What is the Best Paint for Interior Doors and Trim?

Choosing the right paint for interior doors and trim can transform the look and feel of your home. The perfect paint finish will showcase the natural beauty of the woodwork while providing protection and easy maintenance. With so many options for sheen, color, and paint composition, it can be tricky to select the best product for your needs.

The first decision is between oil-based alkyd paints and water-based latex or acrylic paints. Alkyd paints provide a smooth, hard finish with a luminous depth. The long drying time and strong odor are drawbacks. Latex paints dry faster, have less odor, and are easier to clean up with water. However, they reveal more brush strokes and don't harden as much over time.

Benefits of Painting Interior Doors and Trim

Giving your interior doors and trim a fresh coat of paint offers many benefits:

• Improves appearance - A updated paint job lightens up the room and makes the woodwork pop.
• Creates a unified look - Painting trim the same color as walls or doors connects everything.
• Protects the wood - Paint seals the surface from moisture damage.
• Easier to clean - Painted trim just needs a quick wipe to remove dust and dirt.
• Increases home value - A polished, professional paint job impresses homebuyers.

Whether you want to give your existing trim a makeover or introduce trim accents to a room, a quality paint job adds beauty and visual interest. The eye-catching gloss and luster of painted doors and trim also enhances the lighting in a space. Your home will look cleaner, brighter, and have an updated aesthetic.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Paint

With any interior paint job, choosing the right product for the surfaces is key. Here are the most important factors to consider for doors and trim:

Sheen

The sheen refers to the level of light reflected by the dried paint. Sheens for trim paint include:

• Eggshell - Soft gloss, velvety appearance.
• Satin - Low-luster shine.
• Semi-gloss - Medium reflectivity, common for trim.
• Gloss - High shine.
• High gloss - Reflective shine.

Glossier sheens highlight decorative details but also illuminate imperfections. Satin or semi-gloss are ideal finishes for doors and trim. Lower sheens hide flaws better but don'taccentuate the woodwork as much.

Durability

High traffic areas like doors and trim need paint that can resist staining, yellowing, and scuffing. Enamel paints provide harder, tougher finishes. Verify if the product can withstand cleaning chemicals and moisture.

Ease of Application

Look for paint with good flow and coverage that goes on smoothly. Thicker paints like alkyd enamels can be harder to control. Acrylic latex paint levels nicely. Paint plus primer options skip priming for faster projects.

Adhesion

Paint needs to properly adhere to the door and trim materials. Oil-based paints grip wood best but latex paint adheres well when applied over the proper primer.

VOC Content

VOCs (volatile organic compounds) contribute to paint odor and off-gassing after drying. Low and zero VOC paint options keep fumes at a minimum.

Coverage

Higher quality paints cover better in one coat. This saves time and gets the job done faster. Insufficient coverage requires multiple coats.

Color Options

Many trim paints only come in white and basic colors, while some offer unlimited color customization. If painting doors and trim as an accent, deep colors add bold contrast.

Types of Paint for Interior Doors and Trim

Three main categories of paint are well-suited for interior wood trim and doors:

Latex/Acrylic Paint

Water-based interior latex or acrylic paints are popular choices for trim and doors because they:

• Emit minimal VOCs and have low odor
• Dry very quickly, often within hours
• Cleanup easily with soap and water
• Resist yellowing over time
• Provide good durability and scrubbability

The subtle surface textures and quick dry time of latex paints make them DIY friendly. Formulas with acrylic resins create durable, scuff-resistant finishes.

Alkyd/Oil-Based Paint

Alkyd paints utilize oil in the formulation. They offer:

• Extremely hard, glossy finishes
• Resistance to damage and wear
• Superior adhesion and penetration into wood
• A smooth, brush-free painted surface
• Excellent durability

The long dry time and Cleanup with mineral spirits are downsides. The fumes require good ventilation during application and drying.

Enamel Paint

Enamel paints have an extra component like urethane or epoxy for added durability. Enamel paint characteristics include:

• Very high-gloss, glass-like finish
• Scratch, chip, and moisture resistance
• Smooth, hard, uniform surface
• Easy to clean and washable
• Minimal brush strokes

Both alkyd and latex paints can be formulated as enamel paints. The urethane makes the finish harder and more brilliant.

Prep Work for Painting Doors and Trim

Proper prep work ensures the new paint adheres well and provides a long-lasting finish. Prep steps for interior doors and trim include:

• Lightly sanding - This roughens the surface for better paint adhesion.
• Cleaning thoroughly - Remove all grease, oil, dirt and grime from the wood.
• Filling holes and imperfections - This creates a smooth painting surface.
• Remove or mask hardware - Protect door knobs, hinges, and fixtures from paint splatters.
• Prime bare wood - Priming seals the wood and improves topcoat adhesion.

Proper prep removes any barriers between the wood and the fresh paint. Make sure to fill knots, dents, cracks, or corners that may telegraph through the new paint.

Follow these best practices for a seamless paint job on interior doors and trim:

• Use high-quality brushes and rollers suited to trim painting.
• Apply paint in thin, even coats using smooth brush strokes.
• Lightly sand between coats for a flawless finish.
• Work top to bottom when painting doors to avoid drips.
• Paint inside edges of trim first, then the front surface.
• Allow proper dry time between coats according to the product directions.

Applying with care in smooth motions prevents visible brush strokes. Following the manufacturer's instructions for dry time produces the hardest, most durable painted finish. With a little practice and these tips, you can achieve professional looking results.