Exterior House Painting Guide

If the paint on the outside of your home is chipping, it’s been several years since your home was last painted, or you want to freshen up your home’s look with a new paint color, you may be looking into your options for exterior home painting.

How you approach your exterior painting project can significantly affect the final look. Factors such as the time of year you decide to hire a painting service and whether you clean your home’s exterior first can impact the outcome. Learn more in this home exterior painting guide.

The Best Time to Have the Exterior of Your House Painted

The ideal time to have professionals paint your home’s exterior is during the dry season when the weather is warm but not too hot. You’ll want to avoid having someone paint during the rainy season or amid extreme temperatures, such as in the dead of winter or the peak of summer.

Generally, the best time to have professionals paint your house exterior is during the late spring or early fall when temperatures are moderate and rainfall is minimal. Warm temperatures allow the paint to dry and cure properly, providing the best results.

When Not to Paint

Painting during wet or cold conditions can cause the paint to not properly adhere to the surface, resulting in an uneven finish that can peel or bubble over time. Painting in scorching weather can cause the paint to dry too quickly, creating an uneven finish.

If the surface is dirty, greasy or has mildew, you’ll need to clean it before the professionals arrive to paint. Otherwise, the paint won’t properly adhere to the surface and won’t last as long. Another time to stop is if the surface is damaged or has cracks. It’s best to fix those issues first. Make sure to repair any damage or have professionals repair the damage before scheduling a painting.

Although getting your home painted is exciting, there’s no need to rush the process. For the best results, try to prep your home and wait for the best season before scheduling your painting services.

Painting professionals like Shoreline Painting get the job done right. Our painters take time to prep and only paint during optimal weather conditions.

Spray Paint vs. Paint Rollers

Spray painting and painting with a roller offer different advantages for a home’s exterior. Spray painting can be quicker, as it covers large areas quickly and easily. However, it also requires more equipment and accessories, while painting with a roller only requires the paint roller and tray. Let’s look into more benefits of each style of painting:

Advantages of Spray Paint

We have already mentioned that spray painting can be faster. Here are other advantages:

• Smooth finish: Spray paint creates a smooth and even finish. It is particularly useful for modern homes that feature clean lines and flat surfaces.
• Conserves paint: Spray painting often uses less paint than rolling or brushing, as the paint is evenly applied without excess dripping or splattering.
• Versatile: Spray paint can be effective on various surfaces, including wood, stucco, brick and metal.
• Professional-looking finish: Spray paint creates a high-quality finish, especially when applied by an experienced painter with the right equipment and skills.

Advantages of Paint Rollers

Using paint rollers is the traditional method of outdoor house painting. Professional painters often use paint rollers, as spray painting may not provide the best results in certain areas or situations. For example, if your house is close to your neighbors, spray painting may not be the ideal choice. Here are some advantages of having professionals paint the outside of your house with paint rollers:

• Better for textured surfaces: This method is better for textured surfaces, as it allows the paint to fill in the crevices and create a more even finish.
• Control: Using a paint roller offers more control over the paint application. Painters can control the amount of pressure and coverage.
• Easy to touch up: This method makes the paint easy to touch up. Painters can reapply paint to the affected area easily.

Washing Your Home Before Painting

You can definitely wash your house before painting it. Cleaning the exterior of your house before painting is a great exterior painting tip. Here’s why:

• Better paint adhesion: Washing your house before receiving paint services helps remove dirt, dust and other contaminants that can interfere with the paint’s ability to adhere to the surface. This will help the new paint last longer and look better.
• Cleaner surface: Washing your house before painting removes unsightly stains, mildew and other discolorations that can detract from the appearance of your home.
• Prevents future problems: Painting over a dirty or contaminated surface can lead to issues such as peeling or flaking paint.
• Easier prep work: Washing your house before a professional comes to paint can make prep work more manageable, as it can remove loose paint and make it easier to spot any areas that need repair.

Number of Coats

When it comes to painting the exterior of the house, the number of necessary coats varies depending on:

• The condition of the surface: One coat may be sufficient if the surface is in good condition and has no major flaws or discolorations. However, if the surface is damaged, has a lot of chalking or has been previously painted with a darker color, multiple coats may be needed.
• The color and type of paint: Darker colors and certain types of paint may require more coats than lighter colors.
• The quality of the paint: Higher-quality paints may require fewer coats, as they tend to have better coverage and adhesion.

In general, most exterior paint jobs will require at least two coats of paint. This allows for better coverage and added durability and protection against the elements. Some painters may even recommend applying a third coat in certain situations.

It’s always best to consult a professional painter for exterior home paint services. They can help ensure your new paint is long-lasting and beautiful.

Quality Exterior House Painting Services From Shoreline Painting