Best Finish For Front Door
Either penetrating or film forming and each has its pros and cons.
Best finish for front door. Just be sure to seal all edges so that the wood doesn t wick up moisture. Exterior paints are sold in flat matte eggshell satin semi gloss and gloss sheens in order of the lowest to the highest. Go for a semi gloss finish which is as durable as it is attractive. The best clear finish for an exterior door is 3 coats of clear epoxy followed with 2 3 coats of spar varnish.
No other clear finish matches its durability and moisture resistance. It s got to be semigloss. Previous varnish only finishes only lasted 2 3 years. They also tend to stand up to nicks and scrapes better than flat or eggshell paint meaning they could last longer.
The combination has worked amazingly well for me on a west facing exterior oak door that looks as good today as it did after refinishing 7 8 years ago. When it comes to painting your front door there are a million colors to choose from but only one real option for the finish. Most door companies apply a paint or poly finish before delivery or you can save a few bucks by ordering the door unfinished and coating it yourself. The same goes for exterior trim.
Types of clear finishes. Clear oil finishes come in two basic flavors.