The exterior is the first impression of a house. And the exterior entails the entire outside of the structure, not just the facade. If the exteriors are not impressive enough, the house will get a thumbs down by passersby’s and visitors alike no matter how well maintained and good looking the interiors are. Therefore, keeping an eye on whether your exterior paint has aged and needs redoing is very important. We spoke to Todd at Bel Air Gutter and Siding, who has immense knowledge about paint work too, to get more information on this.

The Signs

Fading Color: If the exterior paint color has faded significantly, losing its vibrancy and richness, it’s a clear indicator that it’s time for a fresh coat of paint.

Peeling or Cracking Paint: Peeling, cracking, or flaking paint is a sign that the current paint layer is failing and no longer protecting your home’s exterior surfaces.

Chalking: If you notice a powdery substance on your hand when you run it across the painted surface, it indicates that the paint is deteriorating and needs attention.

Water Damage: Water stains, mold, and mildew on the exterior walls can be signs of water infiltration, which can damage the paint and the underlying structure.

Wood Rot or Decay: If you have wooden siding or trim, signs of rot or decay indicate a need for immediate attention to prevent further damage.

Worn or Faded Areas: Areas that are exposed to high traffic, weather, or direct sunlight may wear faster. If these areas look significantly different from the rest of the exterior, it might be time for repainting.

Top Factors to Consider

Preparation: Proper preparation is crucial. This includes cleaning the surface, repairing any damage, and ensuring a smooth base for the new paint.

Color and Finish: Choose a color that complements your home’s architecture and surroundings. Consider the finish too; matte finishes hide imperfections, while glossier finishes are easier to clean.

Quality of Paint: Invest in high-quality paint. While it might be more expensive upfront, it will last longer and provide better protection against the elements.

Climate and Weather Conditions: Consider your climate. Harsh weather conditions, extreme temperatures, and high humidity can impact the durability of the paint.

Surface Material: Different materials require different paint types. For instance, wood, stucco, and metal may need specific paint formulations for optimal results.

Professional vs. DIY: Painting the exterior of a house is a significant undertaking. Depending on your skill level and the scale of the project, you might decide to hire professional painters.

Budget: Set a realistic budget that includes the cost of paint, materials, and labor (if hiring professionals). Don’t forget to include potential unforeseen expenses.

Timing: Choose a suitable time of the year for painting. Avoid extreme temperatures, high humidity, and rainy seasons.

Permits and Regulations: Some areas may have restrictions on exterior colors or may require permits for painting. Check with local authorities before starting.

Landscaping and Furniture: Consider protecting your landscaping and outdoor furniture. Cover or move them away from the painting area to prevent damage.

Curb Appeal: Remember that the exterior of your house is the first thing people see. A well-painted exterior enhances curb appeal and can increase the value of your property.

Long-Term Maintenance: Think about how easy it will be to maintain the new paint. Certain colors and finishes might require more frequent touch-ups.

Summary

Repainting the exterior of your house is an investment that not only enhances its appearance but also protects it from the elements. Regular maintenance and timely repainting can significantly extend the lifespan of your home’s exterior surfaces, keeping it looking fresh and well-maintained for years to come.

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Don’t Pick the Paint Color First!

Matching the paint with the décor of the room is one of the most important things, and for that, you should decide on other things before the paint. Planning the purpose of the room, furniture and setting is what you should do first. This will help you in picking the colors that go with the entire room. It also narrows down your choices- so this is a good place to start.

A Dash of Inspiration

Don’t rush to the store just yet- get some ideas and get inspired. Browse through the likes of Pinterest and Instagram to get a look at themes that suit what you are looking for. But it’s not just the internet- even simple things like a set of curtains that you like can help you get that inspiration for choosing the right color palette. Every room can have a story to itself, and this is where you begin to write that story.

Reality Can Often Be Different-Time to Test!

Now that, you have significantly narrowed down your choices, you can get a couple of paint testers to see how that color will look inside your home. If you already have the lighting you want in your home, then this step will get you even better ‘clarity’. Leave the test areas on for a couple of days, and see the colors at different times get an idea of what they look like in different lighting conditions.

Almost all brands have testers available at a relatively lower price, and this will help you be more confident in your choice before you buy gallons of it. Also, what you see on catalogs and the internet will often look different in real life, so testers are an absolute must before you finalize the colors.

The Ceiling

Picking the right color for your ceiling deserves its attention, for it can do a lot to the overall feel of the room. If you have a higher ceiling and want to make it visually lower, then chose a color that is comparatively darker than the surrounding walls. That doesn’t mean really dark, just a couple of shades darker. On the other hand, to expand the room, select a color that is lighter than the surrounding walls.

