Window trims are an integral part of the house. Yes, they are small and often appear irrelevant, but they have such a massive role in how the whole window will look. For the creatives, they use the trims to showcase their mastery of art and creative sense. When improving your house, you always look for areas that need upgrades without taking too much of your budget.
Though painting a window trim may be the cheaper option than replacing them, you will still incur a substantial amount of money to have it replaced.
Things to watch out for when repainting window trims
Several unforeseen factors can have a significant impact on your overall costs as you repaint the windows. Check them out below;
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Relocation or repairs
When repainting your windows, there is a possibility that the trims need repairs and or relocation. Ben from Home Garden Guides says this is often ignored when factoring in the cost of repainting can lead to a jump in painting costs.
Testing costs
A lot of work goes into testing if there is the presence of hazardous materials such as lead and asbestos. This will increase the invoice you’ll get from the renovation company.
Overhead costs
When repainting your window trims, there is a possibility of the cost quoted going higher or lower. To be safe, it’s better to have an extra 10%-15% more than what’s mentioned.
Permit fees
Depending on your current location, there can be a requirement to get a permit before starting any innovation works on your window trims. The licenses can increase your overall painting costs to levels you had not pictured.
What affects the costs to repaint windows?
You can have two homeowners get a different bill for a similar repainting job. The main reason is that repainting your window trims is affected by various factors. Here are some of them;
Size of the window trims
The bigger the size of the windows, the more trims they will have and the more it is likely to cost. But that’s not always the case, as the trims may differ depending on their designs and thickness.
Type of paint
Not all paints are the same. Some are thicker and of better quality than others. The type of paint you’ll have a significant impact on your budget.
Professionals vs DIY
If you choose to have professional painters, handling your painting will charge you a substantial amount. The alternative is to do it yourself, which will save you considerable time, but you might not do an excellent job as a professional.
Taxes and permits
In some states, some products such as paint and materials are subjected to sales tax, which drives up the costs. Others have to apply for a permit before they can start any works on the window trims. All this can have such a significant difference on your overall painting bill.
Type of windows
Not all windows are the same. Some are designers, while some are as simple as they get. Painting the two is very different and will cost you very different amounts. Understanding this is paramount in having your windows trim painted. In case it’s a two or three-story building, the costs will increase as the stories increase.
Type of trims
Technically, there are two types of trims; interiors and exteriors. The interiors tend to be more costly than exteriors. The main argument here is, interiors require more preparation than exteriors and are thinner, which means they take more time to paint. With the exteriors, you need only to be careful to add preservatives and protectants.
Costs of having windows trims painted
Having considered all the factors that affect the windows trim painting, here are some of the estimates you can expect when getting a quote;
Interior trims
The cost to paint an interior trim can go as high as $3700 for a standard house. Since painting a window trim is charged in lineage, the trims will cost you between $1 to $6 per sq. ft. again, depending on where you come from and the type of painters you go for, the cost can go higher than this.
Exterior trims
Much like the interiors, the exterior window trims are charged per square foot. The average cost per linear foot can be as low as $1 to a high of $6. For a standard house, the price can go to $1680, including labour and buying materials. When you have unique trims, the cost can start at $2.50 per linear foot. Be prepared to increase the price per linear footage for story building.
Keep in mind that exterior paints need extra protection as they are left bare. The paints need to have protectants and preservatives to withstand termites, mold, moisture and termites.
Now that you have the numbers, how do you paint an interior window trim?
Painting the window trim isn’t the most challenging task, especially since the materials are cheap and easy to find. For this job, you will need:
- Good-quality painter’s tape of 1 ½ inch
- Paints for your window trims
- Trimming paintbrush of 1 ½-2inches
- A good sandpaper or wood filler
Here are the steps to take for painting the interior window trim
Clean the window trim
You don’t just go ahead and paint the window trim, but begin with making sure that the frame is ready to get new paint. Clean all signs of stains with a solution made of warm water and non-soapy detergent. Use an abrasive sponge to scrub the entire surface of the window trim.
You also have to sand the surface (top to bottom) to obtain the smoothest surface. You don’t necessarily need a high-grade sander and check out the surface with your fingers. It’s crucial that the paint adheres perfectly to the trim. For that, it has to be smooth and without scratches. Use fine-grain sandpaper to obtain a smooth surface. Sandpaper of 120-180grits is perfect for sanding.
