'Renovation is also the eco-friendly option, especially as sapele is listed as an endangered wood. This job involves sanding down using a fine sandpaper or wire wool, re-staining if necessary, and then finishing with a coat of clear varnish. 'Alternatively, you could sand the doors and give them a coat of teak oil.

How do you lighten sapele doors?

Flanking a dark-colored sapele door with sidelights can help to brighten its effect. Sidelights are narrow, vertical windows adjacent to each side of a door. Adding translucent window film to sidelights helps to keep a doorway feeling bright and airy while adding visual interest.

Can you paint over sapele doors?

If you intend to paint sapele doors, under no circumstances use emulsion as a primer. You'll be able to scrape it off with your fingernails as it just won't grip. Emulsion is a water based paint used on walls, undercoat is (typically) an oil based paint used on woodwork.