High Gloss Vs. Polyurethane for Painting Trim & Doors

High Gloss Paint

• High-gloss or semi-gloss interior paint gives trim and doors a hard, shiny finish and comes in a variety of colors to complement many decorating styles. It is available in assorted formulas including latex, oil-based and alkyd-based paints. Gloss paints are frequently used to paint the walls and ceilings of kitchens and bathrooms based on their longwearing shine and resistance to moisture, grease and dirt.

Polyurethane Finishes

• Polyurethane is a type of clear varnish which is applied over finished wood or painted surfaces to give them a clear, protective coating. It comes in formulas that create satin, semi-gloss or gloss finishes. Polyurethane is preferred for interior doors and trim because of its toughness and resilience after soap and water cleaning. However, if the doors and trim are in an area regularly exposed to sunlight, standard polyurethane has a propensity to yellow and crack. Polyurethane stains are hard, easy to clean and let the natural grain of wood show through but give a plastic finish that detracts from its natural warmth.

High Gloss Advantages and Drawbacks

• If you are working with unfinished doors and trim, high-gloss paint is an easy, one-step coating. High-gloss latex paint has minimal odor, dries quickly, and is easy to clean off of paint brushes and rollers with soap and water. The quick drying nature of the paint can be a drawback in extremely dry atmospheres as brush marks may be visible in the finish. Before painting over high-gloss paint or coating it with varnish, the surface must be dulled by light sanding or a liquid dulling solution to make the top coat adhere.

Polyurethane Pros and Cons

• Previously painted doors and trim that need nothing more than a layer of protection are reasonable candidates for polyurethane coatings. Polyurethane stains are the practical option to protect unpainted wood without concealing its natural grain. The drawbacks of polyurethane are its strong, lingering odor and the clean up, which requires chemical solvents to remove it from brushes and rollers.