Black Internal Doors: Should You Buy Pre-Finished or Primed?

Black doors are one of the biggest interior trends of the year! They offer a cool modern contrast to any home, and pair with most wall colours. If you’ve been shopping around, then you might notice a catch – many door retailers sell primed black doors. Leaving the last task of finishing the door down to you.

Primed doors will always require extra time, energy, and money to finish and hang. Before you pick up a paintbrush, we’re going to break down the true costs of a primed door and why buying a pre-finished black door is worth the investment.

Material, Time, and Energy Costs of Finishing Your Door

If you’re set on finishing your door at home, then it’s important to consider the costs. Not only the material costs, but the time, space, and energy that you’ll need to budget for this task. 

Material Costs

• Sawhorse: £20-30
• Paintbrush/roller: £15-20
• High quality black topcoat: £30-50
• Finish coating: £30-50

Total Cost: £95 – £150

Time Costs

Because paint requires drying time (and extra drying time if you’re using an oil-based paint), the process of finishing a door spans multiple days. Make sure you schedule enough time if you’re planning to finish your door yourself.

Total Cost: 3-4 Days

Energy Costs

Beyond money and time, there’s an extra energy tax to finishing a door yourself:

• The flawless finish: Black finishes are extremely difficult to get perfect. Brushstrokes catch light and stand out, and dust can accidentally be painted in, making this project great for the perfectionist but stressful for the average DIY-er. One mistake and you’re back to the drawing board.

• Living in your workzone: Doors take up quite a bit of space when laid flat. If you don’t have the garden space or the weather isn’t cooperating, then you’ll have to turn your spare room or garage into a high-fume, no-go zone for a weekend.

Total Cost: Stress and 1 closed-off room

Why Pre-Finished is Worth The Investment

Pre-finished black doors are an investment that saves time and energy. They’re delivered ready to hang so that you can unbox, install, and enjoy.

• Quality Factory Finish: Means long time durability with a professional look. Our pre-finished doors are sprayed in a factory environment to avoid dust and brush strokes. 

• Long Term Durability: Factory finishes tend to last longer than DIY paint. Because they’re cured professionally, you don’t end up with gaps in or mistakes in the finish, keeping moisture out and giving your doors the best start to a long life. 

• Save Your Energy: House renovations take time and energy. We know how difficult it can be to schedule in another weekend for painting when your calendar is already full of other household renovation projects. Let us take the burden off you so that you can hang and enjoy.

For a quick overview, we’ve put together this handy table. But don’t take our word for it – check out our range of pre-finished black doors below to feel the power of time-saving for yourself.

Our Pre-finished Black Door Range

If you’re ready to make the jump into the joys of pre-finished black doors, then we’re here to help. Our Vision and Calibre Heritage ranges are all finished and ready to hang. Take a look at our pre-finished black doors range.