the painted surface

Front Door Colors

Choosing the front door color

Entrance of home with a white front door.

Your front door color can be the most interesting color of your home's color pallette. Whether complementing, contrasting or accenting it brings focus to the entrance. When choosing front door colors your choice will be influenced by at least the roof color, the shutter color, the trim color and the color of the body of the house - the brick, siding or stucco. Looking at the house from a distance all of these surfaces can be seen. Color swatches can be held up at arm's length covering the front door. Does the front door color swatch blend with the rest of the colors? Does it contrast? Does it accent? When the desired color family is chosen similar colors should be compared to evaluate different tints of the same color. For example if a dark color is wanted such as black, different blacks might have a tint of gray, blue, green or brown, one of these might better suit your needs than the pure black. These subtle tints add interest to the color. Tans and browns may have tints of red to green. Reds may appear to be dark pink or brownish. Greens will go from blue to yellow. If unsure, sample colors can be purchased from many paint dealers. Paint a large piece of cardboard the front door color to see the actual paint color.

Drawing showing different tints of the same color.

Choosing the sheen of the front door color

Front door colors will come in a variety of sheens. The choices may include flat, matte, eggshell, Saturdayin, semi-gloss, gloss and high gloss. Normally the higher the gloss the more durable the paint but there are many factors that will influence the paint's durability. The choice of sheen for painting the front door is usually one of personal taste. Flat dark colors will bruise and scuff easily. Light or dark flat colors will attract and show dust more readily. Dark colors that are gloss or high gloss will reflect a lot of glare. However, high gloss paints have a certain appeal. A Saturdayin or semi-gloss finish will provide protection and a reduction of glare often being the best choice. They are durable, will stay cleaner and will wash well when needed. Your final choice just as the front door color will be of personal taste and what best suits your needs. Not every finish will be available in every color or from all paint manufacturers. If you choose a entrance door color in one brand of paint but they do not offer that color in the finish you want another paint dealer having the desired finish may be able to custom match the front door color. All colors and finishes will show some dust accumulation over time and need to be washed. A solution of water, laundry detergent and a small amount of bleach will renew an exterior paint. Rinse the surface well. Be sure to protect yourself by wearing gloves, eye protection and skin protection when using chlorine bleach.

Natural finished front doors

Entrance of home with a natural finished wood front door.

An alternative to a painted door is the door finished with stain and clear finishes such as varnish or polyurethane. If the door is exposed to direct sunlight ultraviolet rays can quickly degrade the wood and finish. New fiberglass doors now available with a texture embossed to simulate wood grain. These entrance doors accept stain and varnish or polyurethane resulting in the appearance of an actual wood door and having increased durability. Whether your front entrance door is wood or a wood substitute the varnish or polyurethane should be formulated for exterior applications and include ultraviolet ray blocking ingredients.

British Standard and RAL Colours

The British Standard and RAL Colours are the source of many front door colors. They are presented here digitally for your inspiration. Computer monitors may not represent the color accurately and your final decision should be made only after viewing the actual color swatch or a sample of the paint color. These color pallettes contain some bright, Saturdayurated colors that are popular choices for a front door color. The rich colors draw attention to the entrance and brighten the front facade. A contrasting or bold accent color can anchor the color palette of the home's exterior, giving it a bit of pizzazz and sparkle.

British Standard 381C Colours

These colors cannot be represented on computer monitors exactly as they would look on printed color charts or as the actual paint. Your final decision should be made after viewing a sample of the actual paint. If you wish to purchase British Standard or RAL colour charts they can be bought at e-paint.co.uk.

