Category: Blog

Key Takeaways:

• Use oil-based, acrylic latex, or enamel paint specifically made for exterior metal surfaces.
• Start with a quality metal-specific primer to protect against rust and peeling.
• Choose semi-gloss or high-gloss paint for weather resistance and easier maintenance.
• For better heat control and longer color life, choose lighter shades and trusted brands like Benjamin Moore.
• Premium steel doors deserve quality prep, tools, and paint for the best results over time.

Why Paint Type Matters for Exterior Metal Doors

Choosing the right paint for an exterior metal door is more than a style decision—it affects durability, rust prevention, and overall performance. Whether it’s a steel entry door, garage door, or a sleek pivot door, the paint you pick plays a big role in how your door stands up to time and weather.

The biggest mistake homeowners make is using the wrong kind of paint, which can peel, bubble, or fade quickly under sun and rain. With the right product, you not only protect your steel doors, but you also highlight their design—especially when dealing with custom specialty doors like the ones crafted by Euroline Steel Windows and Doors.

Exterior Doors Face the Harshest Conditions

Unlike interior doors, exterior ones deal with heat, moisture, wind, and direct sunlight. So paint used here needs to have solid weather resistance. That’s why your average interior paint won’t do the trick. It lacks the binding and protective qualities needed for exterior doors.

Whether you’re working with French doors, entry doors, or folding doors, you need paint that keeps its color and finishes no matter the forecast. This also applies to larger panels like glass bi-fold doors and large-paneled sliding doors, which have more surface area exposed to outdoor conditions.

The Best Paint Types for Exterior Metal Doors

When shopping for paint, focus on durability and how well it bonds with metal. The most commonly recommended types for metal doors include:

1. Oil-Based Paints:

Long-lasting and ideal for steel windows and doors, oil-based paints provide a hard finish that resists scratching and weather damage. They’re great for garage doors, metal garage doors, or any high-use area.

2. Acrylic Latex Paint:

This water-based option is popular due to its low odor and easy cleanup. If you use an acrylic latex exterior house paint, it should be labeled for metal use and paired with a proper metal-specific primer.

3. Enamel Paint:

Best known for its glossy finish, enamel paint is ideal for creating a high-end look on steel doors, pivot doors, and swing doors. It also resists fading and cracking over time.

4. Epoxy Paint:

This industrial-strength paint is a good match for security doors or exterior metal side doors that need an extra layer of protection. It’s highly durable but less common for residential use due to cost and application needs.

Avoid using chalkboard paint, lacquer spray paint, or anything not specifically labeled for outdoor or metal use. Also, never paint over lead-based paint—always use a paint stripper and follow safety protocols if you’re unsure of what’s underneath.

Priming the Right Way

Paint alone won’t stick to metal properly. Always begin with an exterior primer made of metal. This step is essential, even if your door is brand new. A good primer blocks moisture, stops rust, and helps the topcoat adhere properly. Some top-rated options include oil-based primers and water-based products like Kitz Adhesion Bonding Primer or water-based latex primer.

Especially when working with high-performance door systems, skipping primer can reduce the paint’s lifespan drastically. If your specialty doors or EuroLine steel windows are part of a larger system with thermal breaks or custom glazing, proper priming becomes even more important for maintaining energy efficiency.

Finishing Matters: Gloss, Semi-Gloss, or Satin?

The finish you choose affects more than looks. For steel windows and doors, a semi-gloss finish or high-gloss paint is often the best pick. These finishes repel moisture, and dirt, and are easier to clean—important for outdoor areas. They also highlight the clean lines and craftsmanship in bi-fold doors, pivot doors, and swing doors.

Flat or matte finishes are generally not recommended for exteriors. They absorb more water and show wear faster. Gloss finishes reflect more light, making front doors or accordion doors pop visually from the curb.

Color Family and Retention

Choosing the right color is about more than style. Darker shades absorb more heat, which can expand metal and cause cracking over time. That’s something to consider when painting steel doors in climates with hot summers. Lighter colors, like off-whites and grays, reflect heat and retain their look longer.

