Have you thought about a marine-grade varnish? My front door is east facing, and the wood was really getting trashed by the elements, so I found a marine-grade oil-based varnish. I paired it with a stain in, um, I want to say Jacobean? (dark dark brown, almost chocolate). Sanded down the door, stained it with the Jacobean, then did three coats of the marine varnish, sanding between each coat (and using a respirator). So far it’s standing up well to the Atlanta weather.
Thanks! It was originally coated with outdoor/marine grade varnish… 17 years of exposure to the elements - even on the covered porch - did it in. 
Paint on the siding and trim still looks brand new despite taking a much harder beating.
But that’s exactly what the B-M sales person recommended.
17 years is a long time! In my area, you’re lucky if you can get 10 years out of exterior paint even with the high quality stuff.
Hardiplank siding plus top of the line B-M paint that was available 17 years ago, doschicos. I do not plan on repainting the house for a few more years (the plan is actually to get Mr. to agree to move before then).
I’m weighing in late, but I’ll vote for red. A deep, rich red. This year, I had a bench made by this company - it’s mahogany painted with marine grade paint in “claret.” The color is gorgeous and would be a lovely front door color. Our bench is a wonderful accent piece.
How about considering Feng Shui? Does your front door face north or south? North = dark blue or black, South = red.
The front door on our cape faces north. The door is a dark navy blue. So far, the energy has been good at my place.
Thank you for the ideas!
Gorgeous color, Gourmetmom, and gorgeous bench, too. Not too late - the door has been primed, but I am still thinking about the color.
baseballmom, thank you for the Feng Shui reminder. It makes a great argument in favor of red. We sold our first home to a guy who was desperate to find a Feng Shui - compliant house, so it can be a big selling point. Even though paint is cheap, I would rather not repaint the door when we put the house on the market in a few years.
It occurs to me that you can cover all the bases by red+blue=purple >:)
It is paint. Easy to change your mind. Painting a door takes little time and can be therapeutic.
I see a red door and I want it painted black…just saying.
I’ve been wondering if “we” or “I” means DIY or a hired pro.
@BunsenBurner, what color did you go with?
Was just about to post!
Benjamin Moore - Aura Grand Entrance in Impressionist Ruby.
Got a quart of the same paint type in Wild Blueberry for the back deck door, but that will have to wait until the next spring.
Looks good. I am thinking our next house purchase will be a new door. We have double front doors now. I can’t decide if we should get double doors again, or do a door plus windows on either side. We will likely go with red paint, but ours will be more of “orange” red because of the color of our brick.
Double doors are nice to have for those occasions when you have to move a large appliance or a piece of furniture in or out.
That color is beautiful BB - if I was house shopping that door would grab me!!!
Nice way to have both colors, BunsenBurner, #71! Our front door is somewhere between Spruce and Forest Green, depending on the lighting, and I am very fond of it; but I saw that you had ruled out green from the beginning–and that makes sense with the color of the house.