Refreshing your home’s exterior with a new coat of paint can add curb appeal and protect it from rot, mildew and other problems. However, it can be an expensive project.
The amount of work a house painting job requires will determine how much it costs. For example, a multistory house will require more work because painters need to use ladders or scaffolding.
Preparation
Whether your home needs protection against mildew or just a facelift, high-quality exterior paints can help. However, the success of a paint job is largely dependent on the proper preparation of surfaces. A poor preparation process can cause the new paint to chip, peel, or crack. In order to get the most out of your exterior paint job, it is best to hire a professional House Painting Exterior Coating.
Surface prep is an important step in the exterior painting process because it ensures that the new coat of paint adheres properly to the surface. Dirty walls can prevent fresh paint from adhering, and a buildup of oil and mildew can create discoloration. If your home was built before 1978, you should use a kit to test for lead paint; if found, it must be removed by a certified lead-abatement contractor.
Using a power washer to clean the surface is an effective way to remove loose paint and dirt, but it is also necessary to scrub and sand surfaces to ensure they are smooth. It is best to do this work in dry weather as humidity and rain can affect how well the paint dries.
Paint Selection
A fresh coat of exterior paint can dramatically alter your home’s appearance. However, it’s important to select the right color and a quality product that will last. If you choose a low-quality paint, it will fade and peel quickly. High-quality paints, on the other hand, will last for years and protect your home from sun, wind, and rain.
Many hardware stores advertise exterior paints that can be used on a variety of surfaces. But these products are a “jack of all trades” and not a “master of any.” Instead, look for an oil-based or alkyd-based exterior paint with high mildew and fade resistance.
You can find a wide range of exterior paint colors at local hardware stores or online. Use a paint-company color selector to narrow down your choices, then test them on 2-by-2-foot medium-density fiberboard panels before investing in gallons. Darker hues work well on foundations and lower stories to ground a house, while lighter shades of gray or white draw the eye upward and complement your roof’s shaded eaves.
Painting
A proper paint job does more than make a house look good – it protects it. A well-done coat of exterior paint will place a preventative barrier against wind and water, which could otherwise damage the walls.
A good exterior paint can withstand mildew, humidity and UV radiation. It’s usually made with a mix of pigments (powdered minerals and man-made colors), binders and additives to control dry time, color retention and surface smoothness.
The type of paint used also makes a difference. Darker hues require more coats and tend to fade sooner, while lighter colors cost less and stay fresh longer.
You can apply the paint with a brush, roller or a sprayer, depending on the amount of detail and coverage you want. Items that won’t be painted, such as gutters and drainpipes and doors and windows, should be wrapped in plastic or masked off. It’s recommended that you use a ladder with solid support or, for multistory houses, a scaffolding system.
Finishing
Many people are comfortable with painting walls and rooms inside their homes, but exterior house painting is a much bigger project that requires special tools, equipment and scaffolding for larger jobs. A professional decorator can handle this job safely and efficiently to help you refresh the appearance of your home.
If you’re not satisfied with your current color, a fresh coat of paint can transform your house and make it look newer and more appealing. However, it’s important to consider your neighborhood and home styles before choosing a color scheme. Look around and ask neighbors what they’ve chosen.
It’s also important to sand the walls before applying any paint. This process creates a mechanical bond between the old and new paint, and helps ensure that the next coat will adhere properly. Some surfaces like brick do not need sanding, but most wood will require it to avoid peeling. Once the walls are sanded, you can apply two finish coats.