Did you know that the right paint can protect your home from rain, snow, and ice, and increase the value of your home? Painting the exterior of your home can make an incredible difference in appearance, too. The downside? There are several areas where exterior painting can go wrong. Keep these things in mind to avoid the most common mistakes of exterior residential painting.
Weather Matters
When it comes to painting, weather is no longer an overused topic people throw around in a desperate attempt to make conversation. In fact, the weather can impact nearly every step of your painting process. For example, you should always paint in shady areas, or even choose an overcast day for exterior painting. Direct sun can cause paint to dry too quickly, which leads to blistering and flaking. You should also carefully read the label on all paint. Most paint can only be applied in certain temperatures, typically temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on the particular brand and consistency, however, it may vary. Some paints are specially designed for cold temperatures, and can be applied at temperatures as low as 35 degrees.
Pick Water-Based Latex or Oil-Based Alkyd
All paint is not created equal. Exterior house paint comes in two varieties, water-based latex and oil-based alkyd. Latex paint can be cleaned easily. Most types can be washed up with water and soap. Latex paint gives off little to no odor, dries quickly, and it retains its flexibility, so it can stretch and last longer. Alkyd, on the other hand, can smell and take longer to dry. It is usually the preferred paint of home painting services, however, because it does not stain, it lasts, and it is much smoother than water-based paint.
Express Yourself
The next step, really, is to have fun. Exterior residential painting can say something about you, or simply make your home look sharper. Consider painting the curb, too, to help revamp old walkways. For pools, fountains, and other outdoor areas, you may want to consider relatively new metallic paint. You can choose a seaside theme, selecting variations of yellows and browns, or choose from grays and greens for a more traditionally themed home.
Exterior residential painting can protect your home, increase its value, and serve as an expression of your personality. Always paint in relatively warm temperatures, but out of the sun, choose between popular water-based latex and oil-based alkyd paints, and pick from different color schemes and paints to bring out the real you.
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