Late summer is the best time to look after the timber on the outside of your home. The weather is usually dry and warm enough for painting and repairs, and any problems fixed now won’t get worse over the autumn and winter. On the Lincolnshire coast, where salt air, wind-driven rain and storms take their toll, it’s especially worthwhile. This guide is your late-summer checklist for exterior timber maintenance.
Your exterior timber maintenance checklist
- Windows and doors: look for flaking paint, cracked putty, soft timber and gaps around frames. Pay special attention to sills and the bottom rails of doors and sashes, where water collects.
- Fascias, soffits and bargeboards: check for rot and loose sections, and clear gutters while you’re up there.
- Cladding and gates: look for split boards, failing finishes and rusting fixings.
- Seals and draught-proofing: replace worn seals before the cold weather.
Paint and finish
Paint and stain are what protect timber from the weather. Once the finish cracks or peels, water gets in and rot follows. Prepare properly by sanding back loose material, filling small defects and priming bare timber before applying the topcoats. Choose exterior products designed for your timber, and use stainless steel or suitably coated fixings on the coast to avoid rust stains.
Small repairs before big problems
Small areas of rot can often be cut out and repaired with new timber spliced in, which is far cheaper than replacing a whole window or door. Leave it too long and replacement may be the only option.
When replacement is the right answer
If timber is badly rotten or windows and doors no longer close properly, made-to-measure replacements may be the best investment. Our bespoke joinery uses quality timber and details designed to shed water, so they last longer in exposed coastal locations. For period homes, we match original profiles and proportions.
Why it matters
Well-maintained timber keeps your home warm and dry, prevents costly damage and keeps it looking its best. A little effort in late summer can save a lot of money later.
Local help when you need it
From our Skegness base we repair and replace windows, doors and exterior timber across Burgh le Marsh, Louth, Boston and the coast. Our carpentry team also handles fascias, soffits and roof timbers.
Regular exterior timber maintenance is the simplest way to make windows and doors last longer. The Wood Protection Association has further advice on protecting timber.