Revamping the appearance of your home often begins with its exterior features. Painting doors and exterior windows can not only add a pop of colour and charm but also offer a protective barrier against the elements. When you want to tackle any home improvement project, the prep work is as important as the paint job itself. If you were to jump right into the painting, you’d likely be disappointed by the result.
A poorly prepped surface might leave your paint looking uneven, and the lifespan of the paint job will significantly decrease. An adequately prepped exterior paint job will improve your curb appeal and the value of your home and make you excited to come home each day. This blog post will guide you through the process of preparing and painting your exterior windows and doors to achieve professional-grade results.
Prepping your Exterior Windows and Doors
Any exterior paint job that you tackle can be a huge undertaking, especially if it’s your first time. Planning and prepping are some of the most important aspects of any exterior painting project. First things first, you’ll want to take a visual inventory of your windows and doors. If there is anything that needs to be repaired, you should do so first.
You may also need to break down the job into sections, especially if you’re doing this on your weekends off and need multiple coats of paint or need to work around the weather. Make a plan for how you want to proceed. Once your plan is ready, you will want to start preparing. If you have dogs or outdoor cats, make sure you plan around their needs for bathroom breaks and outside time. Especially during the repair and sanding phases, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your pets because it’s not uncommon for them to find debris to chew on or swallow. Removing furniture or potted plants from around the areas where you’ll be working helps to prevent them from getting damaged. You may consider using drop cloths if you’re working directly over shrubs, plants, or a garden. As painting exterior windows will likely involve you working on multiple stories of your home, you’ll want to ensure you have a good-quality ladder that’s tall enough. Setting up a ladder can be challenging if the ground is unstable, so be careful.
Home Painter’s Toronto Pro Tip:
If this is a property that you’ve recently bought that is an older home (built before 1979) or hasn’t been painted in a while, it might be worth considering getting it tested for lead paint.
Use painter’s tape to cover any exterior features you don’t want to paint over. Anything like electrical outlets, door hardware, or hose bits directly under windows can be taped up. Pay close attention to the forecast before painting. You always want to avoid rain, significant drops or increases in temperature to ensure the best quality paint job. The weather can prevent your paint from curing correctly, and you’ll be stuck having to redo the job sooner rather than later. The bulk of your prep work will be sanding, scraping and repairing damage. If your windows and doors are unpainted, you’re lucky enough to do a quick sanding and move on to painting. However, for any already painted surface that is cracking and peeling, you’ll need to sand and scrape all the damaged paint off.
It can be a tedious and lengthy process, but it’s the most critical step in having a great-looking finished product. Ensure you’re wearing protective masks and eyewear during the sanding process. While sanding, you should be able to see any repairs you may need to make. You can patch minimal damage with putty and sanding. If you need to replace any pieces of wood, now is the time to do it. Be prepared for any spills by having clean-up materials close by. If you’re using latex paint, a damp rag will be enough, but if you’re using oil-based or enamel-based paint, you’ll need a thinner recommended by the manufacturer.
How to Paint Exterior Windows and Doors
Once you’ve decided on your paint colour, you’re ready to start.
- Now that your repairs have been completed, your windows have been prepped, and the putty has dried according to manufacturers’ instructions. You’re ready to start painting.
- Prime the bare wood that you wish to paint.
- If you get primer or paint on the window, just allow it to dry, and you can scrape it off with a razor blade.
- Take your time, as windows have many small pieces that require attention to detail. Once your primer has dried, start with the muntins, which are the pieces in the window grid.
- Once those are painted, you can paint the rest of the pieces that are left. Be cautious when painting the stops and jambs, as any extra paint buildup can cause it to make the window difficult to open and close.
- Once you’ve painted all the surfaces, allow it to dry and add another coat if needed.
- You’ll want to do the same for exterior doors, add a coat of paint, allow it to dry, and then do a second coat if needed. Replace all the hardware, and your door will look fantastic.
Identifying When to Call a Professional
Painting exterior windows and doors is a great way to improve the appearance of your home. However, it’s not always easy to know when you should call in a professional. As handy as you may be, there are circumstances when the expertise of a professional is necessary. Here are some scenarios in which you might want to consider hiring a professional to paint your exterior windows and doors:
1. Extensive Surface Damage
If your doors and windows show signs of significant wear and tear, such as rot, rust, or peeling paint, it might be more than a simple painting job. Professionals can properly assess the condition of the materials and may advise repair or replacement before painting.
2. Lead-Based Paint
If your home was built prior to the 1970s, it’s possible that it was painted using lead-based paint. Disturbing lead-based paint during a DIY project can release harmful particles. A professional is equipped to handle this situation safely and legally.
3. Accessibility and Complex Architecture
If your windows or doors are hard to reach or involve complex architectural features, painting them might require special equipment and expertise. Professionals are trained and equipped to handle such complex tasks while adhering to safety standards.
4. Time and Quality considerations
Professional painters have extensive experience and can typically complete a painting job quicker and to a higher standard than a DIY enthusiast with limited experience. If you are short on time or you want a guaranteed professional finish, then hiring a professional might be the best option.
Hiring a professional can seem like a significant upfront cost, but remember that their expertise can save you time, ensure your project is completed safely, and deliver a high-quality finished job worth the investment.
How to Paint Exterior Windows and Doors
Once you’ve decided on your paint colour, you’re ready to start.
- Now that your repairs have been completed, your windows have been prepped, and the putty has dried according to manufacturers’ instructions. You’re ready to start painting.
- Prime the bare wood that you wish to paint.
- If you get primer or paint on the window, just allow it to dry, and you can scrape it off with a razor blade.
- Take your time, as windows have many small pieces that require attention to detail. Once your primer has dried, start with the muntins, which are the pieces in the window grid.
- Once those are painted, you can paint the rest of the pieces that are left. Be cautious when painting the stops and jambs, as any extra paint buildup can cause it to make the window difficult to open and close.
- Once you’ve painted all the surfaces, allow it to dry and add another coat if needed.
- You’ll want to do the same for exterior doors, add a coat of paint, allow it to dry, and then do a second coat if needed. Replace all the hardware, and your door will look fantastic.
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If you’re thinking of doing some home exterior window and door painting but don’t want to do the work yourself, let our exterior painters help! Our professional house painters can help you with any problems or questions and do a fantastic job you’ll love. We can even provide complimentary colour consultations if you aren’t sure what colour you want. Painting the exterior of your home can take a lot of time and effort, especially if you are inexperienced.
Let the pros take care of it for you! Call us at 416.494.9095 or send an email to Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com to get your FREE estimate! And don’t forget to follow us on all our social channels below!
