9 Things To Know Before Painting Exterior Of Your St. Charles Home
Few home improvement projects can match the impact of painting your house’s exterior. It can dramatically boost curb appeal, give an old home new life, and help your house stand out in the neighborhood. But getting the job done takes planning, preparation, and plenty of time and money.
That’s why knowing how to paint a home’s exterior properly is so important before getting started. One slight misstep can cancel out thousands of dollars and tens of hours instantly.
This guide takes you through the nine essential considerations you need to make before painting your home exterior. And with it, you’ll be able to skip some serious headaches.
Table of Contents
- Choose the Perfect Time
- Pick Out the Right Color
- Find the Ideal Paint Type
- Don’t Skimp on Material Quality
- Follow Preparation Best Practices
- Take the Time to Prime
- You May Need More Than One Coat
- Be Prepared for a Time Investment
- Work with a Pro for the Best Results
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Choose the Perfect Time
For the best results, you need to find a season when rain is at an all-time low and temperatures are comfortable (not too hot or cold). For most people, that means tackling your exterior painting project in the summer.
That being said, not all locations experience summer the same way. That’s why you should follow the tips below to ensure you’re getting the best end result.
- Beware of dew, as even a bit can ruin your finish.
- Try not to paint in direct sunlight (it can prematurely cure your paint).
- Wait a full 24 hours after a storm as materials can get soaked through.
- If the surface feels even slightly wet to the touch, do not paint on it.
2. Pick Out the Right Color
Choosing the right color for your home exterior plays a big part in how successful your project is. Choose the wrong colors, and you’ve essentially wasted all the time, effort, and money you’ve sunk into the job.
That’s why you’ll want to do some research on the current exterior color trends in the industry.
Generally, you should settle on three complementary hues. One for the main siding, one for the accents (shutters, doors, etc.), and one for the trim. Steer clear of using shades that are too bold. And when in doubt, use neutral colors.
3. Find the Ideal Paint Type
You’ll want to be sure you’re only using paint that’s graded for exterior jobs. This paint type is usually much more resistant to fading and can withstand constant exposure to the elements.
You may also want to use paints with different finishes across your material types. For trim and accents, satin and semi-gloss enamels are easier to clean and more durable. For the main siding, stick with flat finishes. They tend to hide imperfections and ensure a uniform look.
4. Don’t Skimp on Material Quality
On the low-end, you can expect to pay about $20 per gallon for home exterior paint. On the high-end, it’s closer to $80.
It’s also worth mentioning that contractors can get discounts of anywhere between 25% and 50%.
Having said that, you tend to get what you pay for when it comes to paint material quality.
Higher quality primer, paint, and caulk extend the life of your painting project.
In fact, you can expect a two-fold lifespan increase with high-quality versus low-quality materials.
Better materials also improve the quality of the final product.
5. Follow Preparation Best Practices
Proper preparation can take a lot of work. And while tackling it all yourself can save on costs, many homeowners don’t have the resources, skill, and time to properly do it all themselves.
It’s just one more reason why you may want to consider hiring a local house painter to get the job done for you.
To ensure the best results possible, be sure to follow the following steps before dipping into your first can of paint.
- Pressure-wash and clean your walls to remove dirt and dust buildup.
- Repair damaged surfaces.
- Scrape surfaces to remove loose, flaky paint.
- Apply primer and paint to a small area to test for any adhesion or compatibility problems.
- Caulk trim and gaps between materials like siding and brick.
- Add an extra coat of primer to stains.
- Protect your doors, windows, and lights.
- Coat the exterior with primer.
- Fully paint exterior and trim.
6. Take the Time to Prime
Depending on the type of paint you use, you’ll want to apply one or two coats of primer before applying your paint. You’ll also want to take the substrate into consideration. More porous materials like untreated wood need a thicker layer of primer to ensure the best results.
You may also want to purchase paint that has a built-in primer. This will cut down on your labor but will likely be more expensive per gallon. For primer, wait at least one hour. For flat or matte paint, plan for one to two hours. And for semi-gloss, aim for at least two hours.
