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Experts say autumn is fine time to paint your home’s exterior, but do your homework!
A fresh coat of paint on a home’s exterior can give a property a vibrant new look. Whether you decide to go with a bold new color or repaint a house in an existing color, new paint can add life to your home.
Summer has long been considered the ideal season to paint home exteriors, but advancements in technology have made it easier to paint home exteriors later in the year. According to paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams, traditional latex-based paints need temperatures above 60 F to cure properly. One of the more common mistakes homeowners make when painting their homes’ exteriors is to paint during times of the year when temperatures fluctuate greatly between the days and nights. When nighttime temperatures dip considerably lower than they were in the afternoon, dew will form and the paint can stop coalescing. When that happens, moisture gets into the uncured paint and surface staining and adhesion problems may result. So even if the temperature is a comfortable 60 F during the day, avoid painting if the nighttime temperatures figure to drop considerably.
In addition to choosing the right time of year to paint, consider the following painting pointers to ensure your home’s exterior gets the fresh look you are aiming for.
Monitor weather reports. It’s not just the temperature at night after you paint that should be monitored. The temperature should be in the suggested range and above the dew point for at least 48 hours after application so the paint film can form properly. So applying a fresh coat of paint on a beautiful autumn Saturday is not ideal if Sunday figures to bring the first hints of winter.
Don’t skimp on quality. Some paints are cost more than others, and homeowners working on a budget may be tempted to choose the least expensive option available. While price and quality are two different things, it’s important that homeowners avoid choosing a paint solely because it is the least expensive option. Research paints before buying a particular one, emphasizing quality over cost. Today’s paints last longer than the paints of yesteryear, so you likely won’t need to paint again for a long time. Budget-friendly, low-quality paint will not only make your home less appealing, but you’ll likely need to paint again sooner than with a higher quality.
Don’t paint to cover up a problem. Rotting wood or siding is unsightly, and some homeowners think paint can cover up such a problem. But paint will not stick to rotten wood and siding, and the problem will still be noticeable after you paint. A fresh coat of paint is not the solution to rotten wood or siding. Consult a professional contractor if your home is experiencing such a problem.
A fresh coat of paint on your home’s exterior can be a great way to improve your home’s curb appeal. But it’s important homeowners follow some of the same rules the pros adhere to when painting the exteriors of their homes.
