How To Paint A UPVC Door

At Sketch Spray, we think UPVC doors are fantastic. They are durable, making them ideal for homes that endure challenging weather conditions. They are energy efficient, helping you lower energy costs without compromising heat.

Also, a UPVC door is secure, adds value to a home, requires little maintenance, and you can style it any way you like. We are big fans of these doors, but when they look worse for wear, they are depressing.

If your UPVC door is in good condition, but its appearance isn’t what it used to be, help is available. We’ll show you how to paint a UPVC door, inform you of the benefits of doing so, and if you’d instead leave the job to the experts, we are more than happy to paint your white UPVC door to the highest possible standard with a professional finish.

What Materials Are Commonly Used When Painting A UPVC Door?

Our experienced team use the following items when invigorating UPVC doors:

• UPVC cleaner
• Sandpaper or sanding block
• Methylated spirits, to clean after sanding
• Masking tape
• Drop cloths or plastic sheeting
• Primer designed for UPVC surfaces
• Exterior paint
• Brush or roller and tray

You'll also find warm soapy water is a helpful thing to have when you paint and clean!

Step-By-Step Guide To Painting A UPVC Door

Our experienced team has a standard working practice when it comes to freshening a door completely. While each job is taken on its individual merits, the following steps are a great base for this work.

Preparation Work Matters When You Paint UPVC Doors

The best possible finish begins with the best standard of preparation work, so follow these steps to make the painting process simpler:

• Cover the ground with drop cloths or plastic sheeting
• Mask off any areas that you do not want to paint, such as the door handle, glass panels or hinges
• Clean the door thoroughly with UPVC cleaner
• Sand the door with fine sandpaper to rough up the surface and lightly sanding will remove any gloss
• The same method will also help remove any peeling paint, dirt or dust from the door
• Apply the primer according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Allow the primer to dry completely

Now You Paint UPVC The Colour And Style You Want

Once the primer is dry, the preparation stage is complete, and you should begin painting and applying exterior gloss:

• Apply the paint according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Use a brush or foam roller to apply the paint in thin, even coats or brush marks
• Allow one coat to dry completely (sometimes it takes one hour) before applying the next coat
• Depending on the paint and the weather, it may be necessary to apply additional coats, so at least plan for a second coat after the first coat

No matter the colour, be it white UPVC windows, brown UPVC doors or whatever colour, use good quality paint as the right paint makes a massive difference to your house.

Always Double Check When You Paint UPVC Doors And Windows

Once you review the paintwork and you are satisfied, it is time to move towards the finishing touches which will improve the appearance, and maintain the door:

• Apply a topcoat or two coats to the door for the perfect finish
• Once the final coat of paint is fully cured, remove the masking tape and clean up any drips or spills
• Allow the paint to cure for the recommended amount of time before using the door

From here, the paintwork is complete, but please check on the door every so often to ensure it continues to look great. Over time, it is likely some maintenance work or a fresh coat will help you enjoy a great looking door for some time.

What Are The Benefits Of Customising A UPVC Door?

There are many reasons to paint your UPVC door, and these are some of the most common reasons our customers cite when calling on us to transform their property:

Ability To Customise Your Door

Whether you want to stamp your style on your home or want a uniform appearance inside and outside, painting your UPVC door allows you to customise your property. You can select all colours and finishes, including satin, gloss and matt.

Painting Adds A Fresh Level Of Protection Against The Elements

With the correct type of paint, you can make your door more robust and better protected from wind, rain and all challenging weather conditions.

Boosting Kerb Appeal Adds Value To Your Home

When your home looks more appealing on the outside, it attracts particular attention, and in the process of selling your home, this can increase your property value.

Painting A UPVC Door Ensures It Is Easy To Maintain

UPVC doors are low maintenance, but over time, this can fade. However, this work rejuvenates it, and a wipe with a damp cloth keeps it sparklingly clean.

You’ll also find painting UPVC window frames or a door is a cost-effective way to improve the appearance and durability of the door. When comparing the cost of upgrading to replacing a door, painting a UPVC door frame is smart.

Cost Of Painting A UPVC Door

Each job is unique, and we’ll provide you with a customised quote free of charge at Sketch Spray. As an initial guideline, Checkatrade states the average cost of spray painting a UPVC front door is £250, while a garage door costs an average of £300. This is a reasonable price when compared to the cost of a new door.

Many factors influence the overall cost, including the area to be sprayed, the condition of the door, accessibility, the type of paint and many more issues. You can do the job yourself, which is why we detail the steps required to paint a UPVC door, but if you need professional assistance to paint your door furniture, we are more than happy to help.

What Are The Challenges Associated With Painting UPVC Doors And Windows?

While you can paint UPVC doors, there are some challenges associated with the process, including:

You Must Prepare The Surface

As doors have a glossy and smooth finish, you must first rough this surface. This is why you should use sandpaper or a sanding block to prepare the surface before painting.

It also makes sense to use a specialist primer on plastic surfaces to ensure the paint bonds properly.

Painting A UPVC Front Door Often Take Several Coats

Painting a UPVC front door isn’t a “one and done” job. Expect to apply several coats; of course, you need to wait for each coat to dry before applying the next one. This makes painting UPVC doors time-consuming unless you are experienced and can access specialist equipment.

There Is Some Maintenance Required When You Paint Door Furniture

There isn’t a lot of maintenance required after painting a UPVC door, but it is wrong to suggest there is none. It would be best if you revisited the doors over time to touch up faded sections and look for obvious brush marks.

Thermal Expansion

As UPVC expands in heat, in warm temperatures, your door might stick. Wipe it down with a wet cloth. There are paints with better expansion properties, but UPVC is still the right paint for most homes in the UK.

What Type Of Paint Is Best When Painting A UPVC Front Door?

Several types of paint can be used on UPVC surfaces, including:

Acrylic paint: This is a popular choice for UPVC as it adheres well to the material and is resistant to fading and chalking.

Chalk paint: Chalk paint is a water-based paint that is perfect for giving uPVC a distressed, shabby chic look. It is easy to work with and dries quickly.

Epoxy paint: Epoxy paint is a robust and durable option ideal for use on UPVC surfaces that will be subjected to heavy wear and tear. It is resistant to scratches, chips, and other types of damage.

Latex paint: Latex paint is another option for a UPVC surface. It is easy to work with and dries quickly but it may not be as durable as other types of paint.

Oil-based paint: Oil-based paint is a good choice for UPVC that need to be painted a dark colour or where a high-gloss finish is desired. It is more durable than latex paint, making it great for a front door, but can be harder to work with and takes longer to dry.

Polyurethane based paint: This is a highly regarded paint for any exterior surface. It is highly resistant, hard wearing and is used extensively in industrial settings.

We are happy to advise on the best paint for your door and house, and we offer professional-grade spray equipment at all times.

We'll Show You How To Paint A UPVC Door

With our considerable experience in painting a UPVC front door, UPVC windows and all UPVC exterior doors, we are more than happy to help. We offer paint training courses, as well as reliable UPVC paint services. There are few things worse than a bad paint job, but we'll ensure you enjoy a good finish on all UPVC front doors, and UPVC doors and windows.