Choosing the Right Finish for a Garage Door: Stained vs. Painted Wood Doors

July 16, 2025

Choosing the right finish for a wood garage or entry door is one of the last and most rewarding parts of the design process. It’s when you finalize your door and give it the final touches that make it a part of your home. At Cambek, we craft custom wood garage doors with uncompromising attention to detail, and we understand how much of a difference the right finish makes.

Should you choose paint or stain for your wood garage or entry door? Your choice will impact the way your door fits in with your home.

Understanding the Basics: Paint vs. Stain

Before diving into the pros and cons, it helps to understand how paint and stain interact with wood:

Paint sits on the surface of the wood, forming a solid, opaque barrier that completely covers the wood grain. It allows for a wide variety of color options and finishes, from matte to high gloss.
Stain penetrates the wood, enhancing its natural grain and texture. Stains are typically more transparent and earth-toned, offering a more organic and natural look.

Both finishes are designed to protect the wood from moisture, UV rays, and general wear, but they do so in very different ways.

The Case for Stain

Staining is a favorite among homeowners who appreciate the inherent beauty of natural wood. When you choose a stain finish, you’re opting to enhance rather than cover.

The Pros of Stain:

Natural Look: stain showcases the richness, warmth, and unique grain patterns of real wood. No two stained doors look exactly the same; each one tells its own story.
Subtle Enhancement: perfect for homes with a rustic, craftsman, or traditional architectural style.
Less Likely to Peel: because it seeps into the wood, stain is less prone to chipping or peeling compared to paint.
Easier Touch-Ups: when refinishing is needed, it typically requires less prep work and fewer coats than repainting.

The Cons of Stain:

Limited Color Range: stains come in a range of wood-toned hues but can’t achieve the bolder or brighter colors that paint allows.
More Frequent Maintenance: clear or lightly tinted stains offer less UV protection than solid finishes, meaning the door may need more frequent reapplication to maintain its look.
Surface Preparation Matters: uneven wood grain or blotching can occur if the door isn’t properly prepared and sealed.

About Our Nano technology Stain Finish

Our three-coat, water-based stain finish is extremely flexible and will not crack, flake, chalk, blister, or lift from wood substrate when applied. It provides optimum protection against the weather, allowing wood to withstand direct exposure to rain, snow, sunlight, and moisture, while still allowing the wood to breathe. Nanoparticulates within the finish allow for superior UV resistance and greater color stability. Choose from multiple stain colors. Custom color matching is available.

The Case for Paint

If your design style leans more contemporary, or if your home has bold trim or a distinct color palette, paint may be the right finish for your wood garage or entry door.

The Pros of Paint:

Wide Color Variety: from classic white and black to modern navy or deep forest green, paint allows for unlimited color customization.
Sleek Appearance: a painted door offers a smooth, uniform look that can either stand out as a design focal point or blend seamlessly with the surrounding architecture.
More UV Protection: high-quality exterior paint can provide excellent protection from sun damage and fading.
Greater Flexibility: if you want your garage door to match other painted elements of your home (like window trim or shutters) paint gives you that freedom.

The Cons of Paint:

Hides Natural Wood Grain: unlike stain, paint completely conceals the character of the wood beneath.
Can Peel or Chip: if not properly applied or maintained, paint can crack, peel, or blister over time—especially in harsh climates.
Harder to Touch Up: paint touch-ups can be more noticeable, particularly if the color has faded or changed over time.

Why Matching Matters: Creating a Cohesive Exterior

Whether you choose stain or paint, your finish choice should fit into the larger visual context of your home.

Your garage and entry doors don’t have to be identical, but they should coordinate. Think of them as visual partners; they are two key focal points on your facade that should speak the same design language.

Stained doors can create a harmonious, upscale look when both entry and garage doors feature the same tone and wood grain.
Painted doors can either contrast the siding color for a dramatic pop or match surrounding trim for a cohesive, modern appearance.

Your finish should also work with:

Siding material and color (brick, stucco, wood, vinyl, stone)
Roof color and style
Exterior trim, shutters, and window frames
Landscaping elements (pathways, fencing, greenery)

Choosing a finish that complements these features helps your home feel balanced, inviting, and architecturally intentional.

Climate, Maintenance, and Longevity

In addition to how your door looks, your climate and lifestyle should influence your decision.

Harsh sunlight? Paint may offer better UV protection.
Historic home with artisan woodwork? Stain may be the best way to honor its craftsmanship.
Looking for easy refinishing down the line? Stain generally requires less prep than paint.
Want a low-maintenance, color-consistent door? A painted finish may perform better over time.

Let Form and Function Work Together

The decision to paint or stain your garage or entry door comes down to two things: the story you want your home to tell, and the performance you need over time.

Choose stain if you want to highlight craftsmanship, grain, and the natural warmth of real wood.
Choose paint if you’re aiming for bold, clean lines and a broader color palette.

Whatever you decide, Cambek’s artisans are here to help guide the process—from design consultation to finishing details—so your door is not only built to perform but also crafted to elevate the beauty of your home.

Need help deciding between paint and stain? Contact Cambek today to speak with one of our design experts or explore our gallery of exquisite custom doors for inspiration.