Door Painters in Canterbury

Internal doors in period properties are typically four-panel Victorian or two-over-two Georgian designs in original timber. They get sanded to a smooth base and a primer coat before the finish coat in the chosen sheen.

Satin is durable and easy to clean. Eggshell gives a softer, less reflective look that suits older properties.

External doors take more punishment — UV, rain, frost, daily wear. Exterior-grade primers and topcoats throughout.

For front doors specifically, see our front door painting page. For rear or side external doors, the same principles apply: sound primer, undercoat, topcoat in sequence on a properly prepared surface.

A Victorian four-panel door has a distinctive shadow line that defines its character. When paint fills the recess, the door looks flat. Restoring the profile means removing excess paint from the recessed areas before any new coat.

Your decorator works into the recesses with hand tools and chemical strippers where the build-up warrants it. Once clean, the surface is primed, then undercoated and topcoated in sequence.

White and off-white remain the common choice in Georgian and Victorian interiors. Dark tones — navy, charcoal, deep green — are popular in dining rooms and hallways. Your decorator advises on what has worked on similar properties.

For doors in conservation areas or listed buildings, external colour choices may need to follow specific guidance — your decorator advises at the site visit where relevant. Our hallway painting service covers a full hallway repaint including doors, frames, skirting, and walls.