If you’re planning on painting the exterior of your house, you’ll want to make sure you do it right. After all, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for boosting curb appeal. Not to mention, it can also help protect your home from the elements.
Before you break out the ladder and paintbrush, take a look at our comprehensive guide to painting the exterior of your home. We’ll walk you through everything from choosing the right paint color to prepping your surface and applying the paint.
Picking the Perfect Paint Color
One of the most fun parts of painting the exterior of your home is choosing the color scheme. Of course, it can also be one of the most challenging parts with so many options. If unsure where to start, consider taking a cue from nature. After all, there’s no better source of inspiration than mother nature herself!
Take a look around your neighborhood or go to a nearby park and pay attention to the colors you see. Are there any that stand out to you? Once you’ve narrowed your options, head to your local hardware store and pick up some sample cans. Paint a few swatches on an inconspicuous area of your house and take a step back to see how they look in natural light.
Don’t forget you’ll want to consider more than aesthetics when picking paint colors. You’ll also want to think about energy efficiency and whether or not the color will fade over time. Darker colors absorb more heat, leading to higher energy bills in the summer months. Lighter colors may require more frequent touch-ups, but they can help keep your home cooler in the summertime.
Prepping Your Surface
Once you’ve chosen the perfect color scheme, it’s time to start prepping your surface. This part is crucial because it will determine how well and how long your paint job lasts. First things first, give your house a good power washing. This will remove any surface dirt or debris accumulating over time. Let the surface completely dry before moving on to the next step!
Next, use a putty knife or other sharp object to scrape away any peeling paint or chipped areas. Once you’ve addressed all those problem areas, sand down rough edges so they’re smooth before adding a fresh coat of paint. For giant jobs, you may consider hiring a professional painter with experience prepping surfaces for painting. Trust us; it’s worth every penny!
Applying The Paint
Now for the fun part, painting! But before we get started, we need to go over a few things, such as what type of paintbrush or roller you’ll need and how much paint you should buy. Again, this will all depend on the size and scope of your project, but we’ll give you some general guidelines to get started.
We recommend using synthetic bristles instead of natural ones for paintbrushes because they’re less likely to shed during use. When buying rollers, opt for ones with thicker naps—this will help ensure even coverage with fewer strokes. As for how much paint to buy, a good rule of thumb is one gallon per 400 square feet but be sure to overestimate rather than underestimate, just in case.
Painting techniques – Rolling, Brushing, Spraying.
When painting the exterior of your home, you’ll generally have three different methods to choose from: rolling, brushing or spraying.
Rolling is the most popular method because it’s relatively easy and requires no special equipment. All you need is a paint roller and extension pole, and you’re good to go. Be sure to reload your roller regularly to avoid any lines or streaks in your final product.
Brushing is similar to rolling, except, you guessed it, you’ll use a paintbrush instead of a roller. This method is best reserved for smaller jobs or areas difficult to reach with a roller.
Spraying is generally the quickest and most efficient method, but it does require special equipment, such as an airless paint sprayer. This method is perfect for large jobs or surfaces with many nooks and crannies.
Tips for Keeping Your Home Exterior Looking Good for Years
Once you’ve completed your painting project, it’s essential to take some steps to ensure that your new paint job lasts for years to come.
First things first, invest in a good quality primer and paint. This may cost a little bit more upfront, but it will save you money in the long run because you won’t have to repaint as often.
When storing any leftover paint, keep it in a cool and dry place. And if you’re not planning on using it anytime soon, consider donating it to a local school or community center.
Finally, touch up any areas that start to show wear and tear sooner than others. This will help maintain an overall polished look for your home.
Conclusion:
Now that we’ve gone over everything from choosing the suitable color scheme to applying the paint, you should have all the information you need to get started on painting the exterior of your home. Just remember to take things slow and steady; before long, you’ll have a freshly painted house ready for its close-up!
