Paint Interior Doors — Cost Calculator
Strip, prime, and paint standard interior doors with a fresh topcoat. Covers both sides and edges of each door.
Your Project
Quality tier
Price Comparison
| Item | Retailer | Qty | Unit | Line Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation | ||||
| Sandpaper (120 grit)4 sheets | Homebase | 2 | £2.75 | £5.50 |
| Sugar Soap500 ml bottle | Screwfix | 1 | £2.65 | £2.65 |
| Primer | ||||
| Wood Primer Undercoat750 ml tin | Screwfix | 2 | £12.95 | £25.90 |
| Topcoat | ||||
| Satinwood / Eggshell Paint750 ml tin | Screwfix | 3 | £14.99 | £44.97 |
| Tools & Sundries | ||||
| Angled Brush (2 in)1 brush | Screwfix | 1 | £2.99 | £2.99 |
| Total | £82.01 | |||
| Cheapest per item across Homebase, Screwfix | ||||
DIY vs Hiring a Tradesperson
£200.00 – £320.00
£50.00 – £80.00 per door
£117.99 – £237.99
Shopping List (Mix & Match)
Preparation
- 2 × 4 sheetsSandpaper (120 grit)Homebase£5.50
- 1 × 500 ml bottleSugar SoapScrewfix£2.65
Primer
- 2 × 750 ml tinWood Primer UndercoatScrewfix£25.90
Topcoat
- 3 × 750 ml tinSatinwood / Eggshell PaintScrewfix£44.97
Tools & Sundries
- 1 × 1 brushAngled Brush (2 in)Screwfix£2.99
Painting interior doors is one of the most satisfying DIY jobs you can tackle in a weekend. A fresh coat of paint transforms tired-looking rooms for relatively little cost, and with the right preparation, the results rival a professional finish.
The key to a great result is thorough prep: sand the existing surface to create a key, wash with sugar soap to remove grease, and apply a primer if the wood is bare or you're making a significant colour change. Two thin coats of satinwood or eggshell always beat one thick coat.
Assumptions
- Standard interior door size: approx. 1981 mm × 762 mm (6 ft 6 in × 2 ft 6 in).
- Both sides and edges of each door are painted.
- One coat of primer on bare/sanded wood, two coats of topcoat.
- Doors are removed from hinges and painted flat on trestles.
- Surface area per door (both sides + edges): approx. 3.5 m².
- Material quantities include a 10% waste allowance.
What Affects the Cost
The biggest cost variable is whether you choose a standard trade paint like Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood or a premium brand like Farrow & Ball. Premium paints can cost four to five times more per litre, though they often have better coverage and a more luxurious finish.
Pack size makes a real difference too. If you're painting more than a couple of doors, buying 2.5 L tins works out significantly cheaper per litre than 750 ml tins. The calculator accounts for this by rounding up to whole packs — sometimes a bigger tin is cheaper than two small ones.
Preparation materials (sandpaper, sugar soap) are cheap but essential. Skipping prep to save a few pounds almost always leads to paint peeling within months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many coats of paint do I need on interior doors?
Two coats of topcoat (satinwood or eggshell) over one coat of primer on bare wood. If repainting over the same colour, you can often skip the primer and use two topcoats only.
Should I use gloss, satinwood, or eggshell on interior doors?
Satinwood and eggshell are the most popular choices for interior doors in the UK. They give a smooth, wipeable finish without the high shine of traditional gloss. Eggshell has a slightly flatter sheen than satinwood.
How long does it take to paint an interior door?
Allow about 1-2 hours of active work per door, plus drying time between coats. Most modern water-based paints are touch-dry in 1-2 hours and recoatable in 4 hours. You can typically do 4 doors in a weekend.
Do I need to remove the door to paint it?
Removing the door and painting it flat on trestles gives the best finish — no drips or runs. However, you can paint doors in place if you're careful. Use a small roller for flat panels and a brush for mouldings.
Can I paint over varnished doors?
Yes, but you must sand the varnish thoroughly first to create a key, then apply a suitable primer (shellac-based primers like Zinsser BIN work well on varnish). Without proper prep, paint won't adhere to the slick varnished surface.