Woodwork and doors
Woodwork finished the slow way
Skirting, architrave, window boards, doors, frames, staircases and bannisters. Woodwork is where a decorating job is judged, because it sits at eye level and gets touched every day.
It's also the part that takes the longest to do properly, which is exactly why it's the first thing to get rushed on a cheap quote.
What proper woodwork involves
Several thin, well-prepared coats rather than one thick one.
Sanding back
Existing paintwork flatted so the new coat has a key and the runs from last time disappear.
Knotting
Live knots sealed so resin doesn't bleed through and stain the finish months later.
Filling and caulking
Nail holes filled, and the gap between woodwork and wall caulked to a clean line.
Priming bare timber
New or stripped timber primed before anything else, including the end grain.
Undercoat and topcoat
Built up in thin coats, denibbed between, and laid off in one direction.
Doors off where needed
Doors taken off and done flat when that's the only way to get a proper finish.
Why we usually recommend eggshell
Gloss shows every ripple in the timber underneath and yellows badly on anything oil-based. Modern water-based eggshell and satin stay whiter for longer and hide imperfections far better.
It's a softer, more contemporary look too, which suits most of the houses round here better than a high shine. If you want gloss we'll happily use it, but we'll say why we'd steer you elsewhere first.
Common questions
Can you paint over varnished wood?
Yes, with the right preparation. It needs sanding and a suitable primer, otherwise the topcoat will peel off in sheets.
Will white woodwork go yellow?
Oil-based paints do, especially in rooms with little daylight. Water-based eggshell stays much closer to the colour you chose.
Can you spray doors instead?
For a whole houseful of doors, spraying gives a beautiful finish and can work out well. We'll talk it through and price both ways.
Do you strip old paint?
Where there's heavy build-up round the mouldings, yes. On older houses we take care over lead paint and won't dry-sand it.
Recent work
View the gallery
Staircase panelling
Primed panelling finished in black, with the spindles kept white
Front door and frame
Old black paintwork taken back and finished in a soft cream
Landing and spindles
Handrail and newel caps in black against white spindles
Room in mind? Let's price it.
Free quotes across the High Peak and Macclesfield, usually back to you the same day.