Using Paint To Create A Six-Panel Door

A six-panel door lends a touch of elegance and class to a home. Whether on exterior or interior doors, the paneling detail creates more visual interest than a flat or plain door. Six-panel doors are more costly compared to other doors; they are typically heavier and the solid wood construction has the advantage of reducing the impact of sound in a room. You can imitate the look for much less money by using paint and molding; the effect created is dramatic and will bring out the best in your decor, whether you prefer to decorate with classic wood wall art or contemporary metal wall hangings.

Measure and mark for paneling: Decide on the placement and size of the panels on your door. You can have equal-sized panels placed in two vertical columns, or perhaps two smaller and four longer panels for a non-uniform look. Drawing your design on the door will help to determine the measurements and the scale of the molding you will need.

Cut and paint molding strips: You can purchase wood molding at a home improvement store. Using a miter box and a handsaw, cut the molding into strips needed to form the frame of the paneling. The measurements should be very precise and should be cut at 45 degree angles, so that the molding pieces will fit snugly against each other at right angles. To create six panels, you will need 24 strips in all. You may choose to paint the molding before attaching it onto the door, or apply the paint later on if you wish to give the entire door a fresh coat of paint.

Attach molding to the door: After making sure the molding is cut and fit to the correct length by laying out the panel design, use wood glue to attach the strips onto the door surface. A level will help you place the strips on in straight lines. Next, use a nail gun to secure the molding in place with small nails. You can fill in the nail holes with wood putty or a touch-up stick. Let the putty dry and paint over it for a clean finish.

For duo-toned panel doors: If you wish to add more color and depth to your six-panel door, have the space within the panels painted a different color than the door color. For a more subtle look, choose a panel color that is one or two shades darker than the door color. To create the duo-toned look, it is easier to paint the panel area before attaching the molding onto the door. Simply section off the area by sticking painter’s tape along the lines where the molding will be placed; then paint within the tape lines. After the paint is dry, peel off the tape and attach the molding.

For a paneled look without molding: If you do not want to use molding, you can create a six-panel look with just paint. Select two or three paint colors and use painter’s tape to create your panel design on the door. First paint the frame of the panels and allow it to dry completely, then tape over the frame so you can fill in the interior of the panels with a different color.