Engineered front door paint

modelreject

Hi,

I am going to be purchasing a an external door which is engineered, the veneer being mahogany.

What I need to know is, can I use water based paint. There are varying opinions so I am not sure if there is a correct or incorrect answer. The reason I ask is that the paint I want to use is only water based.

Many thanks,
MR

Furts

I would expect a mahogany veneer external door to be pre finished. Hardwoods are not usually painted. I would be concerned that a paint, particularly water based, might lift the veneer. I appreciate that you say it is an external door but the concept of a veneer external door sounds a little suspect. It would depend on the degree of exposure, the shelter, the sun protection, the manufacturer and the guarantee. So, the definitive answer is to ask careful questions to the manufacturer.

modelreject

Thanks for that information. I thought most front doors would be engineered these days. I live in Belfast and no-one provides solid wood doors (well, at least not the one I would be looking to install).

This is the door in question, http://www.doorways.co.uk/richmond-unglazed-door-15-946592#productimage

There is very little information and doesn't state if there is a treatment already on the veneer.

'It would depend on the degree of exposure, the shelter, the sun protection'. From what I read, it states that engineered doors would be better in these situations due to the layering that prevents warping etc found with hardwood doors?

What do you mean by, 'Hardwoods are not usually painted'?

Many thanks as I am totally new to this and just trying to get as much info as possible before making a decision.

MR

Reece_

Nothing suspect about veneered doors, they're extremely common, you're hard pushed to find a 100% solid real wood constructed door from any main supplier.
Different manufacturers will specify what finishes you can use on their doors, I don't think I've come across one that says not to use water based paints, usually it's just to avoid waxes and oils, and this is not because of de-lamination but because if not done thoroughly it won't seal the door well enough to avoid warping hence they don't want to condone the use of them and have complaints.
I've certainly used water based paints on a lot of external doors such as the one you link to and not had any issues.

Furts

modelreject wrote: »

Thanks for that information. I thought most front doors would be engineered these days. I live in Belfast and no-one provides solid wood doors (well, at least not the one I would be looking to install).

This is the door in question, http://www.doorways.co.uk/richmond-unglazed-door-15-946592#productimage

There is very little information and doesn't state if there is a treatment already on the veneer.

'It would depend on the degree of exposure, the shelter, the sun protection'. From what I read, it states that engineered doors would be better in these situations due to the layering that prevents warping etc found with hardwood doors?

What do you mean by, 'Hardwoods are not usually painted'?

Many thanks as I am totally new to this and just trying to get as much info as possible before making a decision.

MR

Contrary to some opinions engineered veneer doors are suspect. I have new external doors of this description fitted inside my home. They are from a reputable manufacturer with a guarantee. Namely XL Joinery with a ten year guarantee. They were purchased through a reputable timber merchants forming part of the building industry.

The quality is par for the course these days. They are dire and I would never, ever, entertain fitting these doors externally regardless of what the company or any forum users might state. Used internally they are acceptable provided one does not look too closely.

However, the market is driven by price, and not by quality. Quality hardwood doors are, for most people, a thing of the past.

Good, solid, treated, softwood external doors are a different matter. Likewise good external hardwood doors can be purchased, or made.

modelreject

Aha. This is my problem. 2 people with varying opinions so how can I make a choice?

I will keep searching for someone to make a solid hardwood door.

Thanks all.

Reece_

Ultimately if your budget allows for a completely solid hardwood door then that will be head and shoulders above any composite type, but don't expect the cost to be anywhere close to the one you linked to.
These type of doors are extremely common and whilst some manufacturers finish isn't great they are up to the job of being an external door, they're generally very stable and looked after properly will last well, I've fitted hundreds of these doors, the oldest one that I still see as I do work occasionally still for the homeowner is around 8 years old I think and still looks in good condition and never had issues with it. There is a place in the market for these doors, and I'd prefer a composite hardwood veneer door to a softwood door any day.
If you can afford to get a solid door and you intend have no long term plans of moving then go for it, it will be a good investment , if out of budget or you intend to move in a few years then I'd personally not have an issue in having a composite.

modelreject

@Reece

The engineered door you refer to, was it painted?