Should I Paint My Aluminum Garage Doors?
Are you looking to repaint your garage doors? While outdated or shabby garage doors have a way of detracting significantly from the curb appeal of your home, a simple repainting can be an easy way to give your home a fresh look. But before you get out the paint and brushes, some careful consideration should be given to the decision of whether or not to paint your aluminum garage doors.
Potential Drawbacks of Painting Aluminum Garage Doors
- If your garage doors are wooden, there is little to worry about. However painting metal (steel or aluminum) doors can be a little more complicated. Most metal garage doors come with a coating of “baked enamel” or “powdercoat.” These coatings are very durable – they typically have a long life-span and require little maintenance. If you decide to paint over this factory-produced coating, the new paint job will need to be redone every five to ten years.
- Also, painting aluminum garage doors requires the use of oil based primer and paint. Oil based paints tend to emit more VOCs and are more difficult to clean up.
Benefits of Painting Aluminum Garage Doors
Nevertheless, there are also several circumstances under which it may be beneficial to repaint your garage doors.
- Adding Contrast – Garage doors are a prominent feature on many homes. Adding a contrasting color to your home by painting your garage door can go a long way in improving the overall aesthetic of your house.
- Matching a Repainting Job – Another excellent reason to consider painting your garage doors is simply to coordinate with a new exterior painting job. If your old garage door color does not complement the new color of your home you will need to repaint the doors as well.
- Replacing a Deteriorating Coat – Although durable, Baked enamel or powdercoats do not last forever and will eventually show signs of wear. At this point it may be better to repaint rather than replace the doors completely.
