Recently we had a few replacement
windows installed in our home and I spent the better part of a day staining
windows and window grilles. Staining new windows is a tedious job however
you can make your life a bit easier if you pre-stain window trim prior to
installing it. Staining windows in a new home, where the finished flooring
has yet to be installed, can also make your life easier. When staining a new
window in an existing home, with finished flooring under the window,
additional care is required. I highly recommend removing the windows from
the window frame and staining them in another area. This reduces the risk of
making a mess in the finished living space.
When staining new windows its best to
set up a work area in a garage or large open area with plenty of fresh air. Next
spread newspaper out all over the work area floor to prevent any inadvertent
stain drips on the floor. Also assemble some rags, moistened paper towels, fine
grit sand paper, screw driver, stain and a foam brush.
Next remove the new windows from the window frame and bring them out to your
work area. If the new windows included grilles remove them from the windows.
Then remove the mechanical catch hardware from the windows using a screw driver.
If there are window grilles that need
to be stained I recommend doing them first. They are fragile and tedious and it
is best to get them done first while your patience is still high. This way
you’re less likely to break one while in the process of staining them. After
staining the window grilles set them aside in a location where there is no risk
of you bumping or stepping on them.
Next stir the stain thoroughly. Then apply the stain to the window grilles
making sure to stain only the clear wood portions. Immediately after staining
the window grilles wipe them down with a clean rag.
Also inspect the back side of the
grilles to see if there is any stain on the painted surfaces. If there is
immediately wipe the stain off with a rag, followed by a moist paper towel.
Once you’ve completed staining the window grilles and have put them aside
you can begin to stain the windows themselves. When staining new windows,
start by applying the stain to the stiles and rails along the perimeter of
the window. Then immediately wipe them down with a clean dry rag. Inspect
the wood to ensure the stain took evenly. If there had been a film of glue
stuck on a portion of the window it may not have absorbed the stain very
well. If you run into this situation lightly sand the affected area with
fine grit sandpaper and then reapply the stain to that specific area. Again,
make sure to immediately wipe down the area after staining it.
With the grilles and windows stained you can then move
on to the window frame. Again, great care is necessary from preventing
stain from being dripped or spilled onto the finished floors. Make sure
to lay newspaper below the window frame. If the window trim was
previously stained prior to it being installed your work is much easier.
Simply apply stain to the interior bare wood portions of the window
frame and then wipe it down with a dry rag. If the window trim was not
stained prior to its installation then you’ll need to apply a high
quality thick masking tape around the perimeter of the window and very
carefully stain the trim.
Photo by Mark Donovan
As you stain each section of the window casing trim I highly recommend
removing the masking tape near it as quickly as possible. This way you can
prevent any bleed through from the masking tape to the finished wall
surface.
After the stain has had a few hours to dry you can then reinstall the new
windows into the window frame and reattach the grilles to complete the
project.
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