Is it more expensive to paint a new door or walls?

I was recently asked this question, "Is it more expensive to paint a wall or a new, unfinished door?" This is a great question. Although a door is smaller than most walls, a door typically is more difficult to paint. It not only takes longer but requires more skill. A new unfinished door requires a complete prime coat. Once the primer dries, it will raise the woodgrain making it quite rough. The door then needs to be sanded and dusted down before applying two finish coats. When brushing the door, a painter must have a systematic pattern to avoid brush strokes and overlaps in the woodgrain.

Walls, whether new or existing, are easier because they require less prep work. Painting walls also does not require as much brush work. Handling a paint brush takes a number of years to get really good at it. A good brushman, can hand-brush a door and make it look almost sprayed.

So what is more expensive? Painting doors and wood trim always require more time and money than walls. Again it depends on how big and tall the walls are that need painting compared to the number of doors. If you want to save money but want a quality job, you can always paint the walls yourself and then hire a professional and experienced paint company to paint your trim. It is amazing how good your home can look with a quality painted trim.