Protect the areas that don’t require painting
You can use masking tape or the cutting-in method to mask the areas that don’t need painting. Most people choose the masking tape method to cover the spots. Begin with taping from the space between the trim and the window trim. Measure how much tape you need and tear the tape accordingly. Use scissors to cut the end of the tape at 45degrees and use it on the window frame.
You have to do the same taping for the right side of the window frame. Avoid ripping off the tape and applying it to the window frame since you can cause gaps. Simply use tape to cover every hole.
Cover the walls around the window trim
You need to protect the walls around the window trim—you definitely don’t want any paint stains on the walls. Apply tape so that you have two inches gaps on both sides of the tape. Take a step back and imagine how the area will look after you’re done with painting.
Fill any homes and prime the trim
One crucial rule when painting the window trim is to check out the wooden frame for holes. Apply the filler and wait for it to dry. When it’s dry, sand the wood to have a smooth finish on the surface. You can also prime the wood and then let it dry. However, if the wood isn’t white, you will need to apply primer once more.
The painting job
Now that you’re down with the window treatments, you should paint the window trim. You can decide painting the window trim in white, black, or any other color that suits your property. Begin with painting the interior and move to painting the outer part of the trim.
If done right, you should have enough masking tape so you can freely brush the paint over the window trim while painting. Avoid going beyond the tape markings and dripping paint on the tapings. If so, the tape will get stuck as you’re using too much paint. Pulling the excess paint off will be tricky when dry.
Remove the tape from the trim
After the paint has dried entirely, you should gently pull off the tape around the window trim. Don’t pull it off when the paint isn’t completely dry. If you feel that the tape doesn’t come off quickly, you can wet it a bit with one or two layers of paint.
When you pull off the tape, see if the lines are cleanly cut. If not, you will need to use a sharp utility knife to trim the area for the perfect line.
You need to paint the exterior of the window trim. How should you do it?
As you want the window trim to look nice both inside and outside, you also have to paint the window trim on the exterior.
Remove old paints and sand the surface
Examine loose old paint and caulks and remove them with a scraper. For a window tint, you may protect the glass with tape so that you don’t ruin it while painting. As for holes, you should fill them with spackle, wipe off excess, and do the same for all the windows.
Once the spackle is dry, you may sand the area for a smooth and fine finish. Use 220-grit sandpaper for the job and sand around the whole window. A clean piece of cloth is great to wipe off the dust.
Apply caulk and primer
Prepare a caulk tube and insert it on the caulk gun. Make sure that the content flows out by breaking the seal. Apply caulk in the space where you removed the old calks and dampen it carefully with your finger. Wipe the area until you feel it smooth, and apply paint only after it has dried completely. Remove the excess caulk with your fingers.
The window trim requires appropriate priming, so preparing the baseboards for painting is crucial. Priming will protect the wood trim from water, and two coats of external primers are ideal. Let it dry before you continue with painting.
Paint the window trim
After you’re done with the caulking and priming, you may continue painting the window trim with a finish coat. Let the first coat dry completely before you apply the second layer. Protect the edges of the window with utility tape to protect them from paint. Once the paint has dried, pull off the tape from the trim’s edges. Should you notice stains of paint on the glass, use a glass cleaner to wash them off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you paint trim around the windows?
It’s possible to paint window trim, but you need to pay attention to the kind of paint you use, especially when it comes to the exterior vinyl window trim. Since you aim for durability and long-lasting results, we recommend using latex paint for window trims made of vinyl.
Is it a good idea to paint the window trim white?
White trim paint will brighten up woodwork and make a room seem modern and fresh. When you don’t know for sure which paint to use for the window trim, you can always go with white—it’s always a safe choice!
Is it cheaper to paint trim white or replace it?
Some homeowners decide to remove the old wood trim or the old crown, whereas others hire professionals to paint the trim. Replacing the trim is more expensive than painting it. Plus, replacing the window trim doesn’t make sense if it’s still in good shape.
You need to paint both the trim and the walls. Which one do you do first?
Many homeowners begin with painting the walls and continue with the trim. They do it while the first coat on the walls is drying. However, you should have the strategy very well planned. Professionals recommend beginning with painting all the woodwork, both coats, and then continue with painting the walls.
Is it ok to use the same paint for the walls and trim?
It’s entirely acceptable to use the same paint for the walls and trim—it’s actually a popular trend. Whether you choose a dark jewel tone or a light neutral color, you can definitely have the same color for the walls, baseboards, door and window trim, crown molding, and doors. Nothing stops you from having the same color paint for the ceiling too.
