A new front door

[BudAshes]

So we're getting a new front door and our handman says to stain it before it goes up, while the painter is saying he wants to stain it after it is installed. What do you guys think?

 

[Zebo]

I would listen to a painter about painting.

 

[JEDIYoda]

why stain the door at all...a naturale is the way to go....

 

[lxskllr]

My inclination would be staining before installation, but I don't know much. The painter should know how to handle it best, but you can't always go by that. There's dumb asses everywhere.

 

[JulesMaximus]

why stain the door at all...a naturale is the way to go....

Water swells wood, you don't want that on a door...or any wood actually. Except maybe driftwood.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My inclination would be staining before installation, but I don't know much. The painter should know how to handle it best, but you can't always go by that. There's dumb asses everywhere.

The installer may have to plane off a bit of the door to get it to fit properly so staining it after makes sense to me.

 

[BoomerD]

Install the door, remove it for staining and any polyurethane-type of coating, reinstall door. That way, the finish doesn't get buggered up during the install process.

 

[SandEagle]

gee, what kind of job does a handman do?

i had a fiberglass door installed. they told us to paint it after installation.

 

[jupiter57]

It's six of one & half dozen of the other.

If it is stained first, the installer will be less likely to get greasy/ dirty hand prints on it.

Painter wants it hung because it is easier for him in that he can do both sides at once, rather than stain one side, let it dry, then flipping it over to do the other side.

It is preferable to Stain/Seal/ Urethane it laying flat on sawhorses, let it dry, repeat on other side. Less likelihood of runs & drips.

 

[BudAshes]

The door is pre-hung so it won't have to be adjusted.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Install the door, remove it for staining and any polyurethane-type of coating, reinstall door. That way, the finish doesn't get buggered up during the install process.

This.

Painter wants it hung because it is easier for him in that he can do both sides at once, rather than stain one side, let it dry, then flipping it over to do the other side.

It is preferable to Stain/Seal/ Urethane it laying flat on sawhorses, let it dry, repeat on other side. Less likelihood of runs & drips.

And this. Painting it hung is easier, but will result in poorer quality. Painting it flat requires more time, has a chance that touchup work will have to be done, but a better quality coat. Hanging it, removing it, and then painting it will give you the best of both as far as quality goes.

 

[BoomerD]

The door is pre-hung so it won't have to be adjusted.

Pre-hung doors always need adjusting...

 

[SparkyJJO]

The door is pre-hung so it won't have to be adjusted.

Unless the opening the door is mounting in is 100% square and level, it will need adjusting.

 

[Humpy]

A pre-hung door will not need any 'adjusting', unless it was manufactured wrong. It should not need planing or to have the bottom trimmed. It's pre-hung, you can tell just by looking if it's going to need anything major.

The best thing to do (not the fastest or easiest) is before installation pull the door from the jamb, remove hinges, sweep, jamb weather stripping, and any other hardware. Seal, stain, and top coat the door. Make sure all six sides, hinge mortises, lock bores, etc. are sealed. Seal and stain the jamb completely (seal back side also) but do not top coat.

Reassemble and install. Plug screw holes in the jamb, touch up the stain, then top coat. Touch up the door itself at the same time if needed.

If a wood door has any real exposure to the elements it is far better to paint it rather than stain and clear coat.

I have installed thousands of doors and operate a custom door business. Take this free advice anyway you want.