CASE STUDY

Repainting and resealing Victorian cottage windows

The short answer

I repainted every exterior timber window on a Victorian brick cottage in Stone, preparing, undercoating and top coating each one in Johnstone's Aqua Satin. I also resealed all the windows to keep the weather out. The fascias and bargeboards were too far gone to paint, so I advised the customer to have them replaced.

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Location

Stone



Property

Victorian brick cottage



Service

Exterior window painting and resealing

Level of work

Full redecoration

Duration

4 days

Products

Johnstone's Aqua Satin

What did the customer need?

The customer needed every exterior window repainted and resealed to protect the timber and smarten up the house. The cottage has timber casement windows with traditional glazing bars, set into arched brick openings on every elevation. Windows like these are a big part of a period home's character, so the finish needed to be neat and even across the whole property. The customer also wanted an honest view of the rest of the exterior woodwork while I was on site.

What condition was it in?

The windows were flaking paint and had cracked old sealant, but the fascias and bargeboards were beyond saving. The ornate black bargeboards on the gables had deteriorated too far for paint to do any good. Painting over timber in that state only hides the problem for a short while. I told the customer this plainly, and they're being replaced by another trade.

What preparation was needed?

Every window needed thorough preparation so the new paint had a sound, clean surface to grip. This was a Full redecoration because each window received a complete undercoat and top coat system, not just a single freshening coat.

1

Cleaned down all frames, sills and glazing bars to remove dirt and algae.

2

Scraped off loose and flaking paint, then sanded to a smooth, keyed surface.

3

Filled any cracks or dents with exterior filler and sanded flush.

4

Applied undercoat to every window to build an even base.

5

Resealed all the windows, renewing the flexible sealant where the frames meet the brickwork. 

6

Applied the top coat of Johnstone's Aqua Satin.

Which paints and materials were used?

I used Johnstone's Aqua Satin for the top coat, over an undercoat on every window. Aqua Satin is a water-based trim paint for wood and metal. It dries quickly, has a low smell, and holds its white colour better than old-style oil gloss, which can yellow over time. The satin sheen is softer than high gloss, so it suits a period cottage without looking too shiny. For resealing I used a flexible sealant that moves with the timber and brick instead of cracking.

What was the result?

Every window now has a clean, bright and even finish that is protected against the weather. The white frames stand out crisply against the red brickwork and the black gable details. The fresh sealant gives each window a tidy edge where it meets the brick and helps keep damp out of the timber. With the fascias and bargeboards due for replacement, the customer now knows exactly where the house stands.

"

The difference Mick has made in our windows is incredible, thank you for bringing them back to their former glory!

Questions about this job

  • How long did the job take?

    The job took 4 days from start to finish.

  • Can you paint my windows if my fascias need replacing?

    Yes, the windows can usually be painted separately if the frames themselves are sound. I'll always tell you honestly if other woodwork, like fascias or bargeboards, is too far gone to paint. That way you can plan the replacement without wasting money painting over rot.

  • Why use a water-based satin paint instead of gloss on windows?

    Water-based satin dries faster, smells less and resists yellowing better than traditional oil-based gloss. The softer sheen also tends to suit older properties. It still gives good protection outdoors when it goes over proper preparation and an undercoat.

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