Garage Door Coatings: Comparing Paint, Stains and Faux Stain Paint
A lot of today's garage doors are beautifully finished just as they are. In some cases, however, a homeowner may want to apply their own finish to the door in order to get a specific look. If that's you, you have three types of garage door coatings to choose from: paint, stain and faux stain. Which one is right for you will depend on what look you're after, but also on the door material and how much maintenance you're willing to perform. In this post, the team at Parker/Aurora's favorite garage door installation company look at the issue of coating your garage door.
Making Sure You Have the Right Door Material
Not all door materials will accommodate all three different types of coatings. Therefore there are two ways you can approach the issue of coating a garage door. You can buy the door and then make your decision about which coating to use based on the door material. Or, you can decide ahead of time what type of look you want for the door and then buy a door with the right material to accommodate the coating you want to apply.
Door materials are divided into two categories: stain-grade materials and paint-grade materials. Stain-grade materials are different types of wood. Typically the type of wood is chosen for its grain and color and it's usually non-porous, meaning it has very small pores. Stain-grade wood will accept both stains and paint.
Paint-grade materials will only accommodate paint finishes. A paint-grade wood is one that offers a nice, flat surface that's free of heavy grain patterns and knots. A few examples of other paint-grade materials include metal, MDF, and veneered plywood.
Garage Door Coating Options
Stains
If your garage door is made of stain-grade wood you'd be remiss not to consider applying a stain to it, rather than painting it (remember, stain-grade woods will also accept paint). The stain penetrates the surface of the wood bringing out its natural beauty and providing a layer of protection against the elements. Pros and cons of staining include:
Pros of Stains
- Staining preserves the natural beauty of the wood while enhancing its weather resistance.
- Stains tend to produce a warm, welcoming feeling.
- A high-quality stain will protect against damage by the sun and weather.
- Stains will also guard against the growth of mold and mildew.
- There are a variety of beautiful stain finishes available including, nearly opaque, semi-transparent and transparent.
Cons of Stains
- There are a limited number of woods that are well-suited to receive stains.
- You may need to reapply that stain every few years, while paint may last a couple of decades.
- The number of color choices is also limited.
Paint
Paint is the most popular choice for coating a garage door because it will work on a variety of materials (including stain-grade wood), is affordable and is durable. In addition, you may not need to paint the door yourself, as some manufacturers will allow custom color requests. Here are more pros and cons of using paint to coat your garage door.
Pros of Paint
- It will work with a variety of door materials.
- It's easy to replicate the color when it comes time to repaint the door.
- It provides a robust layer of protection against the weather and sunlight.
- It will also help prevent erosion on metal garage doors.
Cons of Paint
- If you paint over wood the natural texture/grain will no longer be visible.
- Over time the paint will likely begin to peel or chip away.
- The color will fade over time as well.
- Garage door repair work or airborne debris during storms may damage the painted surface.
Faux Stain Paint
Faux staining is the process of painting a wooden surface in a way that makes it look like it has been stained. The effect is achieved through the use of a glazing technique that in and of itself is not terribly complicated.
It does take some practice to get it right, however, so you'll likely want to hire someone who specializes in this type of painted surface. Here are some pros and cons of the faux stain painting process.
Watch this video to learn how to create faux stain paint for your garage door.
Pros of Faux Stain Paint
- You can achieve a stained look even on wooden surfaces that would not accept a "real" stain.
- You have a lot of creative flexibility regarding the final look of the surface.
- In most cases, a faux stain will last longer than a genuine stain.
Cons of Faux Stain Paint
- You may need to hire a professional to achieve a convincing result.
- It can take quite a while longer than normal staining or painting.
- If you hire a pro the process is going to be pretty expensive.
- It may wear unevenly revealing its faux nature.
Choosing the Right Color
All exterior paints have a light reflective value or LRV. The LRV indicates how much light a color will reflect with 0 (black) being the least and 100 (white) being the most. As a general rule the lower the light value the shorter the life of the door because dark colors absorb light and stay hot undermining the door material. While the higher the LRV the longer the door will last because it reflects heat away and preserves the integrity of the material beneath. Beyond the LRV you will also want to consider the colors at work on the rest of your home's exterior and find a color that suits the established color scheme.
Which Garage Door Coating Should You Choose?
The best coating for your particular door depends on the material the door is made from as well as other aesthetic criteria such as the existing color scheme of the house. Keep in mind too that some coatings will require more maintenance than others, with stains and faux stains needing to be redone more frequently than standard paint.
If you have a door made of stain-grade wood and would like a compelling rustic look we'd recommend going with a stain. If you want a low-maintenance finish that will last for many years consider paint. And if you want the look of a stain but your door is not made of stain-grade wood, consider a faux stain painted finish.
"Do you want to preserve the natural color of the wood, or do you want to be able to finish your door with any color you choose? That’s the primary choice. You can’t go wrong with paint or stain, just remember to choose a high-quality finish that will protect your door over the years."
–Cambek Designer Doors
To help you compare your options more easily, here’s a quick breakdown of how stain, paint, and faux stain stack up in several key categories.
| Aspect | Stain | Paint | Faux Stain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compatible Materials | Stain-grade wood only | Most surfaces including wood, metal, and composites | Works on wood (even non-stain-grade) |
| Visual Effect | Enhances natural wood grain and tone | Solid color, hides wood grain | Mimics wood grain using glaze effects |
| Durability | Moderate; may need reapplication every few years | High; can last up to two decades | High; longer-lasting than actual stain |
| Maintenance | Requires more frequent upkeep | Lower maintenance over time | May wear unevenly; refinishing can be costly |
| Cost | Moderate to low | Typically the most affordable | Higher, especially if hiring a pro |
| Application Complexity | Relatively simple | Straightforward DIY or pro job | Requires technique or professional for best results |
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but this table can help steer you in the right direction based on your goals, door material, and budget. Whether you're looking for authenticity, longevity, or visual appeal – there's a finish that fits the bill.
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