Wooden Window - Window Care

Preparation

It is important to properly prepare your new window sash(es) or door(s) prior to any priming or painting. Take care to review the following guidelines before picking up a brush.

Inspection - Please inspect each sash and test operability of the window prior to prep, priming and painting, including inspecting for scratched lites. If any operability issues or scratched lites are discovered on any window from Wooden Window, Please notify us prior to proceeding with the remainder of these instructions.
Hardware - All weather-stripping and hardware should be carefully removed so the finish may completely seal the wood.

Please Note: Be careful when using tools around your windows or doors. Glass scratches easily. We strongly advise against the use of sharp tools anywhere near the lite of a sash or door.
Cleaning - The window or door should be clean and free of lint and dust, and the glass should be cleaned with a quality glass cleaner.
Filling HolesE/B> - Prior to the first coat of primer, clear-coat or stain-bearing finish, all nail holes and naturally occurring openings in the grain of the wood should be filled with wood putty and sanded smooth with 220 grit or finer sandpaper.
Glazing Putty - Allow 2 to 4 weeks for glazing compound to set; do not touch the putty until it has skinned over*. During curing, DO NOT clean the windows, apply primer or paint to the putty or expose the putty to extremes of heat, dryness or moisture.

* “Skinned OverE/B> is when the surface of the putty is no longer tacky to the touch. Putty skins over faster in warmer weather.

General Painting Information

It is absolutely necessary for all wooden windows to be painted. Untreated wood can be quickly damaged when exposed to rain, heat, humidity, etc. The results of exposure can be expansion (causing stuck windows), leaking, increased susceptibility to wood rot, etc.

Color - Very dark colors, particularly dark green and black, cause excessive heating and cooling cycles which structurally compromise the window or door. Finish painting windows or doors in colors darker than an 18% reflective value (middle gray).

Coverage EIn general, all exposed wood surfaces should be painted in some fashion except for the surfaces subject to friction. Therefore, the surfaces to be painted differ based on the type of window. Take care to always paint both the top and bottom. (See painting section for more notes on coverage.)

Casement Windows EThough casement windows often do open, no surfaces are generally subject to excessive friction so all six sides of a casement sash should be painted.

Double Hung Windows EPaint both the front and back, as well as the top and bottom of double hung sashes but do not paint the sides nor the jamb tracks in which they slide (a potential friction contact area). Also, take care to not get any paint on the ropes.

Doors EDoors, like casement sashes, should be painted on all six sides.

Hardware –Paint or primer should NOT be applied to the moving parts of the window (hinges, latches, springs) or weather-stripping.

Paint Types

Primer - Primer must be applied to any windows/doors that will be painted. A quality primer will help seal the wood as well as providing a proper surface for the application of finish paint. Primer alone is NOT a suitable barrier against exterior exposure but is a necessary component in preventing the encroachment of moisture. Wooden Window typically applies one coat of professional grade, water based primer in our shop. An additional coat of primer (Zinsser or other quality brand) can be applied before painting. When priming new putty (that has cured for 1 to 3 weeks) use an oil-based primer for best adhesion.

Finish Paint - All primed surfaces must be covered with a finish paint (Benjamin Moore, or other quality brand). Interior surface may be painted with either water or oil-based paints. Water-based paints are easiest to work with but you should consider oil-based paints for higher moisture environments like bathrooms with showers. Exterior surfaces may be painted with oil or water-based paints, but ensure they are specifically designed for exterior use.

Stains - Wooden Windows stain-grade windows and doors are constructed with selected pieces of wood with attractive grains and less surface irregularities specifically for the application of a quality stain. Finished surfaces will be sanded to 220 grit sandpaper at the factory. No primer is used when the surface will be stained or clear-coated. Wooden Window, Inc. recommends a tung-oil based clear sealant or stain-bearing product. Only interior surfaces should be stained, exterior surfaces must be painted.

Painting Specifics

Primer

Both interior and exterior surfaces MUST be primed and finished unless the interior will be stained. If a second coat of primer is applied (one coat is typically applied in our shop), allow the primer to dry completely before the next application. Light sanding with 220 or finer grit sandpaper is required between coats. On all exterior surfaces the primer should just touch the surface of the glass (gkiss the glassh), NOT overlap. New putty should be primed with an oil-based primer.

Finish Paint

A minimum of 2 (two) coats of paint on the exterior and 1 (one) coat on interior are required, allowing each coat to cure before application of the next. Finish coats should be lightly sanded between applications with 220, or finer, grit sandpaper. Paint on the exterior should kiss the glass by 1/16th of an inch, the width of a pencil lead. The best application method is with a quality standard or foam brush. We recommend against using masking tape on the lites as the moisture barrier created by kissing the glass with the paint may be broken when the tape is removed. DO NOT force drying or curing of paint with application of excessive heat.

Staining

Stains are applied to the bare wood after filling any nail holes or minor surface irregularities. Exterior EWe do not recommend clear-coat or stain on exterior surfaces. Interior - two coats are recommended on interior surfaces with sanding between coats using 220 grit, or finer, sandpaper.

Maintenance

Proper finishing and ongoing maintenance of the finish of a wooden window or door are the most important steps you can take to protect your investment. Direct sunlight or exposure to moisture will deteriorate the finish over time. Quickly address any problems you may discover, otherwise damage to the wood may result. Some specific actions to take are:

Inspect the integrity of the finish of each window and door at least every other year, particularly for south or west exposure windows.

Windows or doors without sufficient overhang protection from the elements require inspection once a year.

Confirm that paint coverage is free of cracks, bare spots or other damage.

Confirm that all putty is intact and painted correctly.

To help keep double hung windows moving smoothly, rub the window tracks with paraffin wax every few years.

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