The "colour of windows" in Charlbury - what is it called?

Fri 31 Oct 2008, 19:38

OK, looks like what is most recommended (reading between the lines a bit) is Burford Green. However, economically, uPVC is far and away the cheapest option for replacement sets of which we have to do some, and simply cannot afford 4x the price for wooden joinery.

I wonder if there is any option to (a) find a "broken white" uPVC frame, or whether a foil top coating of some sort can be applied in Burford Green as most manufacturers supply mahogany or teak as optional colours on top of uPVC in this way?

Or indeed, if there is a viable primer for uPVC that would then allow an ordinary paint (probably a matt or satin finish being most appropriate rather than a high gloss) to then be applied as the final coats? Anyone successfully painted a uPVC set? The problem with uPVC is that, despite its claims to ultra violet resistance, it goes yellowish with age after a decade, and the gloss surface corrodes into a yucky dirt collecting material which gives the yellow tinge a heightening of dirty grey.

Well, here's the list and I suppose the numbers are some British Standard identification for pigmentation:

Paint colours for traditional contexts

Joinery, gutters and downpipes
08 C 35 Buff
08 C 37 Fawn
12 B 17 Willow, `Burford Green'

Doors
Greens:
14 C 40 Conifer, `Trust Green'
14 C 39 Hollybush
16 D 45 Scarab, Peacock
12 C 39 Orchard
10 B 17 Mistletoe
12 B 17 Willow, `Burford Green'
12 B 21 Moorland
12 B 25 Chive
12 B 29 Juniper

Reds:
04 D 45 Monarch
02 C 39 Plum
02 C 40 Loganberry

Blue:
20 C 40 Midnight, Oxford

Blues, blacks, browns, greys, buffs and `broken'
whites can all be used with confidence, in particular:
08 B 15 Magnolia
08 B 17 Sandstone
08 B 21 Antelope
08 B 25 Beaver
10 B 17 Mistletoe
10 B 21 Lizard
10 B 25 Turtle
10 B 29 Ironstone
16 C 37 Caspian

Windows
Whites - `broken' or `creamy' whites, `lime white' or
`old white.' (Brilliant white is not recommended).
08 B 15 Magnolia
08 C 31 Ecru
10 B 15 Ivory
10 C 31 Champagne
12 B 15 Almond
12 B 17 Willow, `Burford Green'
10 B 17 Mistletoe

Traditional finishes

In West Oxfordshire, traditional finishes for external timber fall into three general categories:
1. Paint Finishes - on softwood and hardwood doors, windows and door frames from the 18th century and later.
2. Pitch and Tar Finishes - weatherproofing with a dull black appearance, mainly on frames and boarded surfaces of agricultural buildings.
3. Natural `bleached' surfaces - Weathered patina of grey or silver on oak, elm and chestnut.

Compatible modern finishes

Where finishes for modern work are required to match existing work in, for example, Conservation Areas; or where alterations to existing traditional buildings are to take place the following approaches are recommended:
Paintwork - white/ off-white or other pale colour. `Burford Green' (BS 12 B 17 or similar). There are specific guidelines for Great Tew and informal
guidelines for Burford. For front doors and shopfronts, dark primary colours are recommended.

Dark Finishes - (to match the `pitch/ tar' tradition), `Ebony' stains such as those by Dulux, Jotun or Sigma. Light Finishes - (to match `bleached' timber tradition), `Light Grey' (Ref. 625 by Jotun), or a light wash of black external stain diluted with white spirit, to give a pale grey colour.

The above recommendations are not exhaustive and suitable alternatives exist. However, there is NO traditional precedent for the use of modern red/brown stains widely available in DIY superstores. Their appearance is quite unlike anything known in the traditional palette. These materials are not suitable for
use on traditional buildings or in Conservation Areas unless part of an approved design approach.