Can You Paint Window Frames

Painting windows takes a trivial patience and a steady mitt, but it's super rewarding when you see the finished result and certain to help bring all lovely window dressing ideas to life. Whether yous're painting timber window frames or more modern uPVC, this DIY can transform the await of your domicile, within and out, and it's much cheaper than investing in new windows altogether...

Judy Smith, Crown Paints Colour Consultant notes how. 'Painting window frames and surrounds is an easy and cheap way to update your home and introduce some much needed colour.'

Sure, information technology's not a job for the faint hearted but, our tried and tested technique volition testify you how to paint windows to get the very best stop, with ease. The fundamental is good training of course, plus, using quality materials and tools.

'The wonderful matter about this feature of the house is that it brings in the natural calorie-free, so you lot tin can go as calorie-free or as nighttime every bit you wish. I personally dearest the upshot a vivid shade of mustard yellow creates, as it reflects whatsoever natural light you have coming through and well-nigh glows in the sunshine. For the aforementioned reason, if you lot'd like to attain a bold window look, a gloss paint will be more constructive than a matt finish, as it reflects light more.' Says Smith.

What kind of paint practise you utilize on windows?

If you're painting timber window frames, you'll want to look for the all-time paints for wood and if you're painting uPVC windows, spray paints are the best method (more on this below). It's non just about what will give you a nice end and the best colour, simply it's also about what will aid protect your window frames and prolong their lifespan. 'When choosing products for your window painting project, make sure y'all choose pigment that is suitable for the kind of surface you're working with. For wooden window frames, opt for a multi-surface production that's suitable for wood, to ensure the paint sticks to the surface and allows information technology to breathe. Paint suitable for woods has too been specifically formulated to protect the surface and avoid peeling and cracking if exposed to the sun.'

How to paint windows

Follow experienced renovator Sian Astley's how-to video below to achieve a professional finish with timber window frames and apply our step-by-footstep further down to try it for yourself – whether your windows frames are wooden or uPVC.

You lot volition need:

A few minor paint brushes
Paint (water-based paints are ideal for timber and take a quicker drying time than solvent-based formulations)
Toothbrush
Sandpaper
Minor plastic pot, such as a used, but clean yogurt or soup pot
Scraper
Masking tape
Cloth and water
Screwdriver/drill

Find out more than about how to maintain timber windows on our dedicated folio.

1. Choose your color

The look you go for is of grade totally up to you lot. Smith says, 'The window surround and frame do not need to match other skirting and woodwork in the room. One stand-lone window feature will create a real focal point and tin can, in some cases, add a assuming contrast. It is of import to paint window recesses and frames using the aforementioned color, to create maximum impact and really make the shade you've called pop.

2. Clean the window frames

Before you begin painting windows, wipe the frames down with a clean, clammy textile to brand certain in that location's no dirt or debris on the wood or plastic. You may like to use a saccharide soap for a deeper clean, which volition also help the primer and pigment adhere better. Lay a dust sheet under the window if needed.

Run into how to clean windows like a pro.

3. Sand abroad any rough edges

This is a actually important pace when painting windows so don't become skipping it! Use a small piece of medium-form sandpaper to sand abroad any rough edges or grooves in the timber or uPVC window frame, which could show up through the pigment and create an imperfect result. Work on small sections at a time and apply your finger to feel where the rough parts of the frame material are.

4. Brush off any dust

In one case yous've smoothed the surface, utilize a clean, dry paint brush to brush away the dust, making sure to remove it all so none goes into the pigment. You can even use a toothbrush to get into corners or narrow areas.

bright yellow painted timber window frame from Crown

v. Remove handles

You lot don't want to get pigment on your window fittings, so it's best to remove them at this stage. Simply use a drill or screwdriver to remove the screws and gentle pull the handle out. Keep the handle and screws in a safe place until you lot're ready to reattach them.

bedroom window in 1700s new england farmhouse

half-dozen. Mask off the area

For perfect direct lines and to brand sure y'all don't get pigment on the window itself, employ masking tape to mask off each window pane, ensuring y'all stick the tape equally shut to the frame as possible.

seven. Apply a primer

This is a step that is worth the extra time and effort, every bit an undercoat will ensure the finish lasts. Ask your local DIY store if they can apply some dye to your undercoat if y'all've called a specific color equally the top glaze. For instance, if you lot're painting your timber window frames in dark grey, you could use an undercoat, which has had some grayness added to it. For white finishes, stick to a elementary white undercoat.

8. Paint the starting time glaze

At present you're ready to paint the window frames in your choice of color. Start in ane place and carefully work away from this and around the unabridged frame. Avoid starting in ane place and jumping to some other, which could result in 'dry lines' and create an uneven finish. Use a small-scale castor and a little amount of paint and paint thin layers, rather than a thick coverage. Leave the first coat to dry completely.

Bear in mind that timber windows are made up of pieces of wood that run in different directions. Unlike apartment matt emulsions, gloss and satin paints tend to more than readily prove up drips and brush marks and then piece of work from pinnacle to bottom and accept care around the corners of the window frame.

Paint in the direction of the wood grain, using light strokes and take care not to overload the brush with paint, spreading each glaze thinly. Utilize a small-scale half-inch brush (or a cutting-in brush) for awkward areas and and then switch to a slightly wider (around 2") brush for other areas.

Freshly painted window frames look great against dark walls

nine. Carefully finish the top coat

Apply the terminal coat of paint, ensuring that this is also a sparse layer. Brand certain that the whole window frame is as covered. Leave to dry out.

10. Reattach fittings

In one case dry, carefully remove the masking tape. And then, apply a screwdriver or drill to put the handles dorsum into place and admire the results of your perfectly painted window frame(due south).

Should you paint uPVC windows?

If you're thinking of painting your uPVC windows, the first affair you take to know is that information technology's best not to paint yours if they are newly installed. You lot'll need to wait at least 12 months after installation so that the final layer of plastic (usually added during the final manufacturing process) wears off, allowing the paint to have to information technology. It'southward worth noting also that some professionals recall painting uPVC windows will reduce their lifespan since sanding them downwards, may cause the pigment to scrap and crack overtime. Eventually, their efficiency may be reduced which could actually touch on some home insurance policies. To reduce any damaging furnishings on your frames, make sure y'all choose paint that is resistant to UV every bit mentioned and check your insurance besides!

Otherwise, this tin can be a vivid way to update modern windows made of this hard wearing material, which is an affordable alternative to woods. If you're good to go, you want to use a paint that volition adhere to plastic surfaces and that has added UV filters to terminate any bleaching, vesture and tear.

The all-time method to attain a professional person finish is to follow the method above equally with timber window frames, but to use a spray pigment instead to employ the color.

See more on painting outside of a house .

Give it a endeavor!