It seems like almost everyone is renovating their homes right now! If you are looking to freshen up the look of your home in a quick and relatively inexpensive way, there aren’t many better ways to do it than by repainting your home’s exterior.
A fresh coat of paint can make your home look newer and looked after, and it only takes a week or two. Repainting your home’s exterior will also add value to it. If you are planning on attempting to paint your home’s exterior yourself, you want to make sure it is a solid job that lasts for years to come. Before you pick up your paintbrush, definitely take a look at our top 5 exterior house painting rules below:
- Use top quality products and tools
Never skimp out on your materials when doing an exterior paint job! Pay the money for top quality paint, primer, caulking compound, brushes, and rollers. Many high quality products will come with a guarantee to cover fading or damage to the final product. For homes with textured exteriors, you can also rent an airless sprayer from your local hardware or paint store for a more seamless application.
- Do multiple coats if necessary
If you are painting new construction, a weathered surface, or doing a major colour change then make sure you apply multiple coats of exterior paint. If you are painting bare wood or metal, start with a high quality primer. After that, apply the first coat of paint. Once it is dry, apply a second top coat.
- Wait for the right weather
The best conditions for exterior painting are dry, mild, cloudy days. If the weather is too hot, the paint will dry too fast. If it is too cold, the paint could potentially take too long to dry. Finally, if it is too windy or damp, your paint could become bubbled or riddled with debris. Hold out for a week where the weather looks steady!
- Proper preparation prevents poor performance
If you want your paint to adhere properly, it must be applied to a clean and dry surface that isn’t peeling or flaking. If your existing siding or trim is wearing down, you will need to scrape and sand the surfaces. Once that is done, you should protect decks, walkways, cars, shrubs, and gardens from paint spills by covering them with cloth or plastic covers before you start painting.
- Be realistic
Have you stopped and thought about whether or not this is really something that you can DIY? Unless you have the time, tools, and skills to paint your home’s exterior, consider calling in a professional painter to do the job. Be sure to consider the size and height of your house when making this decision – every house is different and some will be more manageable to paint than others. If you do decide to go with a pro, always be sure to check out their reviews from previous customers.
Whether you are set on doing your own exterior painting this year or think you might need a professional painter after all, our team is ready to help. Contact our painters to learn more about our Victoria BC exterior painting services and tips!