Dark stained-wood interior doors were everywhere in homes built a couple of decades ago. Today they tend to make hallways and bedrooms feel darker and more dated than they need to. On this Calgary renovation, the homeowner wanted a brighter, more modern look, so we're refinishing the existing doors in a clean white instead of replacing them.
Why spray instead of brush and roll
Paneled doors have recessed panels, raised profiles, and edges that are hard to cover evenly with a brush. Brush marks and roller texture show up badly on a flat white door. An airless sprayer lays down a thin, even coat that flows into every profile and dries smooth, much closer to a factory-finished door.
Setting up for a clean finish
We do the spraying before the room's final finishes go on. The floor is fully covered with protective paper, and the doors are stood upright so both faces and all edges can be reached in one session. Hardware comes off first, and the old finish is cleaned and scuffed so the new paint bonds properly instead of peeling later.
Building up the coats
You can see in the video how quickly the dark wood disappears under the first pass, but one coat isn't the finish. We build it up in thin, overlapping coats, working top to bottom and panel by panel so there are no drips or heavy spots. Once it's dry, a light sand between coats keeps the final surface smooth to the touch.
The result
The same solid doors, now bright white. They make the whole space feel lighter and more current, for a fraction of the cost of buying and hanging new ones. Paired with fresh walls and trim, it's one of the most noticeable upgrades you can make in a renovation.
Have dated doors, trim, or cabinets you'd like refreshed? Get a free quote and we'll tell you what a spray-finish refresh would involve in your home.