Repainting may suit a sound interior door, while damage, function or performance requirements may favour repairs or replacement. Compare the actual preparation, finish, frame and installation scope before deciding.
NLL Guides
Painting internal doors: price per door and steps for a smooth finish
Dorde Lalic founder and ownerLinkedIn
The door lies flat while the surface is prepared and painted.
Quick answer
An interior door is prepared by cleaning, sanding and repairing damage, then primed and painted according to the chosen system. NLL lists labour for a door with repairs at 2,500–4,375 SEK per door including VAT before any applicable ROT; this is not a separate confirmed price for each interior-door type. Materials and other costs are additional.
Is painting interior doors worthwhile compared with replacing them?
Painting may be suitable if the door is sound and the desired finish can be achieved. Compare the assessed repainting and replacement scope; a new door does not always require a new frame. Compare repainting and replacement for the actual door, including its condition, required finish, frame and installation. NLL’s confirmed door-with-repairs labour range is not a separate tariff for each interior-door type. Ask for the proposed scope and price to be assessed.
How do you paint an interior door?
A suitable door-painting plan covers cleaning, surface preparation, repairs, any required primer and the specified finishing coats. The exact method depends on the door and chosen system. The steps in order:
- Degrease the door leaf with pre-paint cleaner, especially around the handle.
- Sand away the sheen and key glossy areas.
- Fill chips and screw holes, then sand the filler.
- Prime where required by the specified system for the substrate, existing coating and repairs.
- Apply the specified finishing coats and let the paint dry between them according to the instructions on the tin.
Follow the selected product’s preparation, coat thickness and drying instructions. The guide does not establish a proprietary NLL two-coat rule or guarantee a finish from coat number alone.
Which finish withstands daily use on an interior door?
Choose a product intended for interior doors and the required cleaning and wear resistance. Gloss level alone does not establish durability. Compare the selected product’s finish, cleaning resistance and substrate requirements. Colour changes may affect preparation or coverage, so check the full system rather than assuming primer alone resolves every change.
What does painting interior doors cost?
NLL’s confirmed labour range for a door with repairs is 2,500–4,375 SEK per door including VAT before any applicable ROT. A separate price for flush or panelled interior doors is not confirmed; materials and other costs are additional. The table identifies door types that need an assessed quote:
| Door type | Price including VAT | After full 30% ROT, if eligible |
|---|---|---|
| Flush interior door, good condition | Quoted after assessment | Quoted after assessment |
| Panelled door with mouldings | Quoted after assessment | Quoted after assessment |
Ask for each door type and the number of doors to be included in the quote. Any ROT deduction depends on eligibility and the agreed labour cost; a volume discount is not automatic. See the full scope under door painting and repairs.
Is winter the right time to paint doors?
Interior door work can be planned when suitable indoor conditions and access are available. Confirm scheduling for the actual project. Agree whether doors will be removed or painted in place and how access will be maintained. Ask for labour, materials, VAT and any conditional ROT deduction to be shown separately. Housing associations and companies should not assume an individual homeowner’s deduction applies.
Frequently asked questions
What paint should be used for interior doors?
Choose a system intended for the actual interior-door surface, with suitable finish and cleaning resistance. Gloss level alone does not prove durability.
Is it better to paint doors or buy new ones?
Compare the door’s condition, required performance and assessed work. Repainting may suit a sound door, while distortion, damage or new performance needs can favour repair or replacement.
Do I need to sand a door before painting it?
Preparation depends on the door, existing finish and selected product. Follow its cleaning, abrasion and primer instructions; do not assume one sanding method is suitable for every coating or foil surface.
Should I paint an interior door with a brush or roller?
Use tools permitted by the selected product and suitable for the door’s profiles. Follow its application, coat thickness and drying instructions rather than one universal brush-and-roller rule.
Can foil-wrapped interior doors be painted?
Only if the proposed system is documented as suitable for the actual foil and its condition. Confirm compatibility and use a suitable test area; loose or damaged foil may need a different solution.
