Keeping your front door in good condition is important when maintaining the most prominent features of your home’s exterior. But when it comes to which option between painting or staining is better for exterior wood doors, a combination of longevity and aesthetic is preferred. To ease this decision, here are some things to keep in mind.

What Is the Difference?

The major difference between painting and staining is how the product interacts with the wood. For example, if you paint a solid mahogany wood entry door, the paint sits on top of the wood. However, if you stain the door, the wood absorbs the stain. Paint covers the wood’s natural grain, while stain changes the wood’s shade.

Which One Lasts Longer?

Regardless of which method you choose, they both must be reapplied after a certain amount of time. In general, paint lasts longer than stain, and should be reapplied every seven years. Stain will fade after two or three years.

What Do They Look Like?

Stain is mattifying when applied to wood. The wood aborbs it, so the texture of the wood remains the same. On the other hand, paint is fine for changing the door’s color, but it takes away the charm of a natural wooden door.

Which Method Offers More Protection?

Since wood does not absorb paint, it does a better job of filling grooves or cracks along the surface of the wood. This extra layer further protects the material from the elements. Paint does a better job at maintaining the life of your front door than stain.

Paint is better when it comes to which option between painting or staining is better for exterior wood doors. Paint needs infrequent reapplication and protects wood sufficiently. Stain also has its charms, making it worth the extra time for restorations.