Exterior Painting - Tips for Painting Your Home's Exterior

Because of weather conditions and pollution, exterior paint tends to peel, flake and fade. Paint damage can make the exterior of your house look old and rundown. Fortunately, a fresh coat of paint can change everything. Painting your home's exterior can be a difficult and sometimes costly home improvement project, but can greatly increase the value (as well as improve the looks) of your property.

Hiring a Painter vs. Doing It Yourself

Professional house painters can be quite expensive, but if you don't have the time or the ability to do it yourself, they may be your only option. Rather than hiring a painter straight out of the yellow pages, take time to ask friends, family and neighbors for references. You will want to make sure that you find a painter who is both affordable and trustworthy.

If you decide to do the project yourself, you will probably save hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars in labor costs. You will also save money on the paint. Unfortunately, some of the money that you save will have to go to supplies. In addition to buying paint, you will also need to acquire paint applicators, a ladder and other general painting supplies.

Surface Preparation

To make sure your exterior paint job looks good, you will need to prepare the surface of your house prior to painting. It is important to remove as much of the peeling paint and debris from the surface as you possibly can. Loose paint can be removed with paint scrapers, putty knives, wire brushes and sand paper. To wash away any dirt or debris that has accumulated on the house, use a garden hose or a pressure washer. After the surface of the house is clean and dry, you may want to consider applying a thin coat of primer. Most exterior paint adheres better to surfaces that have been coated with primer.

Choosing Exterior Paint

Do not buy cheap paint as it will end up costing you more than you save in the long run. Buy a high quality paint that is made specifically for exterior purposes. Ask your local hardware store or building supply company for advice.

You will also want to carefully consider colors before settling on an exterior paint. Choose something that matches your home's style and decor, as well as your personal preferences. If you plan on painting trim along with the exterior walls, choose both colors at the same time to make sure they properly match the look that you want to achieve.

Do your best to estimate how many gallons you will need so you can purchase all of the paint at one time. Typically, one gallon covers 325 to 375 square feet.

Exterior Painting

When painting the exterior of your home you should wait for a cool, dry day. Never begin a painting project if high winds or rain are forecast.

Begin painting at the top of the house, then work your way on down. Paint slowly. If done properly, you will only have to paint the exterior of your home every 10 to 20 years so there's no need to rush. If you decide you need two coats, make sure the first coat has completely dried before getting started on the second. Normally, it takes exterior paint anywhere from 24 to 48 hours to fully dry.