Painting Timber Sash Windows

To keep your timber sash windows in top-notch conditions, you should paint them regularly - or get someone to do them for you - on a regular basis.

The steps involved in the process are:

1. Cleaning. Brush off the dust that collects on the glass and wood frames at frequent intervals. Loose dust is very easy to clean, but when it forms a solid layer it can really be troublesome. Preferably, use a wet cloth to clean the frame and glass on a regular basis. BE CAREFUL while cleaning or painting the outside surface, do not lean out too far, and do NOT let children participate in this part of the process.

2. Examining the existing coat of paint. Every time you clean your sash windows, you should inspect them for visible defects in the paint or woodwork. If your existing paint job is mostly intact the next time a repainting is due, you can safely apply a top coat of paint over it. But if it is already peeling or eroded noticeably and needs repair, sand off the remaining parts to expose the timber, and apply a coat of primer, letting it dry before you apply the top coat.

3. Choosing a brush. Sash windows contain a lot of thin wooden framework, and all windows have corners that can be quite hard to reach. Your local store should have a collection of sash trim brushes - thin, angled brushes that are specifically designed to make painting your windows easier.

4. Protecting the glass. Getting paint onto the glass is quite undesirable, except that the top coat of paint should extend to about 1 mm onto the glass. To protect the glass, apply masking tape that can be removed once you have finished the paint job. Alternatively, keep acetone thinner handy to remove paint stains.

5. Applying primer. Primer is a substance used to "prime" wood or walls before applying the top coat of paint. Apply a thin coat of this substance on the wood, and allow it to dry before applying the top coat. Once the primer has dried, sand it lightly to even out the surface.

6. Applying the top coat. The key to getting a neat paint job on your sash windows is to use just enough paint on the brush, and no more. This prevents unsightly thick and sticky paint deposits on the wooden frames, and gives you a smooth finish that also lasts longer.

Regularly check your sash windows - possibly every time you wash them - for deterioration in the paint or woodwork. If you see any defects, even microscopic, do not hesitate to redo the paint or contact your carpenter.

Every 4-5 years, paint the frames of your sash windows. This keeps the timber in excellent shape - provided you do not fall prey to the evils of over-painting.