For those who do not want too much color and prefer a hint of simplicity, you can go with shades similar to ivory for the ceiling, door trim, and the floor moldings. Similarly, you can go for different colors depending on the mood and décor of the room. Painting a house interior does not have to be a tedious or a very expensive process. With simple steps like the ones above, you can choose the right colors, make your home just the way you like it.

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A good-looking house is your biggest investment. So, it’s not bad to spend for a fresh coat of paint for your house exterior every few years to maintain its look. However, it is not just looks. The exterior paint and caulking seals the exterior and prevents rot and water seepage. This prevents damage to the house and potentially expensive repairs.

 However, hiring a team to do a paint job may be expensive, so to save some bucks here are some tips on how to do it yourself. Just reading this will make you more knowledgeable so you can negotiate with painters better or know better how to check the job they did.

Keep in Mind Mother Nature

Understanding local weather patterns in your area is important when painting the exterior of the house. Consider painting during the dry season of the year, as paint needs to time to dry.

Inspect and Repair

Before grabbing that paintbrush and caulk gun, grab a notepad and inspect the outside of the house. List down what needs doing, and use those notes to create a plan on how to go about your painting project.

Before applying that fresh coat of paint, make sure to look for trouble spots and make necessary repairs. The first thing to do is to inspect if there are any peeling or flaking paint in the siding or trim. You can also check if there are rusted iron railings, compromised coating on painted metals, or powdery white residues on aluminum trims or sidings. These sections will be taken care of during your prep work.

If there are areas where mildew or mold has taken hold, get rid of them by scrubbing the area with a bleach solution. After scrubbing, let it sit for 10 minutes before washing away the suds and residue.

Also check for gaps in window sills and doors. Repair these gaps by applying a bead of caulk to seal them. This is important on the top and sides. In some cases, you want the bottom uncaulked so any moisture that gets in can find its way out at the bottom. But this depends on the position of the joint at the bottom. You might want to read a bit on caulking.

Last in your inspection list is checking for rotting wood on the exterior paneling of the house. Make sure to replace them before painting.

Prep work

Now that you’ve finished inspecting and made repairs, its time select your paint and prep.

Picking your primer. If you’re fresh coat of paint is of the same color as the old one, you don’t need to prime the surface. However, if you want a different color of paint, pick a primer with a vinyl sealer as the sealer will help both the primer and paint stick to the surface.

Picking your paint. You need a paint that bonds easily to rough surfaces and 100 percent acrylic latex does just that.

Considering your paint color. There might be restrictions on colors in your area so make sure you’re aware of these restrictions, if there are. When choosing a paint color for your exterior, keep in mind that vibrant colors fade faster than muted colors. Also choose a color that will complement the roofing and exterior stonework. A popular choice of color is the eggshell which goes well with any stonework or roof. You can take paint swatches and samples to see how the paint will look.

Gathering the painting tools. You can’t paint without any tools so gathering them is a timesaver. Some basic tools you need are paintbrushes, paint rollers or sprayers, painter’s tape, paint scraper, sandpaper, plastic sheeting, and drop cloths.

Scraping away flaking paint. A good surface ensures a good paint job so making the surface as smooth as possible is a must. Remove flaking or damaged paint using the paint scraper.

Smoothing out corroded metal. Using a sandpaper, smooth out corrosion on the metal surfaces. If the rust cannot be removed by sandpaper, use a rust remover.

Washing the exterior. You can make use of a power washer to wash the exterior of the house. This is done to remove any dust or flecks of old paint. If you don’t have a power washer, a good old rag and water and a bit of elbow grease would work. Or rent one from Home Depot or Lowes. Or buy one, they aren’t expensive and very useful.

Covering whatever is not to be painted. Sometimes, you just accidentally paint over those more delicate areas. To avoid this, line the trim areas like doors and window sills with painter’s tape. Using the plastic sheets, cover fixtures like outdoor lights to keep paint from splattering over them.

Let’s start painting!

You have inspected, repaired, and prepped. It’s time to paint! Most exterior paint jobs need two coats of paint. Although it may cost more, it can make your paint job last for a few years.

As mentioned earlier, you don’t need to prime the surface if you are using the same color of paint. But if you do, then paint a thin layer of primer on the exterior. Always start from top to bottom. Then, allow the primer to dry before adding another layer of paint.

When the primer has dried, you can now add the first layer. Depending on the size of your painting area, you can opt to use a paintbrush, a roller, or a sprayer. Again, paint from top to bottom. Keep the coat even by overlapping each stroke by 6 to 8 inches.

Let the first layer to dry, then add a second coat of paint. This will help make the exterior be more weather-resistant and not fade quickly. Paint from top to bottom to get a smooth coat and lessen the drips.

Now that you have painted all the big sections, it’s time for the finishing touches. Remove the painter’s tape and paint the doors, molding, fascia, and other details on the exterior. All you really need here is a good paintbrush and a steady hand. Take your time doing this part.

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