D.I.Y. Saturday #22 – How to Paint the Window Frames of your Home

Entry #302, October 16, 2010

Your window frames of your house are one entity that is forgotten when you prepare the exterior of your home. From moisture, elements, bugs, and time can all take their daily toll on window frames. In order to keep them looking good you should paint them on a regular basis.  Today on DIY Stagetecture, I’ll show you how to paint the window frames of your home.

Protect your home from outside factors

Depending on your type of window, will help you decide how to paint your window frame. Home Tips.com lends the following information.

Type of Window:

Double-hung windows

If the sashes are removable, lift them out and lay them on a table to paint them. Be prepared to leave the sashes out long enough to dry thoroughly (at least 24 hours). If they are not removable, raise and lower them as needed to reach all the window parts.

Paint the outer, or upper, sash first. If the window has small glass panes, begin with the horizontal muntins and then work on the vertical ones. Next, paint the exposed parts of the stiles, the top rail, and the bottom rail, in that order. Then paint the parts of the inner, or lower, sash, starting with the muntins and finishing with the rails.

When painting the trim, begin with the head casing and then paint down the sides. Next, paint the stool, and then finish by painting the apron.

Window frames can last for years with proper maintenance

Casement windows

First paint any vertical muntins and then any horizontal ones. Next, paint the top rails, the bottom rails, and the stiles, in that order. Finish the job by painting the casing.

No matter what type of window you have, do not paint the jamb. This may cause the window to stick. After you paint the window, if the jamb is made of wood, wax it with floor wax. This is unnecessary for a metal jamb.

Use a tapered sash brush, lightly loaded, on the frames. Let the paint lap slightly onto the glass. This will seal the finish to the glass so condensation will not get under the paint and cause it to peel. Then wipe off the excess paint with a rag wrapped around a putty-knife blade.

Paint window frames before they get old

Steps:

Information supplied from Home Depot

1.) To paint double-hung windows, you’ll want to remove them from their frames. Newer, spring-mounted windows are released by pushing against the frame. If you have an older window, consider painting it in place.

2.) Drill holes and insert two nails into the legs of a wooden stepladder, and mount the window easel-style for easy painting. Or, lay the window flat on a bench or sawhorses. Don’t paint the sides or the bottom of the sashes.

3.) Using a tapered sash brush, begin by painting the wood next to the glass. Use the narrow edge of brush, and overlap paint onto the glass to create a weather tight seal.

4.) Clean any excess paint off the glass with a putty knife wrapped in a clean cloth. Rewrap the knife often so that you always wipe with a clean piece of fabric. Overlap the paint onto the glass about 1/16 of an inch to create a good seal.

5.) Paint the flat portions of the sashes, then the case moldings, the sill and the apron. Use slow, careful brush strokes. If you’re painting with the sash in place, you’ll want to avoid getting paint between the sash and frame. For casement windows, open them up completely before painting.

6.) If you must paint your windows in place, move the painted windows up and down several times during the drying period to keep them from sticking. You can use a putty knife to avoid touching the painted surfaces.

You Tube Video:

How to Paint a Window Frame

Watch Stagetecture’s You Tube Channel for more DIY ideas