Brands like Benjamin Moore offer exterior paints with great color retention, especially in collections made for exterior house paint. Their acrylic lines combine rich color with flexible binders—ideal for metal door applications.

Tools That Make the Job Easier

Quality tools make a noticeable difference. Use a paint sprayer for even coats on larger door types, like glass bi-fold doors or folding glass walls. For smaller areas or edges, foam rollers or brushes with synthetic bristles work best. You’ll also want:

• A good paint scraper for old or cracked paint,
• Painter’s tape to protect hardware and glass,
• A door wedge to hold the door steady,
• A drop cloth to protect the flooring.

Before painting, always remove door hardware, door knobs, or weather stripping for cleaner results.

Don’t Forget the Details

Good paint won’t hide poor prep. You’ll want to sand rough areas, clean the door with a degreaser, and fix any dents. Follow the paint and installation instructions on the can—especially for dry times and second coats.

For pre-hung doors or slab doors, pay attention to the edges and trim areas, which often wear out faster due to sun and wind exposure.

Maintenance After Painting

Even the best paint job needs care. Wipe down your exterior doors seasonally, check for chips, and touch up if needed. Garage doors, Patio doors, and other high-use entries may need more frequent cleaning.

If your door faces direct rain or sun, applying a second coat of paint every few years will help keep it looking fresh. Using the right finish also helps in long-term protection from weather damage.

Designed to Last with the Right Paint

If you’re working with steel windows and doors like those made by Euroline Steel Windows and Doors, you’re not just dealing with any metal surface. These are finely engineered, often used in luxury builds, and need paint that complements their strength and style.

From bi-fold doors to pivot doors, every product we offer is made with purpose, care, and exact standards. The right paint helps carry that quality all the way through—from visual appeal to long-term performance.

Choosing Paint for Euroline Steel Doors

The best paint doesn’t just match your home—it matches your door. At Euroline Steel Windows and Doors, our products are built for performance and finish. Whether you’re painting a new front door, upgrading sliding doors, or maintaining specialty doors, choosing the right paint is the final touch that keeps everything in harmony.

We support our customers with design consultation, custom finishes, and engineering support, making it easier to get the most from your doors. If you’re ready to make a smart choice for your exterior, we’re here to help guide every step.

Key Takeaways:

• Old door openings often need adjustments to fit new fire-rated steel doors properly. Check frame size, wall thickness, and swing direction before ordering.
• Choose between bi-fold doors for tight spaces, French doors for natural light, or pivot doors for modern looks – all available in fire-resistant versions.
• Fire ratings only work if doors are installed perfectly. Use steel shims and proper seals, and never modify the door after purchase.
• Fire-rated seals, approved hardware, and visible labels are just as important as the door itself for meeting building codes.
• Retrofitting fire doors is complex work. Our expert installation team ensures your doors are actually protected when needed.

Retrofitting older buildings with fire-resistant steel doors isn’t as simple as swapping out an old door for a new one. There are measurements to check, building codes to follow, and tricky framing situations to navigate. But when done right, upgrading to fire-rated specialty doors can seriously boost a building’s safety without sacrificing style. At Euroline Steel Windows and Doors, we’ve helped architects and builders tackle these projects for years—here’s what we’ve learned.

Why Retrofitting Fire-Resistant Steel Doors Matters

Older buildings often have wooden doors or basic steel doors that don’t stand up to fire. Swapping them out for fire-rated stainless steel models gives people more time to evacuate and helps contain flames. The difference between a standard door and a fire-resistant one could be the reason a small fire stays small instead of spreading.

But here’s the catch: retrofitting isn’t just about the door itself. You’ve got to think about the frame, the wall structure, and even how the door swings. A double-swinging door in a restaurant kitchen has different needs than a pivot door in a high-end office.

