Internal Door Overhaul: Refurbishing Internal Doors Like A Professional

Internal doors do not only serve a functional purpose but also adds to the overall aesthetic of your home’s interior design. If you’re looking for ways to improve your home’s style, then refurbishing your internal doors can be one of the best ways to do it. A fresh door can be inviting and can help guests anticipate what is inside is as fresh as the door as well. Read further on to learn more about refurbishing your internal doors like a professional.

Step 1: Gather all your tools

You must have everything you need in one place. That will make things easier for you once you start your project. Here are the things you should gather for your refurbishing project:

• Paint
• Paintbrush, around 1 ½ inch in width
• Paint roller and tray
• Medium-grit sandpaper
• New doorknob (optional)
• Old sponge/cloth
• Sugar soap

Step 2: Prep your door

Remove all hardware from your doors such as doorknobs, locks, or latches. If possible, remove the door from its hinges and lay the door flat on sawhorses. Clean the door by mixing the sugar soap with warm water, soaking the sponge and then wiping your door down. Be sure to remove all the dirt and grime in all the crevices of the door. 

Step 3: Repair your door

This is your chance to repair your door. Sand your door down, especially for uneven surfaces. If your door has cracks or holes, use a wood filler, wait until dry, and then sand down to flatten the surface. After sanding down your door, prime your door. This is especially important when coming from a stained door or bare door, or when transitioning from a very dark colour to a lighter colour. This would make painting easier as it becomes closer to your desired colour without adding too many coats of paint.

You might also want to check out: Restoration Guide: Step-by-step Guide to Restoring A Period Front Door

Step 4: Paint your door

Painting the door can be very simple, however, for a more professional look, it is integral to follow the direction of the wood. Use the paintbrush for more intricate parts of the door, and then use a paint roller for flatter surfaces for efficiency. Follow the illustration below for the direction of the paint strokes. Start with panels, midsections, then sides. This would yield the best results. Wait for each coat to dry before applying the next, and wait until fully dried before moving to the next step.

Step 5: Put everything back together

Hang the door back into place by reattaching the hinges and then reattach the metal fixtures. You can opt to use new fixtures that can amp up the design or the overall feel of your door. Once you have done this, then your internal door is finally done!

You might also be interested in: Painting With Ease: Paint Your Front Door Without Removing It