Fixing, Producing, Repairing And A DIY Guide To Painting And Decorating Sash Windows
Thursday, March 4th, 2010Sash windows can be fun to repair, so here is a DIY Guide to painting and decorating sash windows. After removing the lock, and old putty with a putty knife, or even a butter knife, along with any other sealants that may have been put on over the years, sand the wood of the windows. It does not need to be perfect, but sand it as smoothly as you would like to see the paint over it. Then take a damp cloth and wipe the loose sand off, making sure it is clean to paint.
You can protect the window glass from painting it or splashing it by using masking tape or a painters tape. Just tape around the edges of the glass where it meets the wood. But if you do paint the glass, no worries, it will wipe off wet or you can use a straight edge razor to remove it if it dries.
You may want to use a primer first, as it will seal the wood and your paint will be easier to apply and it will last longer. Start painting somewhere in the middle of the window and work your way out towards the ends and corners.
The raised bottom sash, on the center mullion is where you might want to start. Then you can paint outwards from the center. Next paint the sides of the window, on the vertical mullions. Go to the tops next, to the horizontal ones. Some of the top of the vertical mullion may be hidden, so if you cannot paint it all, just leave it, and paint only the exposed part. You may find an easier method of where to start. It really depends on the preference of the painter.
When the paint is dried, and your window looks great, it is time to decorate it. Be imaginative. You can buy window treatments and draperies, or you can make them customized to your window. Either way, you will need to measure the dimensions of the window to make sure you have enough material for the homemade draperies, or you will need the measurements for the store-bought ones. A more modern look will show mini blinds or wooden blinds only. Sometimes curtains are not used at all. Or you can use a combination of light-weight curtains for a breezier look. Or a combination of blinds and curtains.
Whatever you decide, a DIY Guide to painting and decorating sash windows will be used again in the future for your other windows.
To get the latest on sash window repairs in London, you should visit them or look on the web. The sash window renovation London should be a help for those in the London area.