Help me me finish these exterior windows

October 22, 2024 10:11 AM

I recently moved to a new house and was told I need to finish the windows before Winter.

There are those little wood planks around the window trim, and they are unfinished. How should I finish them?

Images here: https://postimg.cc/21HR2jXq

Sorry for my lack of vocabulary! I'm new to home improvement, and English is my 2nd language!

Thanks!

posted by plant or animal to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

Best answer: That trim around the windows is bare wood, which will not fare well in winter weather -- it will absorb water, which is bad. You need to paint them (using a primer and then several layers of paint) using a paint that is meant for outside use. Take the photo with you to a good paint store and talk to the clerk -- they will help you figure out what kinds of paint you need. [When I say good paint store, what I mean is be aware that paint quality does matter. Your local Ace Hardware is great for many things, but their house-brand paint is not up to the task. I mean somewhere like Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, or even Home Depot (though I don't think HD's Behr is all that great, personally). All I really mean is that, in my experience, good quality paint makes a difference.] You should also see if there are any gaps between the trim and the window, and also between the window and the brick, because these will need to be filled with an outdoor-rated caulk so that water cannot get in. Be sure to check on all sides, including the top and the bottom above and below the window, since water is sneaky. If the gaps are large, you will need to use foam backer rod (looks like a gray foam snake; comes in multiple diameters) to first fill the gaps and then apply caulk over it. Given that the windows are white, you'll probably want to use a white paint and white caulk to make the whole thing visually blend together, but that's a matter of taste, not weather-proofing. The sill below the window also looks like it needs some attention, since that paint looks old and may not be weather-worthy any more.
posted by pleasant_confusion at 10:43 AM on October 22, 2024 [10 favorites]

Wow, okay, the answer above is brilliant, but ...

I'm going to say that if you're new to home improvement you should hire someone to do this, because if you get it wrong you are in for a world of hurt in the form of subtle, long term water damage.

Ask your realtor for a recommendation on a good handy/fixit person, specifying that you need someone to do some exterior caulking and painting and you want to be sure it's done right.

Alternately, go to one of those good paint stores mentioned above and say "who do you recommend who can caulk and paint new exterior window trim?"

OK this is not technically hard stuff, and if you can sling caulk and wield a paintbrush you can do it yourself, but there are details about getting it just right that do matter. And, if your entire house needs this done, and especially if there are hard to reach areas, and especially a second floor that might need a ladder, it may be worth the peace of mind to hire a seasoned pro to ensure that your house is weathertight for this winter and many winters to come.

Because if you goof it up you may not notice the problem this year, or the next, but in five years or ten, and then there will be sorrow and regret.

(Absolutely learn how to DIY your home stuff, but start with the easy things, like interior paint, filling nail holes, maybe change some switch plates, recaulking the shower stall, etc.)
posted by seanmpuckett at 12:11 PM on October 22, 2024 [8 favorites]

I mean somewhere like Sherwin-Williams

As a homeowner and a home care idiot I just want to say that every trip I've had to Sherwin Williams has been positive. Their staff is helpful and it's a very un-intimidating environment. I'm not competent enough to answer your question but I strong agree on the advice to go to a Sherwin Williams for your questions.
posted by phunniemee at 12:33 PM on October 22, 2024 [2 favorites]

Ace Hardware's "house" brand is Benjamin Moore, at least where I live.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 1:23 PM on October 22, 2024 [3 favorites]

I think that advice is kind of overkill. First, exterior surfaces of homes should be designed to shed small amounts of infiltrated water because caulk only lasts a short period of time. Caulk kinda sucks. It's a good enough stopgap product for a while if you are diligent.

If your window guy didn't hang them competently, there's nothing you can do about that, short of pull them down and do it again. The signs they were done competently are all behind that surface treatment stuff.

There's actually a product called 'brickmold' that goes around bricked doors and windows, which is not that 1" trim stuff put on there - but again I'm not a window or door trim expert. There might be brickmold on there too.

To the extent that you have to finish them, then that's a fine DIY starter job. Get some good exterior primer (KILLZ is one brand). And an exterior paint. It'll be fine for a while. Be sure to use painter tape for good lines.


IMO your finish looks kinda cheap. A future DIY would be to put thicker framing around those windows, in wood or cement board. Something more like this, depending on the style of your home.
posted by The_Vegetables at 1:39 PM on October 22, 2024 [1 favorite]

I’m in the process of restoring my peeling wood storm windows on a brick house and trying to beat serious winter. Mine are full on wood windows, not just trim. Here’s what I would do based on my research and current experience:

1. Wipe down with a damp rag/make sure it’s clean and give it a light sanding. By hand is fine.
2. Paint on an oil based primer (I used Zinsser). I used throw away foam brushes because cleaning up oil paint is a pain.
3. After it’s dry give it a light sanding by hand then wipe it down so there’s no dust. Put on two coats of exterior paint —my window guy says Benjamin Moore is the best. In fact he said 2 coats of that and he’s okay with no primer on new wood in good condition (my windows are not that).
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I’m off to sand my primer coat tomorrow!

posted by Bunglegirl at 4:38 PM on October 22, 2024 [1 favorite]

Between steps 2 and 3 I forgot to add using caulk along the edge of your wood to the brick. You can buy a red color close to your brick then when you paint you can go over half of it or all of it depending on what works.
posted by Bunglegirl at 6:37 PM on October 22, 2024