DIY Friendly: Give Old Metal Windows a Sleek Black Makeover

Black framed windows have been popular among architects and interior designers for the past 10 years+. While this is something to consider when building your own home/undergoing a renovation, it's not an "easy" or "affordable" upgrade to make to your home.

Therefore, we have been exploring new ways to get the same impact without the high price tag of replacing your windows.

This is meant to be a step by step guide for those interested in upgrading old metal framed windows for under $200.

Materials Needed

1. Quality metal primer (our favorite is Behr)
2. Black metal paint - if you are doing just a few windows, we have had success with using spray paint (this one) but if you are looking to do larger windows, we recommend using a gallon of paint (this is the one we have used)
3. Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
4. Paintbrushes and a small roller
5. Painter's tape + Peel and Mask (if you haven't used this yet, this is a MAJOR time savor that we highly recommend)
6. Drop cloths or old newspapers
7. Cleaning supplies (I like to use soap and water)
8. Safety gear (gloves, mask, goggles)

Get started:

1. Make sure you have good ventilation
2. Remove dirt, grease, and old paint flakes to ensure the paint will stick
3. Use medium grit sandpaper to roughen the surface, then fine grit to smooth it out and help make the paint stick
4. Clean one last time with vacuum and wet rag to remove any debris from sanding
5. Use painter's tape to protect the wall/trim around the window and paint Peel and Mask on window panes.

Now you are ready to paint! If you are choosing to do just a few windows in your house, prioritize ones that will have maximum impact such as main living room area, large picture windows, etc.

Pro Tips:

• THIN coats will be key to get even non-clumpy coverage
• For proper coverage, we recommend a minimum of 3 coats waiting until each coat FULLY dries prior to starting the next coat
• Regularly clean the painted windows to maintain the sheen.
• Check annually for any signs of chipping or rust to touch up.

For this DIY, we say to reserve around 2-3 hours per window as the most time intensive part is prepping the window itself before the paint even begins but WOW is the outcome impactful!