Internal doors - shall we stain the oak veneer doors or paint them white?

[YK84]

3 different builders have advised us to just varnish them...are they trying to do whatever is quickest? Was set on white but now I’m not sure. Thanks

Can you show a pic? I'd probably stain them and show the wood veneer off.

You could stain them first to see if you like it; paint if you don’t. It would be a darned sight easier that way round... For what it’s worth, ours are stained; any damage doesn’t really show up in the way that chipped paint would.

Thanks both. Not a bad idea to stain first, but is it straight forward to paint over it or would we have to sand etc
Here they are
www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-York-Oak-3-Panel-Internal-Door---1981mm/p/9000229495

I'd definitely stain those the builders are right. Much classier.

I'd stain them.

I'd only stain them if you want them darker than the untreated wood they are now. If you like the colour they are I'd recommend the Osmo brand wood finishes, there's one that doesn't change the colour of the wood and easy peasy to apply.

Thanks villageshop

My dad is a fan of stain/ natural wood as he says will not notice so much if dole is knocked, paint would chip off, whereas stain will not show south, if at all. Think it's probably nicer to look at and also lower maintenance.

They're lovely. I would just oil them with danish oil or similar