Contractors I’m talking to you! Save the pitch, grab the paint, swap the sash.

By now, I’m sure you’ve gotten the request to change the color of a customer’s windows.  The biggest trend right now for exterior improvements is black windows with white trim and siding.  You see it everywhere in new construction.  Only fitting that the look would make its way into remodeling.

The call most likely came to you as a window replacement job.  It would make sense (at least to the homeowner) the only way to get black windows is to change them all out.  That’s a big job!  You need a crew to handle something like that.  But you’re a solo gig.  You’re not used to handling such a big project.  Maybe windows aren’t your thing?  

Don’t pass up the job just yet.  It is possible to paint window frames and upgrade the sash panel without replacing the whole window.  First of all, replacing the sash is easier than you might think.  Of course, there are some things you need to know first.  Are the windows clad, painted wood, or vinyl?  For the purpose of this article, we’re talking about clad wood windows specifically.  Painted wood is the easiest.  Just paint them whatever color you want.  I don’t recommend painting “existing” vinyl windows.  Some say it can be done, but the prep is difficult and requires special paint.  In the end, any lasting results may prove disappointing.  Let’s get back on track with our bread and butter; clad wood windows.

Let’s talk a little bit about the construction of a clad-wood window; specifically, aluminum clad. 

What you will typically see in clad wood windows is the frame is made out of aluminum.  Conceivably, that metal frame may never go bad.  Why tear out and replace something that isn’t bad?  Now the sash, you know the part you open and close, is a little different story.  Clad wood, as the term suggests is a wood frame with a metal skin applied to it.  Your common failures of clad wood windows are glass seal failures and wood rot.  Now we already determined that the frame is made out of metal, so that won’t rot.  We’re talking about the sash.  The glass and frame holding in the glass.  What happens is, water leaks behind the metal cladding and, over time, rots out the wood from behind.  Unsuspecting homeowners go to open a window one day and BOOM!  It falls out in the yard!

Your customer might be thinking, “So I’ve got some rotting sashes, some fogged glass, AND we wish our windows were black. Oh, what are we to do?  Swiss cheese our house for a hundred K!”

Here’s where you step in to be the hero.  You can replace the bad sashes and paint the frames for a fraction of the cost of a tear-out.  Their window issues and color change projects are solved and you get a one-man gig with a great profit margin!  Win-Win.

Replacing just the sashes (ordered in black-clad of course) is the simple and cost-effective answer to any window upgrade. 

Let’s face it, window construction hasn’t changed much in 40 years.  The technology is in the glass, not the wood, metal, and plastic.  Today’s windows are rated by how well the glass performs.  Well spoiler alert, replacement sashes can have the same glass in them any new window does! Additionally, weatherstripping can be replaced, hardware can be upgraded, and yes…change the exterior color.

We’ve covered replacing the sash, effectively offering your customer a significant upgrade in performance, but what to do about the frames? 

I say… spray paint! 

You’re like, “what?” 

Yes, spray paint. 

If you think about it, what’s the best way to paint metal?  You see the Pinterest gals and the Youtube experts grabbing that ol’ paintbrush.  Yikes!  Take another look at a clad wood window, casement, or double-hung, makes no difference.  With the window closed, there is very little of the frame can actually be seen.  You get this white trim-black window look from the surrounding trim (which is white) and basically the face of the sash (which you ordered as black).  All there is to do is paint the little edge of the exposed frame a matte black and you’re golden. 

Now, the pro in you is gonna want to paint the whole frame of course.  This will require removing the sash, but that’s part of the job anyway right?  Just don’t forget your prep.  A light sanding or a de-glosser is recommended.  Masking off what you don’t want to paint is probably the biggest part of the job, but necessary for a pro-quality job.  Just remember, spray paint covers best in a few light coats rather than laying it on too thick.  If it’s too thick it will run and drip everywhere and you’ll just end back up in spray paint kindergarten.  

So, say you came across this article and you’re NOT a contractor or painter. 

Great news!  This can also be a DIY’er project.  Here at Fenster Components, we are still surprised to this day by the number of customers that install their own sashes.  If you think you can handle the tough part, the painting is easy.  And so what if it’s not perfect, no one is, right?  You can have the satisfaction of knowing you accomplished a home project (pretty big one actually) on your own and you saved a ton of money.  Heck, you didn’t even have to pay the contractor!  

Our online ordering process is simple to follow and explains things in layman’s terms.  There are even videos along the way to help you out!

If nothing else, use this article as some expert advice to hire a contractor with confidence.  Whether you do it yourself or hire it out, sash replacement is your easy, hassle-free, and cost-effective solution to replacing, repairing, and upgrading your current windows. 

Visit us for more details at, fensterUSA.com.