Trim and siding painting in Dobbs Ferry, NY

Why trim wears out first

Window sills, fascia boards, porch rails and door casings take the most water and sun on a house. Sills catch rain, fascia sits behind gutters that overflow, and horizontal surfaces hold snow. On older Rivertowns homes with detailed trim, these parts often start peeling years before the siding does.

Painting trim on its own is a reasonable way to protect the house between full repaints. It is also a common way to freshen the look of a house with a new accent color.

What the job involves

Trim work is detailed and slow. It means scraping and sanding narrow surfaces, filling cracks, replacing rotted sections, reglazing or caulking around window glass where needed, priming and brushing on finish coats. Fascia and soffits often require tall ladders, especially on the downhill side of a sloped lot.

• Window sills, sashes and casings
• Fascia boards and soffits
• Corner boards and rake boards
• Porch railings, columns and ceilings
• Individual siding sections or one elevation

Painting part of the siding

If one side of your house takes the brunt of the weather, such as a wall facing the river, a painter can repaint that elevation on its own. New paint will look slightly different from older paint nearby, so many homeowners choose to repaint to a natural break, such as a corner board.

Repairs and wood replacement

Rot in sills and fascia is common in older homes. Small sections can be cut out and patched with wood or epoxy filler, while badly damaged boards should be replaced. Ask how repairs will be priced, whether by the piece, by the hour or as an allowance.

Lead on older trim

Trim on pre-1978 homes often carries the oldest layers of paint. Federal rules require paid contractors who disturb that paint to be EPA Lead-Safe Certified firms and to contain dust and chips. Ask about this before any scraping or sanding begins.

Questions homeowners ask