How to Paint an Interior Wooden Window Frame

Painting window frames is not an easy task for amateur decorators. But with the right tools, preparation steps and our expert advice, you can achieve a high quality finish every time.

Simply follow these few preparation and painting steps and gain inspiration for incorporating window frames into your interior scheme.

Choose the best paint for interior window frames

Selecting the right paint for the job is key to achieving a beautiful and durable result. We offer a range of oil-based and water-based paints that have been specifically designed for interior woodwork. You can also choose from a selection of options depending on how glossy you want the finish to be.

Intelligent Eggshell and Intelligent Satin are our most popular paint choices for interior woodwork. They both have a very smart, low-sheen finish that looks subtle and elegant when paired with Intelligent Matt Emulsion or Absolute Matt Emulsion on walls. Or for a luxurious high sheen, choose Intelligent Gloss to add an element of contrast on your window frames.

Wall: Flint

Ceiling: Deep Space Blue

Window Frame: Marigold

Our Intelligent paints are all water-based with excellent durability and adhesion. These types of paint are ideal for wooden window frames, as they resist wear and tear and, crucially, protect against moisture.

If you prefer the tough, penetrative abilities of oil-based paint, try Interior Oil Eggshell for a soft sheen or Traditional Oil Gloss for a classic oil gloss finish. These paints do require 16 hours between coats, so it’s advisable to take real time and care when applying.

Wall: Briar Rose – Green Verditer

Ceiling: Mid Azure Green

Fireplace: Green Verditer

Window Frame: Whitening

Skirting: Mid Azure Green

Read our guide to choosing the right paint finish for your project

Select colours to highlight your window frames

When painting interior woodwork, we can often choose brilliant white out of habit. Yet wooden window frames can become beautiful interior features when highlighted with colour.

Why not add a pop of colour to an otherwise neutral scheme to create an interesting focal point. Paint your window frames in the punchy orange, Marigold, alongside pale Flint walls and Deep Space Blue on the ceiling to make a real statement.

Wall: Flint

Ceiling: Deep Space Blue

Window Frame: Marigold

The elegant muted yellow, Light Gold, combines beautifully with the creamy white, White Lead, due to their shared yellow undertones. Similarly, Green Stone - Light is a fantastic alternative to white when paired alongside our Bird & Bluebell wallpaper in Pea Green.

Wall: Light Gold

Radiator: Urbane Grey

Architrave: Scree

Chair: Heat

Window Frame: White Lead

How to prepare interior wooden window frames for painting

Before you get started, ensure that you protect any areas you don’t want to paint. Use a good quality masking tape that doesn’t allow the paint to bleed underneath.

Cover catches, hinges and handles, or you might consider removing these fixtures completely. Tape the edges of the windowpane flush with the edge of the frame.
Some wooden window frames have horizontal or vertical cross-pieces (known as bars, rails and/or muntins). If you have these, make sure to tape every glass pane for protection.
Cover the carpet and the wall directly below the window if you can. This can save time and money, especially if you no longer have any leftover paint to touch up your walls.
Clean the window frame and the glass thoroughly to remove the likelihood of dirt, grime or dust being mixed into your paint.

Ceiling: Dorchester Pink

Window Frame: Green Stone - Light

Skirting: Puck

Read our guide to painting skirting boards

The next steps in the preparation process depend on the condition of your window frame and whether it has been painted previously.

New, unpainted wood: Apply a coat of Aluminium Wood Primer or Intelligent All Surface Primer tinted to the shade of your topcoat to prepare the wood for painting.
Previously painted wood in good condition: You don’t necessarily need to use a primer unless you’re attempting a drastic colour change. Rub the previously painted window frame with medium grade sandpaper to help the paint adhere to the existing paint surface.
Previously painted wood with flaking or powdery surface: The new painted surface will only perform well if the one underneath is sound. Strip back the old painted surface and remove any unstable areas. Sand with a medium grade sandpaper to create a smooth painting surface.

Walls & Fireplace: Leather

Ceiling & Window Frame: Loft White

How to paint interior wooden window frames

Stir your paint with your stirrer stick, ensuring consistency throughout the tin.
Decant some of the paint into a separate container and reseal the tin. This step prevents the paint in the tin from evaporation and contamination.
If your window frame has horizontal and vertical rails, start your coverage from these areas. Paint from the centre outwards to maintain control.
Concentrate on keeping your brushstrokes long and consistent. With detailed work like painting window frames, you will need to pay special attention to avoid drips from the edges and pooling in the corners.
You may need to switch to a smaller brush for the underneath of the window sill. You should aim to paint from the wall outwards and finish on the top surface of the sill.
Leaving the masking tape in place, let the window paint dry in a well-ventilated environment.
Once dry, apply a second coat of paint in your chosen shade and finish to achieve full depth of colour.

Walls: Great Ormond Street – Tropical Wallpaper

Ceiling: Linen Wash

Window frame: Royal Navy

Units: Air Force Blue

Tips for painting wooden window frames

Choose a good quality angled paint brush. The brush should be able to maintain a flat edge and not lose any bristles.
If it’s windy outside, opening the window is not necessarily the best way to provide ventilation. Drying paint is vulnerable to loose particles in the air. Instead, try to leave internal doors open to allow plenty of air to move within the space.
You should only remove the masking tape once the painted surface is fully dry. For easy removal and to ensure a really crisp result, run a sharp knife blade along the edge of the tape.

Wall: Middle Buff

Detail Stripe: Hammock

Window Frame: French Grey

Ceiling: French Grey – Pale

Browse our Intelligent Eggshell and Intelligent Satin finishes, available in our full colour palette.

Order a free colour card to start your project.

Or, consider the other side of the frame with our guide to painting exterior windows and woodwork.