Is A High-Gloss Lacquer Exterior Door Right For You? Here's What You Need To Know

Since it's one of the first things that people see, finding the perfect paint finish for your front door is a must. If you're looking to add a bit of European flair, you might be considering a trendy finish for exterior doors that offers a mirror-like appearance: high-gloss lacquer. Before you jump in, though, be aware that this stylish, durable look can be difficult to achieve. 

Doors finished in this fashion are sometimes referred to as "high-gloss Dutch doors" due to the popularity of the elegant style in the Netherlands. It's definitely one great way to make your house stand out. This style has more going for it than just looks, though. Glossy lacquer is known for its fast drying times and durability. Because it is thinner than most other products, it penetrates deeper into your door to form a stronger, water-resistant seal. That hard layer also makes your door easier to maintain; you typically only need a cloth and mild dish soap to clean the lacquered surface.

High-gloss finishes are finicky to work with, however. Due to their reflective nature, they easily reveal imperfections in your door. This not only includes existing signs of wear and tear, like scratches or dents, but also the actual grain of your wood. Further, it's very easy to get dust, dirt, or other debris stuck in your gloss. As a result, a picture-perfect finish is notoriously difficult to achieve. If you're not a very experienced painter, you may want to leave this job to a pro.

With their bold aesthetic and durability, high-gloss lacquer finishes have a lot going for them. To further complement the style, you can use bold exterior door colors like reds, blues, and greens, as this finish will really make the entrance pop. Opting for front door paint colors that can boost your resale value, is another way to maximize this look. But if you don't want any clashes, make sure that you pick a hue to match your home's exterior and architectural style. You should also swatch your door with a sample of your color and observe it at different times of the day to see how it looks in varying sunlight, ensuring that you really like the shade. 

Despite all the style benefits, the downside is that a high-gloss look isn't the most DIY-friendly. This isn't a quick weekend project. Paint streaks, leaves, and dirt can make your high-end door look poorly-executed. For the best results, you'll likely need to remove your front door to properly prep it and apply your finish. Also, consider that painting your front door in this style may end up being too overwhelming for your home's design. If you like the shiny look, though, you don't have to completely abandon it. Instead, there are other great areas to use glossy paint in your home. Think about using the shiny finish just for the door trim or other exterior accents, especially if you want to simply test the look first.