Why woodwork needs its own approach
Woodwork is touched, kicked and cleaned far more than walls, so it needs a tougher paint and more thorough preparation. Skirting boards collect scuffs from shoes and hoovers, doors get handled constantly, and architraves and window frames pick up chips and finger marks.
A durable finish depends on what happens before the top coat: cleaning, sanding, filling and priming done properly, rather than a quick coat over glossy old paint.
Preparation that makes the finish last
Old paint is sanded to give a key, chips and dents are filled and sanded smooth, and gaps along the top of skirting are caulked for a clean line. Bare or repaired timber is spot primed so the top coats bond evenly. This stage takes most of the time, and it is what separates a finish that lasts from one that chips within months.
Where old gloss has yellowed or darkened, an extra coat may be needed for full coverage, and knotty timber is sealed first so resin does not bleed through the new paint.
Gloss, satin or eggshell
Gloss gives the hardest, most traditional finish and wipes clean easily. Satin is a little softer in sheen and shows fewer brush marks, and eggshell sits lower still for a more contemporary look. Water-based versions dry faster and stay whiter, while oil-based paints level out beautifully. We can talk through which suits your home.
Whichever finish you choose, the same sheen is carried across skirting, doors and frames in a room so the woodwork reads as one scheme rather than a patchwork of different paints.
- Skirting boards and architraves
- Internal doors and door frames
- Window frames, sills and window boards
- Banisters, spindles and handrails
- Built-in shelving, cupboards and fitted furniture
New joinery painted after fitting
Because the same business handles the carpentry, new skirting and architrave, doors and shelving can be filled, caulked and painted straight after fitting. There is no wait for a second trade and no bare timber left sitting around.
What affects the cost
Woodwork painting is priced on how much there is and what condition it is in. A room with sound, previously painted skirting and one door is quick work; a whole house of chipped gloss that needs heavy sanding and filling takes considerably longer. Dark colours being changed to white, and any repairs needed before painting, also add time.
Woodwork as part of a room repaint
Woodwork is often painted alongside the walls and ceilings, and our interior painting page covers whole-room work. To get a quote for woodwork alone or as part of a room, request a free quote or call 07735 852901.