Home › Projects › Brick two-story front entry: rotted trim repaired, trim painted white, red door painted black
Exterior Trim Repair · Apr 2019
Brick two-story front entry: rotted trim repaired, trim painted white, red door painted black
Brick two-story front entry: rotted trim repaired, trim painted white, red door painted black. These are before, in-progress and after photos from the job, taken Apr 2019. This exterior trim repair project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Two-Story Brick Front Entry With Rotted Trim Repaired, Trim Painted White and Door Painted Black
This brick home has a tall two-story front entry with an arched window above a raised panel, a transom, two narrow sidelights and a front door. Before the work, the door was red, and the white trim showed real wear up close. The sill under the upper window had split, with old caulk cracked and pulling away along its full length. The mitered corners on the raised panel had opened, showing bare wood at the joints. A long gap ran down the casing beside one sidelight, and the joint around the arched window head was dark and open. A tall telescoping ladder reaches the top of the entry in several photos. The in-progress shot shows the door already painted black, with drop cloths and a step ladder on the stoop. In the after photos, the trim is a smooth, bright white with tight joints and fresh caulk lines at the brick. The door is a deep black above its brass kick plate.
How We Repaired and Painted This Two-Story Entry, Step by Step
- We set a tall telescoping ladder and a step ladder on the stoop, and covered the steps and plantings with drop cloths before starting.
- We inspected every piece of trim up close, marking the split sill, open miter joints, failed caulk and soft spots around the arched window head.
- We removed loose caulk and damaged wood, then repaired or replaced the rotted sections so the trim was solid before any paint went on.
- We sanded the repairs flush, filled small cracks, and spot primed bare wood with an exterior primer to seal it from moisture.
- We caulked the miter joints, the seam along the sidelight casing and the gap where trim meets brick, keeping each bead neat and continuous.
- We painted the full entry trim, raised panel, transom frame and sidelights with two coats of exterior white for a clean, even finish.
- We painted the front door black, protected the brass kick plate and hardware, and cleaned up so the entry looked finished from the street.
Paint Colors Similar to This White Trim and Black Front Door
These are similar colors to consider for a brick entry with white trim and a dark door. They are not the exact colors used on this home.
Sherwin-Williams High Reflective White SW 7757
A very bright white close to this trim. It gives a crisp outline around arched windows and sidelights against red brick.
Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black SW 6258
A true black similar to this front door. It pairs well with a brass kick plate, white sidelights and black shutters.
Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn SW 7674
A deep charcoal for owners who want a dark door that is a bit softer than black. It still contrasts well with white trim.
Questions About Repairing Rotted Exterior Trim Before Painting
Can rotted trim be repaired, or does it need to be replaced?
It depends on how far the rot goes. Small soft spots can often be cut out and filled with an exterior wood repair product. Larger areas, like a fully split sill, are usually replaced with new material. Either way, the repair should be sealed and primed before paint, or water will find its way back in.
Why does trim around doors and windows rot first?
Sills, miter joints and the bottoms of casings collect water. When caulk cracks or paint fails, moisture soaks into the wood and stays there. Over time, the wood softens and splits. Keeping joints caulked and paint in good shape is the best way to slow this down.
How do painters reach a tall two-story entry safely?
Painters use tall extension or telescoping ladders set on firm, level ground, sometimes with stabilizers that keep the ladder off the trim. For larger jobs, scaffolding may be used. Working from a stable setup lets the crew repair, caulk and paint high trim carefully instead of rushing.
Get a Free Estimate for a Project Like This
We’re not just a painting company. We’re your personal painter.