Separate the frame, opening lights and sills
A window enquiry is clearer when it identifies the fixed frame, opening casements, glazing bars and sill rather than simply counting windows. A small window with several opening sections can involve more detailed preparation than a larger plain frame. State whether you need internal faces, external faces or both.
Internal window boards may also be included by agreement, but they should not be confused with the exposed exterior sill. Condensation marks indoors and peeling paint outside can have different causes. Photographs of the complete window, lower corners and any damaged areas help distinguish straightforward decoration from work needing repair first.
Assess timber condition before covering it
The lower joints and sill ends deserve close inspection because moisture can collect there. Soft timber, open joints and recurring staining should not be hidden beneath filler and paint without understanding the defect. A lasting repair may require a separate carpentry assessment before the decorating work can be defined.
Where the wood is sound, preparation can include cleaning, removing unstable paint, smoothing edges and priming exposed timber. Full stripping is not automatically necessary or appropriate. Older paint may require assessment for hazardous materials before sanding or removal; the method should reflect the coating and setting rather than assume every frame is alike.
Putty, glass edges and water paths
Traditional single-glazed casements may have putty around the glass. Cracked, loose or missing putty needs attention before the surrounding decoration is completed. Replacement material must be compatible with the glazing arrangement, and its instructions determine when it can be painted. Applying paint immediately is not suitable for every glazing compound.
The coating detail at the glass line should follow the relevant glazing and paint guidance. Drainage openings and designed ventilation paths must remain clear. Thick paint over failing putty is not a repair, while sealing every visible gap indiscriminately can interfere with how the window manages water.
Opening edges, fittings and finish selection
Casements must still open, close and latch after decoration. Heavy paint build-up on meeting surfaces can make a previously usable window bind, so clearances and contact points matter. Handles, stays and hinges need suitable protection or careful removal where appropriate, rather than being coated along with the timber.
Exterior and interior faces may need different products, even where the colour is similar. The selected system should suit the timber, previous finish and exposure. If wider internal woodwork is being refreshed, woodwork painting provides the related service context without assuming that every surface takes the same coating.
Safe reach and the limits of uPVC enquiries
Outside faces are considered only where they can be reached safely within our working scope. We do not undertake scaffold or tower work. Restricted paths, conservatory roofs and awkward ground can affect access even to a relatively low window, so include these details when sending photographs.
uPVC is not treated as timber. Repainting suitability depends on the profile, existing finish and manufacturer guidance, and this page does not promise a uPVC coating service. For domestic timber enquiries, call 07735 852901 Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. Our painting and decorating hub explains the broader service.