Step 1: Measure Twice, Order Once

The biggest mistake in retrofit projects? Assuming the old door opening will fit a new fire-rated one. Older buildings often have uneven frames or odd-sized openings. Here’s what to check:

• Rough opening size – Fire-rated steel doors need exact clearances to keep their rating. Too tight, and the door won’t close properly during a fire. Too loose, and flames can sneak through gaps.
• Wall thickness – Many older walls aren’t thick enough for modern commercial doors. You might need to add framing or adjust the jamb.
• Swing direction – A swing door that used to open inward might need to switch outward for safety reasons.

Pro tip: Our team at Euroline Steel Windows and Doors offers pre-installation checks to avoid surprises on delivery day.

Step 2: Choose the Right Door for the Space

Not all fire-resistant steel doors work the same way. Here’s how to pick:

• Bi-fold doors – Great for tight spaces where a traditional swing door won’t fit.
• French doors – If you need natural light plus fire protection, glass-filled steel French doors are a sleek option.
• Barn doors – Not all sliding doors work for fire ratings, but some specialty doors can if properly installed.

Material matters too. While stainless steel is the go-to for durability, some projects mix materials like Aluminum Wood for a warmer look. Just make sure whatever you choose meets performance standards for fire resistance.

Step 3: Prep the Opening (This Is Where Most Jobs Go Wrong)

Fire-rated doors lose their rating if installed wrong. Here’s the right way to prep:

• Remove old framing – Don’t just slap a new door into a rotting wood frame. Tear out everything and start fresh.
• Check wall materials – If the walls have flammable materials like certain insulations, you’ll need to add fireproof barriers.
• Anchor properly – Use heavy-duty anchors designed for fire-resistant materials, not just standard screws.

Fun fact: A properly installed fire-rated steel door can block heat up to 1,600°F—that’s hotter than a wood-fired pizza oven.

Step 4: Installation Tricks Only Pros Know

Even the best modern doors fail if installed poorly. Here’s what the experts do:

• Shim evenly – Uneven gaps affect how the door seals during a fire. Use steel shims, not wood.
• Test the seal – The door should close snugly without sticking. If it doesn’t, the frame isn’t square.
• Don’t modify the door – Drilling extra holes for hardware? That can void the fire rating.

For pivot doors or double doors, the installation process gets trickier. These often need custom hinges and closer systems to meet building codes.

Step 5: Finish Strong (Seals, Hardware, and Final Checks)

The last 10% of the job makes all the difference:

• Install fire-rated seals – These expand when heated, sealing off smoke. Skip them, and the door might as well be decorative.
• Choose code-approved hardware – From hinges to handles, every piece must be rated for fire doors.
• Label it – After passing inspection, the door needs its fire rating label visible. No label = no protection in the eyes of the law.

Common Retrofit Challenges (And How to Solve Them)

• Historic buildings – Can’t replace original wood species like Douglas Fir? Some fire-rated doors can be clad in wood veneers to match.
• Glass requirements – Need light transmittance but worried about heat? Fire-rated glass with a low solar heat gain coefficient helps.
• Weird layouts – Corners, tight halls, or uneven floors? Our broad range of specialty doors includes solutions for tricky spots.

Why This Isn’t a DIY Job

You wouldn’t rewire a building without an electrician, and you shouldn’t retrofit fire doors without pros. One wrong step can turn a life-saving door into a fancy decoration. At Euroline Steel Windows and Doors, we offer expert installation services to ensure every door performs when it matters most.

Safety Meets Style: Fireproof Doors for Any Space

Retrofitting fire-resistant steel doors takes more planning than new construction, but the safety boost is worth it. Whether you’re upgrading a downtown loft or a commercial building, the right door and proper installation keep people safe without ruining the building’s natural beauty.

Ready to start your project? Check out our wide range of fire-rated steel doors and exterior doors designed for retrofit jobs. Because when it comes to fire safety, “good enough” isn’t good enough.

Visit us to see doors that protect without compromising on style.