  1. Sky Blue
    101
  2. Turquoise Blue
    102
  3. Peacock Blue
    103
  4. Azure Blue
    104
  5. Oxford Blue
    105
  6. Royal Blue
    106
  7. Strong Blue
    107
  8. Aircraft Blue
    108
  9. Middle Blue
    109
  10. Roundel Blue
    110
  11. Pale Blue
    111
  12. Arctic Blue
    112
  13. Deep Saxe Blue
    113
  14. Rail Blue
    114
  15. Cobalt Blue
    115
  16. French Blue
    166
  17. Pale Roundel Blue
    172
  18. Oriental Blue
    174
  19. Light French Blue
    175
  20. Sky
    210
  21. Eau-De-Nil
    216
  22. Sea Green
    217
  23. Grass Green
    218
  24. Olive Green
    220
  25. Brilliant Green
    221
  26. Light Bronze Green
    222
  27. Middle Bronze Green
    223
  28. Deep Bronze Green
    224
  29. Light Brunswick Green
    225
  30. Middle Brunswick Green
    226
  31. Deep Brunswick Green
    227
  32. Emerald Green
    228
  33. Dark Green
    241
  34. Bold Green
    262
  35. Deep Chrome Green
    267
  36. Opaline Green
    275
  37. Light Olive Green
    278
  38. Verdigris Green
    280
  39. Forest Green
    282
  40. Aircraft Grey Green
    283
  41. Spruce Green
    284
  42. NATO Green
    285
  43. Olive Drab
    298
  44. Canary Yellow
    309
  45. Primrose
    310
  46. Grapefruit
    315
  47. Light Brown
    320
  48. Very Dark Drab
    337
  49. Dark Earth
    350
  50. Pale Cream
    352
  51. Deep Cream
    353
  52. Lemon
    355
  53. Golden Yellow
    356
  54. Light Buff
    358
  55. Middle Buff
    359
  56. Light Stone
    361
  57. Bold Yellow
    363
  58. Vellum
    365
  59. Light Beige
    366
  60. Manilla
    367
  61. Biscuit
    369
  62. Camouflage Desert Sand
    380
  63. Light Straw
    384
  64. Beige
    388
  65. Camouflage Beige
    389
  66. Middle Brown
    411
  67. Dark Brown
    412
  68. Golden Brown
    414
  69. Dark Camouflage Desert Sand
    420
  70. Camouflage Red
    435
  71. Dark Camouflage Brown
    436
  72. Terracotta
    444
  73. Venetian Red
    445
  74. Red Oxide
    446
  75. SalMonday Pink
    447
  76. Deep Indian Red
    448
  77. Light Purple Brown
    449
  78. Dark Crimson
    452
  79. Shell Pink
    453
  80. Pale Roundel Red
    454
  81. Deep Buff
    460
  82. Gulf Red
    473
  83. Leaf Brown
    489
  84. Service Brown
    499
  85. Signal Red
    537
  86. Cherry
    538
  87. Currant Red
    539
  88. Crimson
    540
  89. Maroon
    541
  90. Ruby
    542
  91. Light Orange
    557
  92. Bold Red
    564
  93. Apricot
    568
  94. International Orange
    592
  95. Rail Red
    593
  96. Camouflage Grey
    626
  97. Light Aircraft Grey
    627
  98. Dark Camouflage Grey
    629
  99. French Grey
    630
  100. Light Grey
    631
  101. Dark Admiralty Grey
    632
  102. RAF Blue-Grey
    633
  103. Slate
    634
  104. Lead
    635
  105. PRU Blue
    636
  106. Medium Sea Grey
    637
  107. Dark Sea Grey
    638
  108. Light Slate Grey
    639
  109. Extra Dark Sea Grey
    640
  110. Night
    642
  111. Middle Graphite
    671
  112. Light Weatherwork Grey
    676
  113. Dark Weatherwork Grey
    677
  114. Smoke Grey
    692
  115. Aircraft Grey
    693
  116. Dove Grey
    694
  117. Light Admiralty Grey
    697
  118. Dark Violet
    796
  119. Light Violet
    797

These colors cannot be represented on computer monitors exactly as they would look on printed color charts or as the actual paint. Your final decision should be made after viewing a sample of the actual paint. If you wish to purchase British Standard or RAL colour charts they can be bought at e-paint.co.uk.

