What I paint outside
- Rendered and pebble-dashed walls, and previously painted brickwork
- Timber windows, including sash windows, and window sills
- Fascias, soffits and bargeboards
- Front doors, porches and garage doors (see doors and staircases)
- Railings, gates and metalwork
Preparation outside
Peeling paint has to come off back to a sound edge, not be painted over. Rotten timber needs cutting out and repairing, or the new paint will blister within a season. Render gets cracks filled and any green growth treated first. Bare timber is primed, and knots are sealed so resin doesn't bleed through.
When to paint outside
Exterior paint needs dry surfaces and mild temperatures to cure properly, so the main exterior season runs from spring to early autumn. Painting onto damp render or in frost leads to flaking. I'll plan the work around the forecast rather than push on in poor weather.
Period houses and conservation areas
Many Hertfordshire towns have conservation areas, and some properties are listed. Changing the exterior colour of a listed building, or using the wrong type of paint on old lime render, can cause problems. If your house is listed or in a conservation area, it's worth checking with your local council before choosing a new exterior colour. I'll use breathable masonry paints on old lime-based walls.
Sash windows
Wooden sash windows are common across the county's older houses. I paint them so they still open: the sashes are freed, the paint is kept off the running parts, and the putty is checked and replaced where it's cracked before painting.