The Perfect Time To Paint Your Home’s Exterior
Autumn is upon us. The temperature has dropped and we’re getting ready for the colder months ahead. Now is the perfect time to paint your house. Fall and early summer are the best times to paint due to moderate temperatures. The cooler weather is easier on the painters you hire, and the paint will adhere to your house and dry better as well. The ideal temperature range for exterior painting is from 50° to 85° Fahrenheit.
- Spring tends to be a rainy season and you can’t paint when the house is wet. You also need to check the humidity because high humidity can cause problems with proper paint application.
- Early Summer has ideal temperature and weather conditions. Low temperature and low humidity ensure the paint will go on smoothly and has the chance to dry and cure properly.
- Middle to late Summer is too hot to paint. It’s not only uncomfortable and dangerous for your painters but it also affects the paint. Extreme heat could cause the paint to dry too quickly and ruin the finish.
- Autumn, like early Summer, is ideal in temperature and humidity levels. Paint will dry better when it isn’t overly humid.
- Winter is too cold for the painters and the paint won’t adhere very well to the surface, which will cause cracking and peeling.
Following these seasonal recommendations will probably lead to perfect home exterior painting conditions. These are general rules that may change depending on where you live within the United States. You know your environment better than anyone else but if you’re unsure about weather conditions then it’s best to ask an expert. Alamo City Handymen is accustomed to the weather in San Antonio and will help you schedule an ideal day for exterior painting.
Do I Need To Paint My House?
Painting the exterior of your house is more than just pleasing aesthetics. Of course a fresh coat of paint will spruce up your house and drive up its value and curb appeal; but it’s also functional. Think of paint as a layer of skin for your home. It’s a shield that helps protect your house. Paint prevents moisture from getting into the wood of your home. Moisture can rot wood and cause severe damage if not tended to immediately. Your home is vulnerable to moisture if the paint on your home is chipping and peeling away. The painters will also be able to see any gaps or cracked caulking around windows and doors as they paint your house. Have them remove any old caulking and apply new caulking where need be. This will keep moisture away as well as block off any areas where drafts may come in.
You need to repaint your house depending on the last time it was painted even if it isn’t chipping away. An exterior paint job will last about 5 to 10 years. The paint will wear down due to weather conditions such as direct sunlight, rain, and hail damage. The sun’s ultraviolet light (UV Rays) breaks down exterior paint over time and causes it to fade or become chalky as the paint binders and pigments break down. People usually think of hail damage on their roof and windows but it affects your paint job as well. Large enough hail can hit your house so hard that it’ll chip the paint and leave the wood underneath exposed. That wood exposure is now vulnerable to rain and moisture which can cause rot.
Exterior Painting Process
What to expect when having your house painted depends on the condition of the old paint job. First of all, your house will be pressure washed to remove any dirt and debris. You want a clean surface for painting. Next, your entire house or small areas of it will need to be scraped down depending on how much flaking and chipping there is. Removing loose paint will allow new paint to go on smoother. The painters will also sand your house down to create a “toothy” surface for the new paint to better adhere to. Another thing to consider is what kind of paint is currently on your house. You may have lead paint on your house if it was built before 1978. The painters will identify if it is lead based and decide the best way to handle it. Lead paint may need to be completely removed if it is in poor condition and flaking away. If the lead paint is in good condition, then it’s okay to paint over it. The new coat of paint will act as a barrier to the toxins in the lead paint.
After scraping and sanding has been done, now would be a good time to repair any damage and re-caulk window frames and door frames that need it. We will finally start painting once all the prep work is finished and drop cloths have been laid out. The painting timeframe depends on the size of your house, how many coats will be applied, and how much trim work needs to be painted. Our painters at Alamo City Handymen can give you a basic timeframe when we inspect your home and give you a quote.
The color of paint you decide on is completely up to you. Something to consider is what do the houses around you look like. You don’t have to look exactly like them but you also don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb; especially if you’re thinking of selling your home. Light colors are usually the best way to go and they won’t fade as fast as dark colors. You can choose a light color for the main part of the house and then pick a vibrant color for the trim. We recommend picking up several color samples and mix and match what works best.
Here Are Some Of The Top Colors For The Main Part Of The Exterior Of Your House
- White
- Gray
- Warm Blue Gray
- Natural Sage Green
- Cool Mint Green
- Butter Yellow
- Classic Colonial Blue
- Modest Taupe
Bolder Colors For The Trim
- Barn Red
- Warm Brown
- Dramatic Black
- Olive Green
- Navy Blue
- Turquoise
Call and schedule an appointment with Alamo City Handymen to have your home’s exterior painted. No job is too small or too big.