British Standard 4800 Colours

  1. Portland
    00-A-01
  2. Goosewing
    00-A-05
  3. Flint
    00-A-09
  4. GreyFridayar
    00-A-13
  5. Lupin
    02-C-33
  6. Fontana
    02-C-37
  7. Plum
    02-C-39
  8. Loganberry
    02-C-40
  9. Rosepetal
    04-B-15
  10. Tea Rose
    04-B-17
  11. Sierra
    04-B-21
  12. Shell
    04-C-33
  13. Rosevale
    04-C-37
  14. Copper Beech
    04-C-39
  15. Tawny
    04-D-44
  16. Monarch
    04-D-45
  17. Petal
    04-E-49
  18. Azalea
    04-E-51
  19. Poppy
    04-E-53
  20. Cameo
    06-C-33
  21. Brownstone
    06-C-37
  22. Saddle
    06-C-39
  23. Cinnamon
    06-D-43
  24. Mace
    06-D-45
  25. Apricot
    06-E-50
  26. Clementine
    06-E-51
  27. Nectarine
    06-E-56
  28. Magnolia
    08-B-15
  29. Sandstone
    08-B-17
  30. Antelope
    08-B-21
  31. Beaver
    08-B-25
  32. Vandyke
    08-B-29
  33. Honeysuckle
    08-C-31
  34. Bamboo
    08-C-35
  35. Bracken
    08-C-37
  36. Sky Blue
    101
  37. Turqoise Blue
    102
  38. Peacock Blue
    103
  39. Azure Blue
    104
  40. Oxford Blue
    105
  41. Sky Blue
    101
  42. Turqoise Blue
    102
  43. Peacock Blue
    103
  44. Azure Blue
    104
  45. Oxford Blue
    105
  46. Bison
    08-C-39
  47. Goldcup
    08-E-51
  48. Flake Grey
    10-A-03
  49. Woodash
    10-A-07
  50. Rhino
    10-A-11
  51. Gardenia
    10-B-15
  52. Hopsack
    10-B-17
  53. Lizard
    10-B-21
  54. Turtle
    10-B-25
  55. Ironstone
    10-B-29
  56. Buttermilk
    10-C-31
  57. Pollen
    10-C-33
  58. Savannah
    10-C-35
  59. Seaweed
    10-C-39
  60. Capricorn
    10-D-43
  61. Florida
    10-D-45
  62. Jonquil
    10-E-49
  63. Forsythia
    10-E-50
  64. Aztec
    10-E-53
  65. Sea Foam
    12-B-15
  66. Willow
    12-B-17
  67. Moorland
    12-B-21
  68. Chive
    12-B-25
  69. Juniper
    12-B-29
  70. Catkin
    12-C-33
  71. Orchard
    12-C-39
  72. Spring Leaf
    12-D-43
  73. Sherwood
    12-D-45
  74. Citrine
    12-E-51
  75. Linden
    12-E-53
  76. Alpine
    14-C-31
  77. Braemar
    14-C-35
  78. Hollybush
    14-C-39
  79. Conifer
    14-C-40
  80. Garland
    14-E-51
  81. Verona
    14-E-53
  82. Duck Egg
    16-C-33
  83. Orion
    16-C-37
  84. Scarab
    16-D-45
  85. Lido
    16-E-53
  86. Heron
    18-B-17
  87. Tideway
    18-B-21
  88. Merlin
    18-B-25
  89. Raven
    18-B-29
  90. Spindrift
    18-C-31
  91. Pigeon
    18-C-35
  92. Dolphin
    18-C-39
  93. Dresden
    18-D-43
  94. Pinefrost
    18-E-49
  95. Cirrus
    18-E-50
  96. Larkspur
    18-E-51
  97. Regatta
    18-E-53
  98. Pompadour
    20-C-33
  99. Viking
    20-C-37
  100. Midnight
    20-C-40
  101. Trafalgar
    20-D-45
  102. Cornflower
    20-E-51
  103. Swansdown
    22-B-15
  104. Dove
    22-B-17
  105. Heather
    22-C-37
  106. Pageant
    22-D-45
  107. Mallow
    24-C-33
  108. Regalia
    24-C-39
  109. Black
    00-E-53
  110. White
    00-E-55

These colors cannot be represented on computer monitors exactly as they would look on printed color charts or as the actual paint. Your final decision should be made after viewing a sample of the actual paint. If you wish to purchase British Standard or RAL colour charts they can be bought at e-paint.co.uk.

