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The Colour Supplement
Home » Inspiration » Exterior painting tips: doors, windows and metalwork

Exterior painting tips: doors, windows and metalwork

There’s something about the clocks changing and the advent of brighter, drier days that make you want to fling open the doors and windows… and then immediately notice they could do with a little love. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to tackle exterior painting, this is it.

Here’s a helpful, no-fuss guide to getting doors, windows and metalwork looking beautiful again using our beautiful natural paint, with some inspirational images.

Mason Pink front door. Credit: Camilla Barnes
Fine Green and Spanish White. Credit: Amy Eld, Rock the Heirloom

The golden rules, before you start

  • Pick your colour and sheen level
    Choose your colour using our A5 colour swatches or one of our sample pots. For a satin finish, select our water based eggshell with a 20% sheen, or for greater shine choose our gloss that is 80%.
  • Pick your moment
    Dry, mild days are ideal, not too hot, not too cold, and definitely no rain on the horizon.
  • Work with the sun 
    Follow the shade around the house so paint doesn’t dry too quickly.
  • Prep is everything
    A good finish is 80% preparation, 20% painting.
Order a free colour chart
Window painted in Creami Colour

How to prepare outdoor woodwork and metal work 

Priming Woodwork

All bare wood should be primed with our natural Water Based Primer.  Pre-treat any bleeding knots on bare wood with a dab of Water Based Primer before coating the whole area. Allow to dry thoroughly and lightly sand before applying at least two coats of the Water Based Eggshell, sand lightly between coats for best results (this is also a test to whether the surface is dry enough for the next coat).

Previously painted wood should be sanded thoroughly to provide a good key and then painted with at least two coats of Water Based Eggshell.

Priming Metal

For iron parts that are not factory primed, clean and sand to remove all corrosion. Prime with a Rust Protection Primer. Allow to dry thoroughly. For ferrous metals pre-primed by the manfacturer and not exhibiting any corrosion, clean and sand thoroughly and apply a first coat diluted with 5% water and then 2 top coats.  Not suitable for galvanised steel or non-ferrous metals.

Follow the flow chart

Plain White

White is the traditional choice for external woodwork but introducing external colour can really add the wow factor to your house. Edward Bulmer Natural Paint offers 23 whites and over 100 colours, but don’t be overwhelmed. Our colour consultants are on hand to help and advise you on the best colour for your home.

Ethereal Blue front door
Duck Egg porch and windows

A few hours in the sunshine, a good brush in hand, and suddenly your home feels completely refreshed. Start with one door or window,  you’ll be surprised how satisfying it is. Got the painting bug and want to keep painting? Perhaps your garden benches and chairs need a refresh too? Follow the same instructions and you can stretch your refresh to the garden.

Garden bench in Brick. Woodwork in bespoke colour.
Garden bench in Verdigris

Colours featured in this article

  • Plain White

  • Spanish White

  • Creami Colour

  • Mason Pink

  • Duck Egg

  • Ethereal Blue

  • Verdigris

  • New

    Iznik

  • Fine Green

  • Brick

Click on button for detailed technical data

Technical data sheets

For more spring inspiration, may we suggest:

Easter tablescapes and dining room decorations

Sunshine in a tin: natural yellow paint ideas for bright British homes

Transform your guest bedroom with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint

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The Colour Supplement

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How much paint do I need?

We have created this calculator to help you estimate the amount of paint you will need for your project. Please note that this is only an estimate, based on normal surfaces with two coats of paint.

Please check our practical painting advice - if you are painting onto a very absorbent surface, you may need more paint, and for best results, you may need to prime your surfaces.

If you end up with any leftover paint, get inspired with ways to use any excess paint - it's even compostable!

What are you painting?

Estimated
Painted Wall/Ceiling Area

Our natural matt emulsion is perfect for interior walls and ceilings.

0 litres

0 m2

This estimate is based on two coats of paint and the dimensions of your room, minus the space taken by average doors and windows.

For this area, we suggest would be adequate.

Estimated
Woodwork Area

Our water based eggshell or gloss is ideal for woodwork or metalwork.

0 litres

0 m2

This estimate is based on two coats of paint and the skirting and the doors/windows you told us about. 1 litre should cover 2-3 doors or 20m of skirting.

For this area, we suggest would be adequate.

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