surfaces, ideal for use on wood and metal.

Due to its contemporary finish, we decided to test the matt black paint which is advertised as a product for interior substrates. Less hardwearing than its satin counterpart, their matt paint still provided satisfactory results on exterior surfaces.

Suitable to use on doors, decorative woodwork, ironwork, beams, blackboards and dark rooms – Johnstone’s Matt Black Paint boasts an excellent covering power and a great coverage, with a litre of paint covering up to 16m².

As mentioned above, Johnstone’s recommends their matt product for interior use and recommends their satin finish product for exterior wood and metal.

As part of the same collection, these paints share similar traits, but the satin product does have a lower coverage.

Another superb paint for your front door comes from Ronseal. Their 10 Year Weatherproof exterior wood paint acts as a primer and topcoat in one, and the manufacturer claims it doesn’t even need priming on bare wood.

In our tests the product provided good results, even when applied on bare wood. Adherence is great but the covering power drops quite significantly on unprimed bare material.

That said, we were happy with the paint’s performance. The product comes in 15 contemporary colours and in gloss and satin finishes.

Developed to withstand adverse weather, the paint film flexes with the movement of the wood and resists precocious peeling or cracking. Ronseal Weatherproof touch dries and becomes showerproof in only one hour, so your paintwork won’t be spoiled by an unexpected change in weather conditions.