The best protection for an exterior door is opaque paint all clear finishes will need constant maintenance.
Best exterior door finish.
The same goes for exterior trim.
Prior to applying new finish scrub the surface with a cleaner containing an oxidizing agent such as bleach.
When it comes to painting your front door there are a million colors to choose from but only one real option for the finish.
However the initial application does take longer then exterior varnish.
Whether it s a marine grade spar varnish or otherwise a film forming finish such as varnish only truly seals the wood when the film is intact.
The best clear finish for an exterior door is 3 coats of clear epoxy followed with 2 3 coats of spar varnish.
They shed water for a year or so before requiring reapplication.
Exterior paints are sold in flat matte eggshell satin semi gloss and gloss sheens in order of the lowest to the highest.
A storm door would also be a big help in protecting the door form the elements.
The combination has worked amazingly well for me on a west facing exterior oak door that looks as good today as it did after refinishing 7 8 years ago.
Their popularity and effectiveness for finishing the bright work on boats makes them the best choice for protecting exterior wooden doors that are exposed to harsh weather elements year round.
An exterior oil finish is definitely the simplest quickest way to treat an outdoor project.
Water repellents wrs.
It s got to be semigloss.
In my opinion spar varnish will give you the best clear coat protection against water.
Pettit marine paint s captain s varnish and epifanes wood finish matte.
Water repellents and water repellent preservatives.
Teak oil tung oil and tung oil finishes.
My go to finish system for exterior doors is a combination of two products.
For a natural look penetrating oil finishes might be your best bet.
Pettit marine paint s captain s varnish and epifanes wood finish matte.
As soon as it begins to crack or peel it s only going to get worse.
Previous varnish only finishes only lasted 2 3 years.
My go to finish system for exterior doors is a combination of two products.
From the original questioner.
Their popularity and effectiveness for finishing the bright work on boats makes them the best choice for protecting exterior wooden doors that are exposed to harsh weather elements year round.
Water repellent preservatives wrps are a great choice on wood decks.