exterior
Sash Window Painting
Specialist care for London's iconic timber sash windows
From £120 per window
Standard sash window externals. Internal painting, putty renewal, and timber repairs quoted individually based on condition.
Typical Duration
1-2 windows per day depending on condition
Free Consultation
No-obligation quote and colour advice
Timber sash windows are one of London's defining architectural features, and maintaining them properly is both an aesthetic and a structural necessity. Our sash window painting service addresses the unique challenges these windows present: multiple moving parts, concealed surfaces that trap moisture, putty that cracks and fails, and paint that must remain thin enough for the sashes to slide freely. We combine careful preparation with the right paint systems to keep your sash windows looking elegant and functioning smoothly.
About Our Sash Windows Service
Sash windows have graced London's townhouses, terraces, and mansion blocks since the early eighteenth century. Their elegant proportions and slender glazing bars contribute enormously to the character of period streetscapes across Mayfair, Belgravia, Kensington, and Chelsea. Yet sash windows are also among the most maintenance-intensive elements of any building. The timber components are exposed to weather on the outside and condensation on the inside. The bottom rail of the lower sash and the sill beneath it bear the brunt of rainwater run-off and are the first areas to show signs of rot. Meeting rails and parting beads accumulate paint over the decades until the sashes can barely move. Putty dries out, cracks, and falls away, leaving glazing exposed to moisture ingress. Painting sash windows properly is a specialist skill. It requires the painter to free stuck sashes, work methodically around multiple components in the correct sequence, and apply paint thinly enough that the windows continue to operate after the coats have dried. Our sash window team understands these windows intimately and treats each one with the care it deserves.
What We Deliver
- Full preparation of sash window frames including sanding, scraping, and priming
- Raking out and renewing cracked or missing putty
- Timber repair and splice grafting for localised rot damage
- Paint application in the correct sash sequence for full coverage
- Thin-coat application to maintain free movement of sliding sashes
- Painting of sills, horns, and external casing
- Easing and adjustment of sticking sashes after painting
- Draught-proofing recommendations and installation coordination
Our Approach
Sash window painting follows a precise sequence developed to ensure that every surface is coated while the sashes can still be moved for access. We begin by raising the lower sash and lowering the upper sash to expose the meeting rails and the bottom of the upper sash. These concealed areas are painted first. The sashes are then returned to their normal positions, and the remaining visible surfaces are painted. Throughout this process, we keep the sashes mobile by periodically sliding them to prevent paint bonding at the joints. External sills and casing are prepared and painted with weather-resistant coatings, and any failed putty is raked out, reprimed, and replaced with fresh linseed oil putty that is allowed to skin before painting. We never use silicone-based sealants on sash windows, as they are incompatible with linseed putty and prevent proper adhesion of future paint coats. Where timber decay is found, our team carries out splice repairs using seasoned timber to restore structural integrity without the need for full window replacement.
Materials & Brands
We use Dulux Trade Weathershield Gloss and Satinwood for external sash window finishes, providing excellent UV and moisture resistance. Little Greene Intelligent Exterior Eggshell is specified where a softer sheen is preferred. For heritage and listed properties, Ottosson linseed oil paint offers a traditional, breathable finish that is highly durable and sympathetic to original timber. Putty is traditional linseed oil putty from Reddiplex or similar, and timber repairs use Repair Care epoxy resin systems for lasting, paintable results.
Property Considerations
Sash windows in conservation areas and on listed buildings must be maintained rather than replaced, making regular repainting essential to their longevity. We understand the planning constraints that apply and can advise on colour choices that comply with conservation area guidelines. Properties with original crown glass or handmade glass panes require extra care during preparation to avoid cracking these irreplaceable elements. Secondary glazing, where fitted internally, needs to be temporarily removed to allow proper painting of the inner sash faces. We coordinate with sash window restoration specialists where more extensive overhaul work is needed alongside painting.
Why Choose Our Sash Windows Service
Specialist Knowledge
Our painters understand sash window construction and paint them in the correct sequence to ensure full coverage and continued smooth operation.
Putty Renewal
Cracked and missing putty is raked out and replaced with traditional linseed oil putty, protecting glazing from water ingress and draughts.
Timber Repairs
Localised rot is addressed with splice repairs and epoxy consolidation, avoiding costly full window replacement where possible.
Conservation Sensitivity
We understand listed building and conservation area requirements, specifying appropriate materials and colours that comply with local policies.
Our Sash Windows Process
Window Survey
Each window is assessed for timber condition, putty integrity, paint adhesion, and ease of movement, with findings recorded per window.
Preparation & Repair
Old paint is scraped, sound timber is sanded, rotted sections are repaired, and putty is renewed where required.
Priming & Painting
Bare timber is primed, followed by undercoat and topcoat applied in the correct sash painting sequence for complete coverage.
Easing & Final Check
Sashes are eased to ensure smooth sliding, hardware is cleaned, and each window is checked for full coverage and clean lines.
Brands We Use for Sash Windows
Available Across London
We offer sash window painting across all 20 of our service areas in prime London.
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Learn moreFrequently Asked Questions
We open and close each sash through the drying cycle and apply a thin bead of candle wax to the channels. We use microporous paints that remain slightly flexible, preventing the hard film build-up that causes traditional sash windows to stick.
Yes. We splice in new timber or use a two-part epoxy wood repair system to restore rotten sections to full structural strength before priming and painting. If the damage is extensive we can coordinate a full sash overhaul with our joinery partners.
A single sash window in reasonable condition takes approximately half a day including preparation, priming bare areas and applying two topcoats. If significant repair or stripping is needed, allow a full day per window.
We apply Sikkens Rubbol or Dulux Weathershield exterior gloss over a suitable primer. These microporous systems allow the timber to breathe while providing excellent UV and moisture protection — essential for London's variable climate.
It makes excellent sense. While the sashes are accessible we can install brush-pile or compression-seal draught strips. Combining the two services saves you the cost of a separate visit and ensures the draught-proofing sits neatly within the freshly painted frame.
Yes, we paint both sides as standard. The exterior receives a full gloss or satin system for weather protection, while the interior is finished to match your room scheme — often in eggshell to complement surrounding woodwork.
We can fully strip sash windows using infrared paint strippers, chemical paste or careful hot-air methods. This is particularly worthwhile when multiple layers of old paint have built up and are affecting the operation or appearance of the window.
Ready for Expert Sash Windows?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from our specialist team. We respond within 24 hours.