Windows, trim and porches
Trim is where the weather gets in first
Sills, casings, fascia, brackets, porch posts and railings take the sun and rain from every side. They're also where a paint job shows, so they get the most careful hands.
How we handle it
Soft wood probed and patched before paint
Edges taped and cut in by hand
Glazing and joints sealed, not painted over
Porch floors given several dry days to cure
What's included
The trim list
Most old houses have every one of these. The estimate names the ones yours has.
Sills and casings
Where water sits. We probe, patch and re-caulk before priming.
Fascia, soffits and brackets
High work done from a ladder or scaffold, with the gutters taped off.
Corner boards and water tables
The edges that hold siding together, sealed at the ends.
Porch posts and rails
Sanded around the turnings and primed in all the grooves.
Porch floors and steps
Cleaned, sanded, primed and given time to cure before foot traffic.
Porch ceilings
Many Seattle porch ceilings are pale blue or green. We match what's there or help you choose.
Repair or repaint
What happens to soft wood
Paint doesn't fix rot. This is how we decide what to do with a soft spot.
| Large or through | Small and local | |
|---|---|---|
| What we see | Large or throughA sill or board that is soft all the way through | Small and localA soft spot you can press a thumb into |
| What we do | Large or throughReplace the board or the section | Small and localCut out, fill or patch, then prime |
| On the estimate | Large or throughIts own line, agreed with you first | Small and localIn the prep line |
Questions we get most
What does prep include, and what costs extra?
Washing off moss and dirt, scraping loose paint, sanding edges, caulking and priming bare wood are in the estimate. Replacing rotted wood beyond small patches is priced on its own line once we see how much there is.
How many coats, and what sheen?
Bare wood gets primer, and every surface gets two finish coats. We choose the sheen with you: usually low sheen on siding, satin or semi-gloss on trim, and a floor-rated enamel on porch floors.
How do you protect plants, floors and furniture?
Plastic and drop cloths go down under every work area, and shrubs near walls are tied back or covered. Inside, floors, stair treads and furniture are covered, and we vacuum at the end of each day.
Show us the trim that worries you.
Point it out on the walk-through and we'll put it on the estimate.