Painting Shutters

LESLIE: Now we’re going to talk to Helen who has a painting question. What can we do for you today?

HELEN: Needs repainting and the painter seems quite reluctant to do it because he claims that they won’t be moving; they won’t be movable after they’re painted.

TOM: Well, that’s not true. If they’re painted correctly they would be and if they are movable shutters, they’re hinged shutters, you know what the most important part of that shutter is to paint? The backside, because that’s where it’s going to rot and if you ignore painting the backside they’ll start to rot from the back forward and they’re not going to be movable very much longer after that.

LESLIE: And you would want to remove them from the home for painting in the first place, correct?

TOM: Or certainly if they’re on hinges …

LESLIE: Open them out.

TOM: … open them out – that’s right – so you can paint the back and the front. That’s silly. I mean you definitely can paint the shutters if they’re done correctly. It sounds like you’ve got a painter who just doesn’t want to do the job. (Leslie chuckles)

HELEN: They’re indoor shutters; not outdoor.

TOM: Oh, indoor shutters?

HELEN: Yes.

TOM: What are they shuttering if they’re indoor shutters?

HELEN: Windows.

LESLIE: They’re like decorative like plantation shutters.

TOM: Oh, you mean decorative shutters?

HELEN: Yes.

TOM: OK. Well, OK. You still can paint them. I don’t see why not. I’ll tell you what. If he’s concerned about it he could take the hinges off and then put them all back on.

HELEN: Would spraying be a better idea?

TOM: No, not necessarily. I mean either way is fine. But they certainly can be painted.

LESLIE: I mean are they plastic or are they wood?

HELEN: Wood.

LESLIE: Then there should be no issues.

TOM: I see no reason you can’t do that, Helen.

HELEN: Thank you so much.

TOM: You’re welcome. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.