One of the best ways to save money is by refinishing your doors rather than purchasing new ones. However, even refinishing a door can be expensive. You should consider these costs to decide if this is the best option for you. Let’s look at the factors that may affect the cost of refinishing your front door.
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The size of your door
One of the most important factors that will determine how much it costs to refinish a door is how large the door is. The bigger the door, the more materials you will need to use, and the longer the process. For example, it will take longer to identify all the cracks and scratches that you need to fill in. You may also need to wait longer between coats of varnish, as the door will take longer to dry.
The type of finish you prefer
You will also need to consider the type of finish that you want. This will affect both how long and how expensive the process will be. For example, a simple varnish is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to refurbish a door. Often, you will be able to complete it in a weekend with a low budget. Alternatively, if you want to add new features, like installing a window in the door, it will be more time-consuming and expensive. You may also need to contact a professional, as this type of project can require a lot of technical skills.
The required people and equipment
Another factor that affects the cost for completion of the project is the people assigned to do the work. A simple refinishing project would generally not require any specialized skills and can be done on your own. However, you may also consider if you need to hire equipment. For example, if you use a sanding machine, you will be able to complete the job much faster. For more difficult projects, like altering the door, you should consider hiring a professional. That way, you can be confident that it will be completed to a high standard. However, it will also be more expensive, as you need to pay the wages of your tradespeople.
The condition of your door
Finally, you should consider what condition the door is in. For example, you might need to purchase special products, like paint thinner, to remove dirt on old wooden doors. You may also need to purchase wood filler to patch any scratches or cracks in the door. Also, mould or termites might be established in the door. These factors can cause serious damage. You will need to remove these problems and replace the damage before you can start refinishing the door. These other factors will also make the process more expensive.
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It can be difficult to know exactly how expensive it will be to refinish a wooden door. Several factors that can affect the price for refinishing, and we have discussed some of these considerations and their impact on the project cost. Use this information to help predict how much it will cost to refinish your doors because a beautiful front door is surely worth the trouble!
Pieter Boyce
Wooden Window and Door Specialist
This article was written on behalf of The Wooden Door Company by Pieter Boyce. Pieter has an intense passion for English Architectural history and has been specialising in the conservation of original wooden windows and doors for decades. His exceptional knowledge of timber windows and doors, both listed or non-listed, is attributed to his hands-on approach to learning all aspects of the complete restoration of original features as well as having personally surveyed thousands of items throughout his long tenure as a head surveyor for one of the largest window and door restoration companies in the UK. He now runs a boutique wooden window and door consultancy and fervently champions the retention of original windows and doors. To learn more of Pieter’s services, visit his website at www.boultonboyce.co.uk.