External woodwork re-painting frequency

Roger Mills · 2014-08-25T10:16:40+00:00

I hate external woodwork which needs to be re-painted frequently, and my main home in the midlands is largely maintenance-free in this respect. But I also own a flat in a converted Georgian house in the New Forest - which *does* have lots of external woodwork. The current practice is to re-paint it every five years - but it was last done only 3 years ago, and lots of paint is already pealing off - particularly on the window-cills. Anyone have a view as to how long a re-paint had *ought* to last, and whether or not a life of only 3 years is a sign of shoddy workmanship? It seems to me that one problem with old buildings is that if the woodwork is only slightly unsound - and contains any moisture at all - that moisture will fund its way out, and force the paint off. Although any obviously rotten timber was replaced when it was last painted, paint was almost certainly applied on a number of *slightly* dubious areas. Anyone else faced with similar problems and, if so, have you found a solution? Before you say "replace all the woodwork with uPVC" I should perhaps point out that it's a Grade II listed building - so that ain't an option!

Aug 25, 2014 23 Replies

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Andy Burns 11 years ago

Results look pretty good too

I managed to coax a larger photo out of their webserver

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Roger Mills 11 years ago

Ah, yes - finally managed to see the plans. Not really an apples for apples comparison with the Blackburn project though because the application and decision occurred around 20 years ago. An awful lot has happened in the meantime to improve the appearance of uPVC windows, not to mention the importance now attached to thermal efficiency - which nobody cared about at the time. I need to find out what the NFDC's current attitude is. I'm not that optimistic, because they're a pretty stuffy lot!

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Brian Gaff 11 years ago

I have a window sill like this. You can tell its taken the primer off of the wood and caused cracks in the outside. of course its black with hindsight maybe not a good choice in full sunshine!

Brian

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djc 11 years ago

If it is south or sw-facing it will be more exposed to the sun and rain so will not last as long. The rear (north) windows of my flat are sound and some are probably the Georgian originals, only one light one sash in the front remains original and all need attention.

I agree, good preparation is essential and not often done.

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