Door handles, door knobs and door furniture are often the first thing we consider when updating or replacing our doors. Internal door handles as well as outdoor handles allow huge variety and creative freedom in designing the look you want. However, there are many other important door finish considerations.

So you may be here for those crucial finishing touches like handles and door knobs, but this guide will give a full rundown of options for finishing your door to add that special sparkle to indoor and outdoor spaces.

Finishing the door surface

If you are fitting brand new wooden doors inside or to the exterior of your property, they will be supplied in one of the following states:

Untreated

The door will be in a raw or bare state; not treated or primed in any way

Primed

There are a range of finishes on a primed door - some will be very basic, just one or two coats of primer. You may have to sand, caulk and further prime the door before applying a final finish.

Pre-finished

Supplied with very little work to do other than to install the door and add its door furniture.

It’s worth noting that for new doors, most suppliers will state that your guarantee doesn’t kick in on untreated or primed doors until you have applied a suitable finish to your door(s). You should also check that you are completely happy with your door or doors before you make any kind of change to this, including fitting, priming or finishing them. It is usually the case that if you make any alterations to a door - whether within a ‘cooling off’ period or not - that you have effectively accepted those goods.

Finishing a door means applying a protective coating, ensuring that your door is protected against moisture and extremes of temperature. It also allows you a wide range of design options.

A timber door has a variety of options for finishing or refinishing:

Oils and waxes

These mostly come in hardwax oil form, allowing the oil to soak into the wood and the wax to provide a protective seal.

Stain / varnish

Wood stains come in a range of shades, from clear to very dark. So you can use a clear or light stain to show off an oak door’s natural light colour, or make it darker to fit your colour scheme.

Paint

Water or solvent based paint is generally recommended for interior doors, while oil or latex based paints often provide the protection needed for external doors. For this reason, it may be a good idea to have two different paints when painting the internal and external faces of a front or back door, or patio doors.

Paint offers a range of applied finishes, including matt, satin or gloss. Bathroom doors benefit from a gloss finish to protect them from moisture. Satin and gloss would be easier to clean, so are recommended for family spaces, or high-traffic areas. Matt finishes are very visually appealing and can bring a modern look to your doors.

The finishing touches

With such a huge range of door furniture available, homeowners often like to pick the furniture first and work the finish around them. There is huge choice available for both interior and exterior door furniture, with everything from matt black and modern, to antique brass and period details.

Door handles and door knobs

Internal door handles are a hugely effective way to update or enhance the decor of living rooms, dining rooms, and even kitchens and bathrooms. You can use them to bring uniformity to your home’s decor style, or embrace variety, with different handles and knobs complementing different styles and schemes throughout a property.

If you like to blend period detailing with modern style, try a classical style in a 21st century material. The Carlisle Brass Polished Chrome Manital Queen Anne Mortice Knob is a great example, with its traditional shape and textured surface, but a chrome-type finish that would look fab in a modern property.

If there’s a bold colour trend you love, but you have a small space, try a hint of it rather than splashing it on the walls. The Eurospec Matt Black Steelworx Breeze Lever on Round Rose is a great way to embrace the matt black trend in a subtle way.

Don’t forget bathrooms - they deserve stylish finishes too. The Atlantic Pearl Nickel Tupai Rapido RetaLine/VersaLine WC Turn and Release on Long Rose is a stunning way to bring elegance into the smallest room of the house.

Exterior door furniture

Once you’ve chosen the right colour and finish for the surface, it’s time to up the kerb appeal of your pad with some well-chosen finishing touches.

Door knockers do not have to be purely functional. Show your personality with an ornate knocker like the stunning Carlisle Brass Stainless Brass Victorian Urn Door Knocker.

Replacing your letterplace can be a breath of fresh air for a tired looking front door. You can go ultra-modern or stick with the classics. The Ludlow Black Antique Traditional Letterplate is a great combo of a modern colour trend in a timeless style.

Even your door viewer can be stylish as well as practical. Keep an eye on who’s outside with the Eurospec Satin Stainless Steel Steelworx Door which offers a 200 degree view and crystal lens technology.