Should I spray this uPVC window frame grey?

Tali1989

I have a house with some old uPVC windows. They have this weird diamond pattern (not sure what it is or what it’s called), as shown in the pictures. I want to make the frames look more modern by spraying them grey. I think it would look good against the stone render. 

Just looking for opinions really, would it look weird if I sprayed (painted) the uPVC frame in anthracite grey?

ThisIsWeird

I think it's worth taking a few whole-house photos and putting them into a photo package, even 'Paint' will do. Use it to colour them anthra, and see what it looks like.
Put the photos on here and folk can offer opinions.
Any similarish buildings in your 'hood you can also get ideas from?
Painting them is easy - you can simply use a paint like Zinsser AllCoat, satin anthra, and apply it using a mini foam roller (confirm it'll adhere to PVC). Make sure the PVC is thoroughly clean - eg a coarse scouring pad and detergent.

XzavierWalnut

I don't have any pictures, but my sister had all her windows done in anthracite grey professionally, and they look great.

BarelySentientAI

There's a house on my street had their windows changed from white to grey.  Looks a bit funny the first time you notice, like something is different but you can't spot what, but I think it looks pretty good.



That's the 'before' - I can nip out and get an 'after' photograph if it's close enough stonework to yours to be useful for comparison.

chrisw

The problem with anthracite grey is that it dates fairly quickly. Our neighbours had it done about 4 years ago but it already looks a bit dated.

FreeBear

To get rid of the diamond patterned glass, you can simply change the sealed units (the glass) for plain ones. Probably cost less than £20 for each unit (plus fitting).

Dark colours will absorb more heat from sunshine - This will increase the amount of expansion in the frames. As for painting them grey,you do realise that a growing number of people consider it to be naff.

Tali1989

Here’s another picture (would prefer not to show more of the house), my main concern is the strange pattern in the opening pattern of the windows (OP pic) and how it would look if the frames are painted grey, any thoughts on this? 

My plan is to use a brand called WRX (https://amzn.eu/d/iFONeMu)

Anyone know if this is likely to last a long time / look good compared to having it done professionally?

Albermarle

chrisw said:

The problem with anthracite grey is that it dates fairly quickly. Our neighbours had it done about 4 years ago but it already looks a bit dated.

As grey is everywhere. Paint, flooring, kitchens, garden furniture, pubs, cars  etc etc, I think there is something of a colour backlash starting. 

Eldi_Dos

One of the benifits of your type of window is they are maintenance free, apart from cleaning windows and frames.
If you paint the window frames they will need done periodically,which will be time consuming or expensive if you get professional's  in to do it.

Tali1989

FreeBear said:

To get rid of the diamond patterned glass, you can simply change the sealed units (the glass) for plain ones. Probably cost less than £20 for each unit (plus fitting).

Dark colours will absorb more heat from sunshine - This will increase the amount of expansion in the frames. As for painting them grey,you do realise that a growing number of people consider it to be naff.

Oh right, do you know where I can buy the individual panes that cheap?

ThisIsWeird

I think the glass pattern adds a lot of interest, isn't fussy in any way, and would look equally good with anthracite.
The only Q is whether the anthracite itself would look ok. I suspect it will, but I think it needs to be tested using a photoshoppie type image.
I don't agree with some others on the grey 'trend'; houses which currently look good/best with anthracite windows will, I think, continue to suit it best. (Greys indoors is a different matter.)