Maintaining Property: Windows
Many modern homes have uPVC
windows and doors, which for the
most part, are virtually
maintenance-free. However, if
your property features wooden
windows and doors, you will need
to protect them from damage
caused by rain, frost and the
suns' UV rays.
Weather protection systems for
wooden structures are either
paint based or varnish based. In
the past, most exterior paints
were oil based, but nowadays many
paints are water based, which
allows for easier brush cleaning
and less toxic residues and
reduced heavy odors.
The technology behind varnish
coats has also improved recently,
with a vast range of colors and
stains to choose from.
Whatever system you choose, the
key to long lasting protection is
preparation. The effort taken to
remove all loose paint and sand
down surfaces is well worth it,
as it will save you time later in
repairing damage due to badly
applied paint.
The best time to renew your
woodwork paint is at the end of
summer when the least amount of
moisture will be trapped within
the wood.
Before starting the actual
painting, you must spend as much
time as necessary in the
preparation of the surface. You
will need a scraping knife,
sanding paper and a sanding block
for flat surfaces. If you are
burning old paint off woodwork,
make sure you can quickly and
safely douse any small fires that
may result. Paint stripper may be
a better choice and remember to
keep oil-based paint and white
spirit away from sources of heat.
Wear rubber gloves and protective
glasses whilst working.
Exterior paintwork generally is
applied in three layers. If you
skimp on any of these, the wooden
structures on your property will
be improperly protected.
The first coat to be applied,
after removing all loose paint
and properly preparing the
surfaces, is primer. Primer
prevents the wood from absorbing
all of the oil from the paint
which would stop it protecting
the paintwork.
The next layer to be applied
after the undercoat has dried is
the undercoat. Undercoat has two
functions, it smoothes the
surface, filling in small cracks
and dips. It also provides a matt
key to allow the final topcoat
layer to adhere to the wood as
well as possible.
Topcoat provides the weatherproof
colored layer and is long lasting
and tough.You can buy paints that
combine both primer and the
undercoat but these tend to be
more expensive and may not last
as long as the two layer system.
Among the companies which supply windows in the Limerick area are:
Complete Conservatories And Sunrooms,
“Salredken”,
Ballinacarriga,
Kildimo,
Co. Limerick.
Phone: 061 393580 / 087 6829846
Fax : 061 393631
Conservatories Direct Ltd.,
29 O'Connell Street,
Limerick,
Ireland
Tel:061 314146 Fax:061 314153 Mobile: 086 8384376
Ryan Windows and Doors
Abington Enterprise Centre
Muroe
Co. Limerick
Cosgrave Aluminium
Pallasgreen
Limerick
Fitzhealy Windows
Riverside Business Park
Dock Road
Limerick
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