Painting the windows can revive the look of your home. This is one of the smallest investments you can make to make your home look awesome again. It will improve the color scheme and building design. The painting will also protect the window casings from the elements. You will also be able to prevent the wood from rotting and causing irreparable damage.
If your windows are not in the best condition, it may be time for a painting job. Windows are places that collect dust and cobwebs. So, make sure to clean them properly before you do the painting.
Essential Preparation Before The Painting
Always paint the windows on a warm day when there is plenty of sunlight. Start by washing and cleaning the windows with soapy water. Leave them for a while to dry. Use putty to fill up any gaps between the frame and glass and allow the putty to dry. Use an exterior wood filler to fill up if any areas on the frame need filling. You must also remove any loose paint with a paint scraper. Next, remove window furniture like handles. This will make it easier for you to paint the whole window.
What Paint to Use for the Windows
The first coating on your timber windows should always be a primer or undercoat. Bare wood requires a primer for sealing the surface and for improving the adhesion. The undercoat will smooth any imperfection. It will block out the darker colors, which is good if you are applying a lighter color compared to the original.
Many homeowners like to use gloss paint for outside and inside finishes. There are other options too like matt and satin.
Window Painting Cost
The average cost for each linear foot will be between $1.50 and $3.75 and the average total cost for each window is likely to vary between $110 and $950. The window painting cost varies depending on various factors like its size, the type of window, frame material, condition of the frame, paint color, and paint quality.
What You Need For Window Painting
You need the correct equipment for painting the windows. This includes –
- Primer/undercoat paint
- Top paint coat paint (Matt, Gloss, or Satin)
- 1.5 or 2-inch cutting paint brush
- 2-inch paintbrush
- Paint kettle
- Brush cleaner
- Dust sheets
- Sandpaper
- Masking/Painters tape
- Wood filler
- Stepladder/ladder
Window Painting Steps
- Clean and Scrape your windows – Always start by cleaning and scraping the windows before painting because the paint will last longer. Secondly, the painting job will be neater when you scrape off the previous paint layer. You can use any window washing solution to clean off the old paint and the gunk from your glass. Apply your solution and scrape. But remember not to scrap on dry glass as you may end up scratching the window. You can also hire a professional window cleaning service. Here are some questions to ask when you hire a professional window cleaner.
- Remove the Sash – You should also remove the sash from your window frame because you will then be able to paint quickly and easily. Keep it on a workbench or sawhorse. You should be able to remove the sashes in most modern sliding, casement, and double-hung windows.
- Sand Carefully – Don’t use sandpaper because it can scratch the glass, especially where the glass meets the wooden parts of the sash. Protect your glass by using masking tape when you are sanding along your glass. Don’t use a power sander along the glass edge as there is a high chance that the glass may get scratched.
- Remove the hardware – You should also remove all the hardware, including the handles from your double-hung windows and the latches. Take out the casement window operating hardware from the sash as it will help you do the painting job neatly. Store the screws and everything else properly because you will need everything when you are reinstalling.
- Paint the windows early – Timing is very important. You should start the painting job as early in the morning unless it is raining. It’s best to paint on a dry day. Start painting early because you want to complete the job, reinstall the window sashes, and close them before nightfall. You cannot do this if you have fresh paint. You have to give it some time to dry.
- Use a 1-1/2-inch angled sash brush – A lot of the window areas where you will be painting are not very wide. A narrow painting brush will give you better control compared to a flat and wider brush. The angled bristles of your sash brush are designed to help you apply the paint neatly on the small spaces and tight corners.
- Don’t paint the tracks or weather stripping – The weather strips and window tracks may not work accurately if they are covered with paint. So, it’s best not to paint them. Use masking tape to cover them.
- Don’t mask the glass – It will take a lot of time to cover the window glass with masking tape. If some paint touches the glass, then just use a razor blade to scrape it off.
Painting a Window That Has a Bendable Pad
Many old double-hung windows have an upper sash that is shut. As a result, painting the lower rail is difficult. You can purchase a paint pad and bend the metal to an angle, which will let you do the painting. Spread some paint with a brush on the pad. Apply the paint carefully to the upper sash. It is a tedious process but is necessary to avoid paint drips when you open the lower sash.
Window painting is not a difficult job. It can easily be a DIY project. All you need is the right equipment and knowledge of the right process. Follow these steps and take the necessary precautions and you should be able to do it. Remember, it is essential to pick the right day for your painting job. It should always be a warm and dry day when you have plenty of sunshine. You must give it enough time to dry.
