Stylish look and durability for years makes us choose wood windows more often. Owners of wood windows are bound by a golden rule - regular impregnation and maintenance. This is the only way to ensure that they will fulfil their role for at least several decades: both aesthetic and functional. How to properly paint wood windows in order to properly protect them against weather conditions and the passage of time? We are checking it out!
Painting wood windows
Painting wood windows is a must, because taking care of a wood window is a guarantee of its longer life, and also an opportunity, because we can change its appearance by choosing different paint colours.
Wood resists weathering differently. Some deform faster (e.g. pine wood), others are not so prone (oak). However, they all have one thing in common - without proper maintenance, they cannot withstand contact with water. Let's make sure that atmospheric factors do not contribute to wood deterioration.
Painting wood windows is the simplest way of conservation which we can do ourselves, without the help of a professional. Remember that this type of work should be carried out in suitable environmental conditions to ensure optimal drying of the painted coatings. It is best if the air temperature is between 10 and 30 degrees Celsius and the humidity is not higher than 80%.
Preparation for the painting of wood windows is also important. Remember to carefully protect the area around the window from dirt. Move away all furniture, objects and plants which are in close proximity to avoid damage. It is best to cover the window sill with foil or cardboard, and fix it with painter's tape for the time of work. Tape is also useful to cover the edges of glass and the contact between the window frames and the wall.
Painting wood windows - step by step
Painting wood windows is an operation that can be carried out in 3 simple steps.
Step 1: Using a mild cleaning agent, wipe down the wood on the window. Then, remove the layer of old paint or varnish using sandpaper (start with a coarse-grained sandpaper and gradually reduce the grammage of the paper). Sweep or vacuum the accumulated dust.
Step 2: Possible scratches and losses are filled with wood filler - in several layers, if necessary. Smooth the surface again with sandpaper, dust it off, wash and leave to dry.
Step 3: Apply protective coatings to the clean and smooth surface: first the primer, then the stain or paint. Apply at least 2 coats of paint - when the first coat is dry, apply another coat. Long brush strokes will help to achieve an even paint coverage. The drying time is between 2 and 12 hours depending on the type of paint.
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Best paint for exterior wood windows UK
What will be the best paint for exterior wood windows in the UK? Paint for wood windows is able to completely cover the grain of the wood, so if you plan to radically change the look of your home - both inside and out - this kind of product will be a good solution. In the offer you can find very typical colours, similar to natural shades of wood, and non-standard ones, for example red or blue, with the help of which you can definitely change your house.
Semi-transparent stains or varnish are alternatives for those who want to stick to naturalness and emphasise the grain. At the same time, these products have the same impregnating and wood preserving properties as paint. Regardless of what you choose, it's worth paying attention to fast-drying and low-odour preparations - not only will they speed up the process of painting wood windows, but they won't bother you with a too-intense smell.
The process of sanding a timber window
Contrary to appearances, the colour of a wood window does matter because the raw material takes on different colours depending on what wood it comes from. Wood windows are most often made of pine, larch, meranti or oak wood.
Pine wood has a delicate grain and is characterised by a light, white and yellow colour in various shades. Larch wood is somewhat similar to pine but differs in colour - it can be recognised by its yellow-red tone. Meranti wood, on the other hand, can be either reddish-brown or grey-pink, and oak wood can be golden with a rich grain pattern.
How to paint wood windows interior?
You can change the colour of a wood window from the outside as well as from the inside. If you do not plan to change the colour of your wooden windows very often, you should think carefully about the colour. After all, such windows will serve us for at least several decades. They should match not only the facade, but also the interior design. "Matching" does not mean, however, that all wood elements outside and inside the house have to be perfectly matched to each other. They can be contrasted with each other just as well. We also don't have to paint the inside and outside of the window with the same colour. We can use two completely different shades of paint.
The interior of wood windows is not as exposed to weather conditions such as UV rays or precipitation. Nevertheless, painting the inside of wood windows should be done as often as painting the outside of the window in order to maintain the nice and consistent look of the whole window joinery.
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Are you interested in buying wood windows? Do you want to order them but don't know which type of wood to choose? Write to our advisor who will help you make a decision.
