PAINTING YOUR HOME

When & How To Paint Your House Exterior

There’s something about a new season that calls for change. Whether that’s switching up the decor in your house or a new haircut, there’s no denying change is good. If you’re looking to make a big change to your home, why not give it a new coat of paint?

Painting your home a fresh new colour is a great way to add value and curb appeal. Painting is also inexpensive compared completely redoing the siding and also helps protect against harsh Canadian weather.

Before you start picking out paint colours, there are two questions to consider, when and how do you paint the entire exterior of a house?

Timing is everything when it comes to painting the outside of your home. Unlike the inside of your home, you have to consider the weather before you put brush to house. Late spring and summer are the best and most common times to paint. Depending on where you live and what the climate is like, you may be able to paint as late as the fall.

Ideally, you want to paint your home when you know the temperature is going to stay relatively consistent for a few days. If low temperatures and rain are happening one day, followed by a heat wave the next, wait for the temperate to even out before starting this project. Also consider drastic changes in temperature throughout the day and night. If you know it’s going to be particularly hot in the day time but drop significantly at night, hold off for more consistent temperatures.

Spring can be a rainy season, so it’s important to find a few days that are going to be dry. Paint should not be applied to a wet or damp surface, and doing so can result in an uneven paint job and flaking paint. If your surface feels dry to the touch after a heavy rainfall, wait at least one day before starting to paint as there could be moisture inside materials like wood.

As always, finding a reputable contractor you feel you can trust is how you should start your project. Be sure to read reviews, get references, and speak to multiple contractors before hiring. Now that you’ve read this article, you know not to book a paint job for the middle of winter during a snow storm. If a company you’re considering says it’s no problem, they’re probably not the right ones for the job. Look for a company that wants to do a great job the right way, not an okay job right away.

Once you’ve found the right company, make sure the house is prepared for the new paint. If you’re painting a home with wood siding, be sure the house has been patched and sealed. While paint can fill small holes, if there are large imperfections in the wood, these will show through the paint. Be sure the surface is smooth and free of large gaps.

Next, you’ll want to make sure you home has been scrapped free of all the old paint. No matter the material of your home, give it a thorough power washing to remove loose paint or debris. After that, you can scrape away any remaining paint. Having a clean and dry surface is essential to ensure the paint adheres to the surface of your home. Paint will not stick to a dirty or wet house, so be sure your home is clean and dry for the best results.

Once your home is prepped and dry, now is the time to choose a colour. This is really up to you and your personal preference, but there are some questions you should ask yourself. Is this paint job for you or for potential buyers? If you’re planning on painting your home to later sell it, consider going neutral to attract a wider variety of buyers. If the colour is for you and you’re planning to stay in your newly painted home for years to come, it’s nice to think of your neighbours and the colours of their homes. Will the colour you choose blend nicely into the neighbourhood or will it be an eyesore? While we’re all for expressing your personal style, you don’t want to become “that” house on the block that is a real eyesore.