What we cover outside
Our exterior painting work is focused on timber and similar joinery around the outside of your home: front and back doors, window frames, fascias, bargeboards and garden gates, provided they can be reached safely from ground level or a standard ladder.
We do not carry out render or masonry painting, and we do not take on jobs that need scaffolding or tower access. If your house has render that needs painting at height, we are happy to say so upfront rather than take on work outside what we can do safely.
Best time of year to paint outside
Exterior paint needs dry, mild weather to cure properly, so we generally plan outside jobs for spring through to early autumn. Painting in damp or very cold conditions can trap moisture under the paint and lead to problems later, so if the weather is against us we would rather wait a day or two than rush a finish that will not last.
Preparation makes the difference
As with interior work, most of the quality of an exterior paint job comes down to preparation. We scrape back any flaking or peeling paint, fill cracks and open joints, and sand surfaces smooth before painting. Bare or exposed timber is primed properly so moisture cannot get underneath the new paint.
Skipping this stage is the main reason exterior paint fails early, so we would rather spend the extra time preparing than apply paint over a surface that is not ready.
- Scraping back flaking or peeling paint
- Filling cracks and open joints
- Sanding smooth before painting
- Priming bare or exposed timber
Choosing the right exterior paint
Exterior timber needs paint that can cope with sun, rain and temperature changes without cracking or fading too quickly. We use good quality exterior-grade paints suited to the surface and talk through finish options, such as satin or gloss, depending on what suits your door and windows.
Microporous paints, which let trapped moisture escape through the paint film while still keeping rain out, are often a sensible choice for exterior timber, particularly on older doors and frames where damp can otherwise build up inside the wood over time.
Front door colour and hardware
A freshly painted front door makes a real difference to how a house looks from the street, and it is one of the quickest ways to refresh a home's appearance. We are happy to share what colours tend to work well, and we can remove and refit door furniture such as handles, letterboxes and knockers so the finish looks neat around them.
How long an exterior job takes
Timing depends on the condition of the existing paintwork. A door or set of window frames in reasonable condition might only need a day, while timber with a lot of flaking paint or rot to address will take longer because of the extra preparation involved. Call Micky on 07735 852901 and we can give you a realistic estimate once we have seen the woodwork.
Garden gates and small fence repairs
Garden gates and short runs of fencing often weather in the same way as a front door, and we can repaint or touch these up alongside other exterior woodwork while we are already on site. Small repairs, such as replacing a split picket or re-fixing a loose gate hinge, can sometimes be carried out through our carpentry service first, so the timber is sound before any paint goes on.
Repairs before painting
Occasionally window boards or sills have started to soften or rot before they are painted. We can arrange for these to be repaired or replaced through our carpentry service, so the timber underneath is sound before any paint goes on. If you are not sure whether your woodwork needs a repair or just a repaint, we are happy to take a look.
If flaking paint has spread to walls or ceilings indoors too, our guide to peeling paint explains some of the common causes.