Hello! Sounds like you did your research. This is such a dilemma because I completely agree with you. These doors are dated because of the raised paneling. The shaker look will updated is so much more (great picks!). I would suggest painting them as you said to save the money. YES, this would make a big difference by changing them, but maybe that can be a project down the road. Painting is a nice solution for now.

Good luck!

I actually had to go and look at the listing photos of our condo to check what kind of doors we have - I actually never noticed them! Turns out we also have the six panel ones. I think that if budget is a concern you can paint and wait to tackle those later. Unless your home is ultra modern in style I’m fairly certain 99% of the people coming in and out won’t notice the existing ones. However if they REALLY bug you maybe get it over with now.

Honestly deal with your master design plan and budget first. Are you doing floors anywhere? Painting trim? There are very nice updated homes that paint the trim but leave the doors wood so that’s always an option - if it works in with your master plan.

"We just bought a house". Live with them for a while before going thru all the work of painting them. It's not a major item in the scheme of things you want to change.

I just looked at the doors at my 1998 built home and they are all 6 panel raised doors as well. But mine are white and I have white trim. Honestly, it's not something I thought of having to update (I thought doors were just doors). The only doors I really notice in homes are the front doors.

Were you already considering painting the trim white? If so, then have the doors painted too. I think it will be an updated enough look for now and when finances permit, replace them if you want to. You may find better ways to spend that $4,500.

Save the $4500. We opted to leave ours alone and found it’s a nice contrast to the white trim and lighter walls. I’d assume the doors will already be down off hinges for painting and flooring work, so after those are done see how the coloring looks. If you don’t like it then I’d get them painted.

If you’re okay with pricing, get the solid core doors. It’s an upgrade I quickly saw the benefit of in my 1993 home. Doors are one of those hidden upgrades, on the order of HVAC and windows, that increase the comfort of the home.

I love the doors you want to get--also my dream but given the price, not on the agenda right now. We have the same raised 6-panel doors, just paint them for now and wait until you can make them as you wish.

Nobody notices the doors right now because so many have the same kind. Once you switch them out down the road, everyone will say "I love your doors!"

Andrea Masontook the words out of my mouth. Save that project for down the road (next year's budget?) and remember that updating a new home is a marathon not a sprint....unless budget allows otherwise.

I’d paint them for now (assuming you’re doing that part yourself and it only costs you supplies) and save up for the solid core doors later. The six panel design isn’t my favorite either but it’s what I have mostly through my home, except mine are already solid core so we won’t be replacing them. (Plus my house is a huge 3 story with a LOT of doors and windows) Mine are all painted white (expect for some entry doors) and it’s really not too obtrusive even though we have gone more organic modern with our look and have shaker style cabinetry in our kitchen. We did update the door hardware when we bought the house though... from shiny fake brass to satin nickel... kind of wish I’d gone matte black but not gonna change it now, plus that was too expensive then, the satin nickel isn’t obtrusive either.

We also bought a house a couple years ago that have these doors.... but they are painted white. If yours were solid wood I would not paint but since they aren't, painting will update the look ... a little. I think you need to live in the home for awhile before committing to changes that cost a lot. My concern is that if you change to the shaker doors you like you would also have to change all the door trim and floor molding to a simpler look to match. The cost could snowball especially if you can't diy and have to pay someone to do everything. Even painting is a major cost if you aren't doing it yourself. Is it your forever home? It could be worth your time and money to change if you plan on staying here awhile. But if it is a long time home you also have time to make changes in stages you can prioritize. Our home IS our forever home. I'm not crazy about a lot of things but changing the doors are far down the list of things I want to change. First is kitchen appliances, changing flooring and hopefully someday changing our master closet/bath. I hate the layout but at this point don't know how to make it better. Because of that it is the only place in our house that hasn't been repainted. But my husband tackles a lot of our home projects. Time and money.

When we remodeled our 1973 home, replacing all the doors was 100% worth it. It made a huge difference in the entire feel and quality of the house. Baseboards are another update that makes a huge, but semi-hidden difference.

I think it is worth every penny.

Because you are installing hardwood floors, changing all the trim and painting walls, now is the time to change the doors, not later. So, either decide that painting the doors will be an OK solution for next 10 years or more, or change them out now.

If you’re a diyer...Painting them white takes time and patience. Use Zinsser BullsEye 123 or primer, very lightly sand and 2-3 coats of finish semi gloss.

Stylistically they're fine. They blend in. In the past 100 years they've probably been in style more often than out. If they are in good shape, paint them. Replace them when budget allows.

The doors are fine, but paint them white. Use your money for other projects. A paint job is all you need for these doors.

I agree with ci_lantro, do it now if you want solid core and a style change to match the floors and trim you are already doing. Does the $4500 quote include painting the new doors? I would get it all done now for a completely refreshed home plus it’s easier to do with less disruptions while the house is empty.

If you choose to paint, it’s a labor intensive and time consuming project. To do it right you’ll remove each door, sand, fix imperfections, sand, prime, sand, paint, sand, paint, flip, repeat, and rehang. And there’s dry time between coats. It’s a big job and doing it right makes a big difference in the results.

I replaced every door and closet door in a full house gut remodel my DH and I did. It made a huge difference. We went with shaker doors and simple trim.

I never would have considered 6-panel doors out of style. I do see why you love the shaker doors, though. If this is a design element that is important to you, you should make the switch. Having just replaced the doors on one level of my home (completing in stages for cost/budget), I agree you should replace doors in conjunction with (before) installing your floors - not after. I would worry about potential damage to your new floors when replacing your door frames.