Window painting in Warsaw — restoring wooden frames

Wooden windows bring warmth, character, and excellent sound insulation to any flat. But wood without a protective coat of paint deteriorates within a few seasons: the frame swells, cracks, and starts letting in moisture. Painting your windows is not cosmetic — it is genuine wood protection against Warsaw’s rain, frost, and summer heat. We work in Wilanow, Ursynow, Zoliborz — wherever there are wooden frames worth saving rather than replacing.

How much does it cost and what affects the price

Current prices are in the table below. The cost depends on the number of sashes, the condition of the old coating, and whether full stripping to bare wood is needed or light sanding will do. If the frame is badly damaged, wood filler is required before painting. Masking tape and small materials are included. Paint, primer, and solvent are consumables, charged separately.

How the on-site work goes

1. The technician inspects the windows: number of sashes, wood condition, cracks, rot, peeling paint.
2. The old coating is removed — by sanding, heat gun, or chemical stripper, depending on the number of layers and the type of old paint.
3. Wood defects are filled: deep cracks with epoxy filler, minor ones with acrylic filler.
4. Glass is masked with painter’s tape. Hardware is removed or covered.
5. Wood primer is applied — it ensures paint adhesion and adds moisture protection.
6. First coat of paint — applied by brush, following the wood grain. Drying time per the manufacturer’s instructions.
7. Second coat — after light inter-coat sanding. Final inspection, tape removal, hardware reinstalled.

Common customer mistakes (and how to avoid them)

• Painting over old, peeling paint — the new coat will flake off along with the old one within months.
• Skipping primer — paint absorbs unevenly, goes on patchy, and peels quickly.
• Painting in rain or high humidity — the paint won’t bond, and bubbles will form.
• Applying one thick coat instead of two thin ones — a thick layer dries slowly, cracks, and develops drips.
• Using interior paint outdoors — it cannot withstand UV, rain, or temperature swings.
• Not masking the glass — then scraping paint off with a razor blade and scratching the glass.
• Trying to paint uPVC windows with standard paint — it will not adhere to plastic without a specialist adhesion primer.

What to prepare before the technician arrives

• Remove curtains, blinds, and anything hanging on or near the windows.
• Clear the windowsill — the technician needs space for tools and paint.
• If windows are on upper floors and exterior access is needed — let us know in advance; scaffolding or a platform may be required.
• Ensure ventilation — paint and solvent have a strong smell.
• Decide on the colour beforehand — repainting over wet paint is not an option.
• If frames are heavily damaged — take photos and send them for an estimate.
• Confirm how many windows need painting — this determines the timeframe and cost.
• Provide access details: intercom, parking, basement keys if facade access is needed.
• Cover furniture and the floor beneath windows with sheeting — stripping old paint produces dust and chips.

A real case from Warsaw

A pre-war apartment building in Zoliborz — a ground-floor flat with five large double-hung wooden windows. The tenant had inherited the flat and wanted to restore the original windows rather than replace them with plastic. The paint was cracked and flaking on every frame, and the lower rail of one window had soft, damp wood from years of condensation. Our painter removed all sashes, stripped the frames to bare wood with a heat gun and orbital sander, treated the soft spot with a wood hardener, and filled it with epoxy. Two coats of alkyd primer, two coats of exterior alkyd enamel in classic white. Each window took roughly a day — five days total for the whole flat. The result: perfectly smooth, glossy frames that look exactly as they would have when the building was new in the 1930s. The tenant said the windows now match the character of the original terrazzo floors and oak doors — something plastic replacements could never achieve.

Frequently asked questions

Can windows be painted in winter?
Exterior — no, most paints require a temperature above +5°C. The interior side can be painted year-round in a heated room.

What paint is best for wooden windows?
For exterior use — alkyd or hybrid enamel with UV protection. For interior — acrylic is fine.

How often should wooden windows be repainted?
With a quality paint job — every 5–7 years. South-facing windows may need refreshing sooner due to UV exposure.

Can uPVC windows be painted?
Yes, but only with a specialist adhesion primer for plastic. Standard paint will not stick to uPVC.

Do the sashes need to be removed for painting?
Not always. For a standard repaint we work in situ. For a full restoration — removing them gives a better result.

How long does window paint take to dry?
Between coats — 4–8 hours depending on the product. Full hardening — 2–3 days. During that time, avoid closing the windows tightly.

Who does the work

Window painting and restoration is carried out by experienced painters who specialise in woodwork. We cover all of Warsaw — centre to suburbs. Call or message us, send photos of your windows — we’ll assess the scope and arrange a convenient time.