How to get the worn out timber look for garage doors

If you’re looking to give your garage door a rustic, unique appearance, creating a weathered, timber look finish is a simple and easy way to do so. Painting ordinary roller doors to look like wood is an inexpensive way to improve curb appeal and add some visual interest. All you need is a few tools and supplies, some patience, and a little artistic flair.

What you’ll need:

• A large, good quality paintbrush
• Masking tape
• Paint roller
• Paint tray
• Cotton rags and/or disposable paper towels
• Rubber gloves
• Light to medium brown exterior paint
• Dark brown gel stain

How to begin

Before beginning to paint your garage door, it’s important to prep it correctly. Ensure the door is fully cleaned, with no dirt, dust or debris remaining on the surface. If the paint on your door is in less-than-ideal condition, you may need to sand it to remove any rust. You will also need to sand your door if it has a glazed paint finish to remove the sheen. Wash your door with soap and water and a pressure washer at the lowest setting if available.

How to choose a stain

Choose a stain that suits the type of look you’re going for. Dark walnut is an excellent choice for an authentic, rustic look. Make sure you choose a stain with a matte rather than glossy finish, and colour test before you begin to check if the results are satisfactory.

Painting your door

Begin by painting your garage door with a light/medium brown or caramel coloured base coat. The purpose of beginning with a lighter base coat is so you can add depth later on with your dark brown stain. If you want a truly weathered look, a second base coat is not necessary – if some lighter paint shows through the dark stain, it will add to the aged appearance. Let the base paint completely dry before moving onto the next step.

To add a distressed look after your paint has dried, use a sanding block to work on corners, edges, or any other areas that would naturally appear distressed. After this step, you can apply your stain, following the general direction of the door. Unlike regular stain, gel stain can simply be painted on and left to dry. After 24-48 hours of drying time, your new door will be finished.

Of course, if all of this work seems overwhelming, many companies offer timber look doors (https://www.doorsystemsaustralia.com.au/timber-look/) with all of the curb appeal and less of the effort!