Let’s talk curb appeal! If you’re purchasing or revamping your front door, you’ve probably already asked yourself, “should I go painted or stained?” It’s a common question that requires a little bit of research on your end. Before you go too far down the rabbit hole, we’ve got a quick and easy guide to painted vs. stained wood doors. Knowing what separates painted and stained wood doors can help you select the best option for your project! At the end of the day, it really does come down to personal preference.

Keep reading to dive into the pros and cons of both options:

Painted Doors 

If you are replacing your door (or installing a new door) and considering a painted finish, you can opt for a material such as fiberglass or steel (we prefer fiberglass over steel), which is less expensive than a true wood door. Not only is it less expensive, but in climates with extreme temperature fluctuations (I’m looking at you, Minnesota), it can be beneficial because you don’t have to worry about expansion and contraction and the harsh winter weather giving the door a beating.

Stained Doors

If you love the look of a stained front door, wood is often times your best bet. There are companies that make stainable fiberglass doors now that actually have a pretty realistic finish, so that might be a good option for you if you live in a harsh climate and don’t have any sort of porch protecting your door.

With a solid wood door, the options are endless. While a solid wood door will be more costly than its fiberglass counterparts, they are absolutely beautiful. Depending on what wood grain you get, you also have the option to either stain or paint your door (we don’t recommend painting oak though because you will see the wood grain through the paint).

It is important to note that a stained exterior door will likely need to be re-stained after a few years, where paint may last a bit longer.

At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either type of door. We love both options, so it really comes down to your own personal preference. Tell us in the comments below, what type of door would you put in your home?

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