7. You May Need More Than One Coat
While you might be tempted to cut down on costs by using just a single coat, you’ll likely need more than one to achieve the desired effect. Be sure to build that extra investment into your final costs.
You should also make sure you’re waiting the appropriate amount of time before applying the second coat.
8. Be Prepared for an Investment
Painting your home’s exterior is no small task. And you should be prepared to spend quite a bit of time and money throughout the project.
As far as time goes, painting the exterior of a home can take about 120 man-hours. As you can see, you should plan to spend at least several weekends tackling this home improvement project on your own.
So, how much does it cost to paint a house?
According to HomeAdvisor, the average homeowner can expect to spend anywhere from $720 to $1,680 on paint costs alone. On top of that, there’s the cost of rollers, brushes, drop cloths, paint trays, tape, scrapers, and more.
If you plan on hiring a professional, expect to pay around $3,000+ total. But it’s well worth the investment to have your home’s exterior painted by local painting contractors.
In this business, you 100% get what you pay for.
9. Work with a Pro for the Best Results
The only way to get the best possible finish every time is by working with a professional.
With a professional home painter, you can avoid all the hassle and time required to finish the job yourself. On top of that, they’ll have better equipment, more experience, proven techniques, and plenty of insight to make sure your project runs smoothly.
And be sure to avoid making the biggest mistakes when hiring a painting contractor. With the right contractor, your exterior home painting project will be a breeze. With the wrong one, it could turn out to be a nightmare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked homeowners have on how to paint the exterior of a home.
How Do I Prepare the Exterior of My House for Painting?
Preparing your home for painting can actually be one of the most time-intensive parts. But it’s also absolutely essential for a high-quality final result.
The best way to prepare the exterior of your house for painting is to follow the steps below:
- Pressure-wash and clean your walls to remove dirt and dust buildup.
- Repair damaged surfaces.
- Scrape surfaces to remove loose, flaky paint.
- Apply primer and paint to a small area to test for any adhesion or compatibility problems.
- Caulk trim and gaps between materials like siding and brick.
- Add an extra coat of primer to stains.
- Protect your doors, windows, and lights.
- Coat the exterior with primer.
- Fully paint exterior and trim.
For more information on how to prepare your home before dipping into the paint, have a look at the how-to guide from Sherwin-Williams.
When Should You Not Paint the Outside of a House?
As a rule of thumb, never paint when there’s a threat of moisture.
Whether rain, snow, humidity, or dew, any moisture on the paint can lead to a disastrous finish. That’s why most professional painters choose to tackle jobs in early summer—it can often be the driest time of year. Early fall may be a good choice too.
You’ll also want to watch out for high-temperature variability. If your days see temperatures of 105 degrees Fahrenheit and your nights drop down to 45 degrees, your paint may have a hard time drying.
Finally, painting in extreme temperatures is a no-no. In high heat, your paint will cure prematurely. In low ones, it may not dry at all.
What Are the Best Conditions for Painting Outside?
The best conditions for painting outside are on days with:
- Moderate temperatures to ensure proper drying and curing
- Low humidity
- No dew
- Minimal chance of rain
- Indirect sunlight
For these reasons, it’s best to aim for early summer or early fall.
How Do I Find the Best Exterior House Painters Near St. Charles?
As you can see, there’s plenty to know about how to paint a home’s exterior. Choosing the right paints, deciding on a color, properly preparing your home, and skillfully applying the paint—it all takes time, skill, and resources. For many homeowners, the job is too big to take on themselves.
That’s where HBP Painting Contractors comes in.
For over three decades, HBP has provided quality exterior painting services to the St. Charles area.
We’re proud to employ only the area’s most skilled and experienced paint technicians. Plus, we never subcontract our jobs to other technicians. That way, we can ensure the best results from start to finish.
We proudly use only the best Sherwin-Williams products and follow a proven 6-step quality assurance process. The result is a beautiful finish, exceptional workmanship, and superior durability to last for years.
Our dedication to outstanding workmanship and service is why we’ve earned 5 out of 5 stars on Google, Facebook, and the Better Business Bureau.
So, if you’re looking for exterior house painters near St. Charles to get the job done right the first time, we’d love to help.
Get in touch today for your free consultation and estimate.
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