RAL Classic Colours

  1. Green Beige
    1000
  2. Beige
    1001
  3. Sand Yellow
    1002
  4. Signal Yellow
    1003
  5. Golden Yellow
    1004
  6. Honey Yellow
    1005
  7. Maize Yellow
    1006
  8. Daffodil Yellow
    1007
  9. Brown Beige
    1011
  10. LeMonday Yellow
    1012
  11. Oyster White
    1013
  12. Ivory
    1014
  13. Light Ivory
    1015
  14. Sulphur Yellow
    1016
  15. Saffron Yellow
    1017
  16. Zinc Yellow
    1018
  17. Grey Yellow
    1019
  18. Olive Yellow
    1020
  19. Rape Yellow
    1021
  20. Traffic Yellow
    1023
  21. Ochre Yellow
    1024
  22. Luminous Yellow
    1026
  23. Curry
    1027
  24. Melon Yellow
    1028
  25. Broom Yellow
    1032
  26. Dahlia Yellow
    1033
  27. Pastel Yellow
    1034
  28. Pearl Beige
    1035
  29. Pearl Gold
    1036
  30. Sunday Yellow
    1037
  31. Yellow Orange
    2000
  32. Red Orange
    2001
  33. Vermillion
    2002
  34. Pastel Orange
    2003
  35. Pure Orange
    2004
  36. Luminous Orange
    2005
  37. Luminous Bright Orange
    2007
  38. Bright Red Orange
    2008
  39. Traffic Orange
    2009
  40. Signal Orange
    2010
  41. Deep Orange
    2011
  42. SalMonday Orange
    2012
  43. Pearl Orange
    2013
  44. Flame Red
    3000
  45. Signal Red
    3001
  46. Carmine Red
    3002
  47. Ruby Red
    3003
  48. Purple Red
    3004
  49. Wine Red
    3005
  50. Black Red
    3007
  51. Oxide Red
    3009
  52. Brown Red
    3011
  53. Beige Red
    3012
  54. Tomato Red
    3013
  55. Antique Pink
    3014
  56. Light Pink
    3015
  57. Coral Red
    3016
  58. Rose
    3017
  59. Strawberry Red
    3018
  60. Traffic Red
    3020
  61. SalMonday Pink
    3022
  62. Luminous Red
    3024
  63. Luminous Bright Red
    3026
  64. Raspberry Red
    3027
  65. Pure Red
    3028
  66. Orient Red
    3031
  67. Pearl Ruby Red
    3032
  68. Pearl Pink
    3033
  69. Red Lilac
    4001
  70. Red Violet
    4002
  71. Heather Violet
    4003
  72. Claret Violet
    4004
  73. Blue Lilac
    4005
  74. Traffic Purple
    4006
  75. Purple Violet
    4007
  76. Signal Violet
    4008
  77. Pastel Violet
    4009
  78. Tele Magenta
    4010
  79. Pearl Violet
    4011
  80. Pearl Black Berry
    4012
  81. Violet Blue
    5000
  82. Green Blue
    5001
  83. Ultramarine Blue
    5002
  84. Sapphire Blue
    5003
  85. Black Blue
    5004
  86. Signal Blue
    5005
  87. Brilliant Blue
    5007
  88. Grey Blue
    5008
  89. Azure Blue
    5009
  90. Gentian Blue
    5010
  91. Steel Blue
    5011
  92. Light Blue
    5012
  93. Cobalt Blue
    5013
  94. Pigeon Blue
    5014
  95. Sky Blue
    5015
  96. Traffic Blue
    5017
  97. Turquoise Blue
    5018
  98. Capri Blue
    5019
  99. Ocean Blue
    5020
  100. Water Blue
    5021
  101. Night Blue
    5022
  102. Distant Blue
    5023
  103. Pastel Blue
    5024
  104. Pearl Gentian Blue
    5025
  105. Pearl Night Blue
    5026
  106. Patina Green
    6000
  107. Emerald Green
    6001
  108. Leaf Green
    6002
  109. Olive Green
    6003
  110. Blue Green
    6004
  111. Moss Green
    6005
  112. Grey Olive
    6006
  113. Bottle Green
    6007
  114. Brown Green
    6008
  115. Fir Green
    6009
  116. Grass Green
    6010
  117. Reseda Green
