Home projects: things to remember before painting the exterior of your home
Few things can improve the appearance of a home like a fresh coat of paint. Whether homeowners choose a new color or simply brighten up the original, their efforts will restore a youthful look to the property. However, painting a house exterior is a large project that requires careful preparation. Without thorough planning, the task can be a headache at best or a nightmare at worst. In order to paint your house well and have a beautiful new finish for years to come, remember these suggestions. Along with time and patience, they will help you finish the job confidently.
The first step in repainting a house is to choose which color of paint to use. Selecting a new color can be intimidating, as using vivid colors can turn a home into a gingerbread house. On the other hand, using too few colors or those that are very dull can give a house a one-dimensional appearance. If you live in a historic home, consider consulting old architectural books or your local Historic Architecture Review Board (HARB) for suggestions. Keep in mind that the HARB may limit color choices, so it is a good idea to confer with them before purchasing gallons of paint. No matter how old your home may be, it is wise to paint it in shades that will compliment neighboring houses. Working with color schemes that harmonize with the community will likely give you the best results. Also, remember that certain colors on your house are permanent like the roof, mortar, and any brick or wood surfaces that will remain unpainted. Select paints that will blend smoothly with these surfaces to avoid a house that clashes with itself.
The primary exterior paint should differ from the colors of trim, shutters, and columns to add a sense of depth. Many homes have white accents, but darker shades of the main paint color make stunning accents. Select a few color swatches from the local paint store to look at up against your house. This is vital, as the samples will look completely different in sunlight. Once you find a color that you like, you may wish to purchase a small tester sample. Many reputable paint manufacturers offer these in four-ounce sizes, saving you the hassle of buying gallons of a paint that you ultimately dislike. Test the shades you have chosen for the walls and trim, and once you are satisfied make your full purchase. Consult a professional at the paint counter for advice on how many gallons will be needed to paint the entire house, saving a sample of the paint in case you have to buy more later.
It is also important to pick the right finish of paint. Although glossy paints clean up easily and last longest, they show imperfections more than other finishes. Using a high-gloss exterior paint can also make a home unpleasantly shiny on bright days and more reflective than most homeowners would like. Flat finishes are most popular for the majority of exterior surfaces, while semi-gloss or high-gloss paints are used on trim pieces. Keep in mind that darker shades will fade first because they attract heat and will be more susceptible to water damage, so consider limiting them to small areas that can be touched up easily. Exterior paints come in both water base (latex) and oil base (acrylic), but water base paints are by far the more popular of the two. Many experts suggest applying a latex top coat (or main color) over an acrylic primer for best results. No matter which colors or finishes you choose, it is important to buy a high-quality (and usually more expensive) paint for lasting results.
Once you have made these preliminary decisions, it is time to prepare the house for paining. Rent a pressure washer to thoroughly clean the exterior of the home. Scrape away any peeling paint that you see as well as rust stains. If you find nails that have worked their way out of the walls, nail them back in so that they are sunken. Cover them with a spackling compound or wood filler to avoid future shifts or rusting. Remove shutters, gutters, storm doors and any other pieces that will be painted a different color. These should be painted before being replaced to avoid the extra hassles involved with getting into small areas. Inspect the exterior for any other problems such as rotten wood or mold growth. Either replace or repair damaged wood and thoroughly clean up any mildew with a twenty-five percent bleach solution. Fungicide primers can be purchased to avoid a recurrence of the issue. Any cracks that you find in the walls can be filled with caulk and sanded as needed. Once you have a clean and smooth exterior, you can prepare to begin painting. Make sure that you have all the necessary tools available, including paint brushes, rollers, paint trays, ladders, edging tools, and scaffolds. You may also want to rent a spray painter, which will help you apply the top coat in a fraction of the time that a hand tool would require. Thoroughly educate yourself about the safe and proper operation of any tools you use to avoid any mistakes or injuries along the way. It is always best to hire a professional to paint areas you feel are too dangerous to reach on your own.
