Should we paint window trim, if so, what color?

Fernando C

last year

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PRO

lisedv

last year

I think a dark window trim would look quite nice with the new finish on your house. Difficult to be precise on the colour just from a picture but on the sketch it's in black with matching door. I added a long flower box along the house to bring in some landscaping and the flower bed below the large front windows would also need to also be done.

Comments (17)

PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
last year
Are you planning on painting the rest of the exterior? I'd paint it the same color as the brick--it will give a more cohesive look.
Fernando C thanked Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
Fernando C
Original Author
last year
We just had a "german smear" done to the brick. The brick was red prior to the smear...
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I know today’s trend is minimalist white trim, but I wouldn’t change those windows or their trim. They look gorgeous to me, but I’m a boomer who views wood as a high quality feature. Real wood is a sign of quality because it is generally more expensive than the sleek lines in today’s styles that are made with less expensive synthetic materials that are painted versus stained. The arched mill work on those large windows is awesome and was not cheap. I don’t think you’ll achieve the look you are seeking by painting. Just my opinion.
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The doors and knobs are dating the house. If it's in the budget, it might save you time and effort to replace the doors with a different style in a pre-painted door. Lever handles would also update the look. Then you would have to paint the trim to match. However, wood products are one of things affected by COVID shortages and price increases, so if you do decide to replace the doors, it might pay to wait a year. While gray is going out, you have an overabundance of beige which is also dating the house. So as not to break the bank maybe selectively replace some of the beige flooring? Before doing anything, try to develop an overall plan for your update. Even if you spread the work and/or expense over a couple years, an overall plan will yield a more satisfactory, cohesive result.
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PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
last year
last modified: last year
In that case, paint the trim a white that works with the "schmear". It's difficult to see the detail in the photo but it looks nice from a distance!

If you don't mind some more advice, you might consider removing the shrubs on the left side and re-landscaping.
Fernando C
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Thank you! what are your thoughts on doing a dark window trim?
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
Squinting at the picture it looks like you have white vinyl windows? If so I would paint all the trim white to unify it including the gutters. If the windows are easily paintable (I know you CAN paint vinyl) you could go darker but I don't see black with the German schmear. Definitely pump up the landscaping.
Fernando C
Original Author
last year
https://www.har.com/homedetail/908-merriewood-dr-friendswood-tx-77546/9985256

Above is a link with better pictures for reference. Thanks everyone!
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
IMO removing the driveway to nowhere would be the first thing to do. Ther eis nothing attractive about a driveway and concrete front yard. As for the trim unless you are changing the windows to black ones i would leave the trim as is . When you leave the driveway to what once was the garage it always looks like you forgot to build the garage
Fernando C thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
last year
I'm not understanding the "driveway to nowhere." There is a garage to the right of the house.

Anyway, no black, do white to blend with the schmear.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
last year
Dark trim would look better. May be Urbane Bronze?
decoenthusiaste
last year
I would leave the windows alone, break out all the excess concrete and spend $$$ on plants and a professional landscaper.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
It would be nice to see the real color of the roof. Looks like it's covered in dirt and mildew. That will have a big effect on what we suggest.

I would not remove the driveway because you need a place to park the cars and a new owner might want the garage back again. However, I would clean and paint it a color that complements the house. Trim down or replace the bushes that are overgrown.
tozmo1
last year
Definitely get the mildew off the roof. I have mine done every four years to keep it clean. Costs around $400 for my roof. You'll be amazed at the difference it makes. Right now, you have no clear view of the color of your roof so hard to pick a trim color.

If the windows are indeed vinyl, you can paint them but you don't want to go darker than the existing color. It will absorb the heat and could cause issues with the windows warping. Google painting vinyl windows and you'll see the cautionary advice when painting them.

If they aren't vinyl and you're free to pick a color, I'm with those who say don't paint them dark. Once you clean the roof, you could consider painting the gutters a darker color.

Beverly's idea of staining the driveway is a good one. Really softens the look.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
That driveway has too many stains to consider staining the concrete. I recommended concrete paint to go over the stains after they have been cleaned. The paint should hide any residual effects.
Fernando C
Original Author
last year
@lisedv That is the look we were thinking of going with. I think the picture you posted looks closer to what we were thinking of doing. Would you paint the soffit white or black?
PRO
lisedv
last year
Below you see the Black soffit on the top sketch and White on the bottom. I think I prefer the black but of course I'm only going from the photos.
decoenthusiaste
last year
I don't see a problem with the driveway that leads to the garage on the right, unless that's the neighbor's garage. I'd rather have a front lawn that doesn't throw heat against the windows. Grass and deep curving flower beds would soften the rectangular harshness of the house and windows. Dark trim will just call attention to that aspect of your home.