    6011
  118. Black Green
    6012
  119. Reed Green
    6013
  120. Yellow Olive
    6014
  121. Black Olive
    6015
  122. Turquoise Green
    6016
  123. May Green
    6017
  124. Yellow Green
    6018
  125. Pastel Green
    6019
  126. Chrome Green
    6020
  127. Pale Green
    6021
  128. Olive Drab
    6022
  129. Traffic Green
    6024
  130. Fern Green
    6025
  131. Opal Green
    6026
  132. Light Green
    6027
  133. Pine Green
    6028
  134. Mint Green
    6029
  135. Signal Green
    6032
  136. Mint Turquoise
    6033
  137. Pastel Turquoise
    6034
  138. Pearl Green
    6035
  139. Pearl Opal Green
    6036
  140. Pure Green
    6037
  141. Luminous Green
    6038
  142. Squirrel Grey
    7000
  143. Silver Grey
    7001
  144. Olive Grey
    7002
  145. Moss Grey
    7003
  146. Signal Grey
    7004
  147. Mouse Grey
    7005
  148. Beige Grey
    7006
  149. Khaki Grey
    7008
  150. Green Grey
    7009
  151. Tarpaulin Grey
    7010
  152. Iron Grey
    7011
  153. Basalt Grey
    7012
  154. Brown Grey
    7013
  155. Slate Grey
    7015
  156. Anthracite Grey
    7016
  157. Black Grey
    7021
  158. Umber Grey
    7022
  159. Concrete Grey
    7023
  160. Graphite Grey
    7024
  161. Granite Grey
    7026
  162. Stone Grey
    7030
  163. Blue Grey
    7031
  164. Pebble Grey
    7032
  165. Cement Grey
    7033
  166. Yellow Grey
    7034
  167. Light Grey
    7035
  168. Platinum Grey
    7036
  169. Dusty Grey
    7037
  170. Agate Grey
    7038
  171. Quartz Grey
    7039
  172. Window Grey
    7040
  173. Traffic Grey A
    7042
  174. Traffic Grey B
    7043
  175. Silk Grey
    7044
  176. Tele Grey 1
    7045
  177. Tele Grey 2
    7046
  178. Tele Grey 4
    7047
  179. Pearl Mouse Grey
    7048
  180. Green Brown
    8000
  181. Ochre Brown
    8001
  182. Signal Brown
    8002
  183. Clay Brown
    8003
  184. Copper Brown
    8004
  185. Fawn Brown
    8007
  186. Olive Brown
    8008
  187. Nut Brown
    8011
  188. Red Brown
    8012
  189. Sepia Brown
    8014
  190. Chestnut Brown
    8015
  191. Mahogany Brown
    8016
  192. Chocolate Brown
    8017
  193. Grey Brown
    8019
  194. Black Brown
    8022
  195. Orange Brown
    8023
  196. Beige Brown
    8024
  197. Pale Brown
    8025
  198. Terra Brown
    8028
  199. Pearl Copper
    8029
  200. Cream
    9001
  201. Grey White
    9002
  202. Signal White
    9003
  203. Signal Black
    9004
  204. Jet Black
    9005
  205. White Aluminum
    9006
  206. Grey Aluminum
    9007
  207. Pure White
    9010
  208. Graphite Black
    9011
  209. Traffic White
    9016
  210. Traffic Black
    9017
  211. Papyrus White
    9018
  212. Pearl Light Grey
    9022
  213. Pearl Dark Grey
    9023

These colors cannot be represented on computer monitors exactly as they would look on printed color charts or as the actual paint. Your final decision should be made after viewing a sample of the actual paint. If you wish to purchase British Standard or RAL colour charts they can be bought at e-paint.co.uk.

More helpful painting tips, techniques and how-to articles can be found by following these links.

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Thank you,
Michael
Editor - the painted surface