Having made these preparations, you will be ready to begin the task of painting your home. Although it will probably take several days to complete the job, the results will be worth the time you invest. You can use the money that otherwise would have gone to a professional painter to reward your hard work or do further home improvements. More gratifying still will be the beauty of your newly painted home, which will last for many years.
The first step in repainting a house is to choose which color of paint to use. Selecting a new color can be intimidating, as using vivid colors can turn a home into a gingerbread house. On the other hand, using too few colors or those that are very dull can give a house a one-dimensional appearance. If you live in a historic home, consider consulting old architectural books or your local Historic Architecture Review Board (HARB) for suggestions. Keep in mind that the HARB may limit color choices, so it is a good idea to confer with them before purchasing gallons of paint. No matter how old your home may be, it is wise to paint it in shades that will compliment neighboring houses. Working with color schemes that harmonize with the community will likely give you the best results. Also, remember that certain colors on your house are permanent like the roof, mortar, and any brick or wood surfaces that will remain unpainted. Select paints that will blend smoothly with these surfaces to avoid a house that clashes with itself.
The primary exterior paint should differ from the colors of trim, shutters, and columns to add a sense of depth. Many homes have white accents, but darker shades of the main paint color make stunning accents. Select a few color swatches from the local paint store to look at up against your house. This is vital, as the samples will look completely different in sunlight. Once you find a color that you like, you may wish to purchase a small tester sample. Many reputable paint manufacturers offer these in four-ounce sizes, saving you the hassle of buying gallons of a paint that you ultimately dislike. Test the shades you have chosen for the walls and trim, and once you are satisfied make your full purchase. Consult a professional at the paint counter for advice on how many gallons will be needed to paint the entire house, saving a sample of the paint in case you have to buy more later.
It is also important to pick the right finish of paint. Although glossy paints clean up easily and last longest, they show imperfections more than other finishes. Using a high-gloss exterior paint can also make a home unpleasantly shiny on bright days and more reflective than most homeowners would like. Flat finishes are most popular for the majority of exterior surfaces, while semi-gloss or high-gloss paints are used on trim pieces. Keep in mind that darker shades will fade first because they attract heat and will be more susceptible to water damage, so consider limiting them to small areas that can be touched up easily. Exterior paints come in both water base (latex) and oil base (acrylic), but water base paints are by far the more popular of the two. Many experts suggest applying a latex top coat (or main color) over an acrylic primer for best results. No matter which colors or finishes you choose, it is important to buy a high-quality (and usually more expensive) paint for lasting results.
Once you have made these preliminary decisions, it is time to prepare the house for paining. Rent a pressure washer to thoroughly clean the exterior of the home. Scrape away any peeling paint that you see as well as rust stains. If you find nails that have worked their way out of the walls, nail them back in so that they are sunken. Cover them with a spackling compound or wood filler to avoid future shifts or rusting. Remove shutters, gutters, storm doors and any other pieces that will be painted a different color. These should be painted before being replaced to avoid the extra hassles involved with getting into small areas. Inspect the exterior for any other problems such as rotten wood or mold growth. Either replace or repair damaged wood and thoroughly clean up any mildew with a twenty-five percent bleach solution. Fungicide primers can be purchased to avoid a recurrence of the issue. Any cracks that you find in the walls can be filled with caulk and sanded as needed. Once you have a clean and smooth exterior, you can prepare to begin painting. Make sure that you have all the necessary tools available, including paint brushes, rollers, paint trays, ladders, edging tools, and scaffolds. You may also want to rent a spray painter, which will help you apply the top coat in a fraction of the time that a hand tool would require. Thoroughly educate yourself about the safe and proper operation of any tools you use to avoid any mistakes or injuries along the way. It is always best to hire a professional to paint areas you feel are too dangerous to reach on your own.
Having made these preparations, you will be ready to begin the task of painting your home. Although it will probably take several days to complete the job, the results will be worth the time you invest. You can use the money that otherwise would have gone to a professional painter to reward your hard work or do further home improvements. More gratifying still will be the beauty of your newly painted home, which will last for many years.
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