Best time for exterior painting. DIY exterior painting tips

Painting the exterior of your house is important not just for aesthetic reasons, but also to protect your house from the outside. It protects the house from harmful UV rays, dust, and excess moisture. If you fail to maintain the paint job on your home, it will wear out and eventually cause structural problems. Besides, a fresh coat of paint enhances the curb appeal of your property. To be successful at painting your house's exterior, you should follow some tips and tricks from experts.

Prepare exterior walls for painting

Before your first DIY exterior painting walls, prepare the surface well. Clean surfaces are a must for a professional look job. If the surface is in bad shape, it may need washing to remove any dust or dirt. Rinse off the surface with water and allow it to dry. 

Regardless of the type of paint you choose, the surface should be cleaned well before starting painting. High-pressure cleaning is ideal for exterior wall preparation before painting. While power washing is easier, hand washing with soap and water is more affordable. Once the siding is clean, allow it to dry completely. 

Painting over peeling paint exterior

Before you attempt to paint over the peeling paint exterior, you should remove the old coating. You should pay attention to peeling areas. The problem may be isolated areas of peeling paint on the exterior of the home. The paint may be peeling due to exposure to water. This water may have come from a plumbing leak, a sprinkler overspray, or a dryer exhaust. Then it is worth eliminating such an impact before repainting the house exterior.

You should remember to check your siding for lead-based paint. Health Canada has restrictions on lead content in exterior paint. The lead-based paint removal should be done by a professional contractor with special tools and a protection uniform.

Here are the main steps on how to prepare the exterior of a house for painting:

1. Put on protective clothing, goggles and face mask remove all rugs and outdoor furniture, and tape off the surrounding trim. 
2.  It's always best to protect your plants around the house using plastic sheeting or drop cloths before starting the painting process. 
3. Clean the surface to ensure the proper adhesion of the paint. Then let it dry.
4. Look for signs of paint damage, including peeling, cracking, bubbling, or missing paint. These are all signs of damage and need to be caulked and sended. 
5. You should also prime the siding with a primer to help it adhere to the surface more effectively. Whether you're looking to apply single or multiple layers of paint, a good primer can be crucial. A primer with adhesive properties will help the paint lay flat.
6. After preparing the surface, the paint can be applied.  Begin at the middle and move to the edges. The last, process the trim, windows and doors. Follow the instructions for the paint brand you plan to use. If you are painting over the same colour as an existing coat of paint, it may be enough to apply a single coat of paint to the surface.

Best paint for exterior painting

The type of exterior paint for your home also affects how it looks. Before you start applying the paint on your home's exterior, make sure to select the best exterior paint for your type of siding. There are three types of exterior paints, acrylic, latex, and oil-based. The type of paint that is right for you depends on your personal preferences and local climate.

• High-quality acrylic paints are thick and hard and have high elastic features. You can use these types of paints for painting your entire house and they last for a long time, not cracking and fading.  Acrylic paints are ideal for siding made of wood because wood expands and contracts in the weather.
• Standard latex paint is a cheaper option for refinishing the exterior. The paint is able to withstand different weather conditions. Water-based, it dries quickly and is easy to clean. But as a result, latex paint does not last for decades. Flat, smooth walls may look good with latex paint, while uneven walls may be hard to apply to when it comes to latex paint. 
• Oil-based paints feature high-gloss, heavy-duty finishes. They require a longer curing time and contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Oil-based exterior paints are very resistant to abrasion but tend to crack and yellow over time. Oil-based coatings should never be used on galvanized iron or freshly-sanded masonry. They also have higher costs and higher labour expenses, so it's important to use them only when you absolutely have to.

When choosing the best paint for your exterior house painting, you must consider the climate of your area. The weather in provinces of Canada is completely different, so the optimal exterior house paint will differ from those in other areas. For example, homes in Calgary Alberta will be subjected to more severe weather patterns than those in Vancouver. Therefore, choosing the right paint for your home will make all the difference. 

Whether you're painting the exterior of your home yourself or hiring a painting professional, choose a paint that will give you the results you want. 

Different surfaces of exterior

Paint is an essential part of any home, and painting your exterior is no exception. Depending on the type of siding, you can use different facade paints and painting techniques. Here are a few tips to ensure a beautiful finish.

Painting brick exterior

You should first inspect the brick wall for any defects. Efflorescence is a buildup of white crystal salts on the brickwork. This must be removed before you paint. You can remove efflorescence by wiping down bricks with a mixture of white vinegar and water and drying the area.
Bricks are porous and will hold moisture that can damage the paint job. Before applying the paint, you should dry the facade thoroughly so choose the dry warm weather for the project.

If you want to change the colour of your brick house, you must first fill in all cracks and holes. If there are any cracks or holes, you must remove the rubble. Then you will need to prime the brick and apply two coats of paint to it. 

Painting stucco exterior

Painted stucco is an extremely popular method of exterior home decorating. When painting stucco, you must use the appropriate tools. The choice of exterior painting should be based on the condition of the surface. For example, rough stucco will require a different roller than smooth stucco, so make sure to select one that is suitable for your project. 

You should also choose paints with masonry primer, as these types of paints. A flat acrylic or latex exterior paint should be used. Make sure that the primer is completely dry before applying any paint. Two coats are recommended to ensure that the stucco is properly covered. 

Painting exterior doors and windows

The first step in painting the window frame is to clean it and remove any dirt or mildew. Use a scrubbing brush and hot water to scrub off loose particles. Then check the old paint adhesion, you may need to clean up the old coating. Use paint tape to cover the window glass so splashes don't get in. Otherwise, you will have a tedious window cleaning process

When painting the exterior of a door or window, start from the edges furthest from the hinges to avoid smudging.  If possible, paint the exterior of the door first before moving on to the interior. This will give the edges ample time to dry before you begin painting the rest of the door or window. Also, start painting from the top to the bottom of the panel first, as the lower corners tend to have a tendency to collect paint. Always brush out any excess paint while it's still wet.

Painting exterior foundation

The last you have to paint the foundation. The concrete foundation of your house is exposed to UV light, which ruins exterior surfaces. Sunlight is especially damaging to concrete, which is a common foundation material. 

Before painting the foundation, you should clean it with a power washer or hose and wire brush to remove any debris and then dry it thoroughly. You can use a paint sprayer to apply the paint. This method produces an even, flat coat in a fraction of the short time. 

Colour combination for house exterior painting

Choose the best colour for the exterior of your home based on the style of the house. Consider the style of your home, the style of surrounding properties, and the tones of your shingles, window frames and porch. 

If you're planning to paint your house's exterior, you should be aware of the various colour schemes architects use for urban space planning. White and red, for example, will look good together on the exterior of a house with a red roof. 

Olive green, taupe and yellow are all popular colours for house facades. These colours are also compatible with white, making them a good choice for painting your house. Some original houses even use a number of bright colours. These colourful buildings look very fun and vibrant.

You can choose blue as your main house exterior paint colour. This deep and mellow colour will go well with any exterior design style and complement the landscaping on your property. Grey-blue is another colour option that looks great on house exteriors and matches various styles. The navy blue colour is also suitable for subtle and gentle combinations. Remember that you can never choose just one colour for your house's exterior - it is a combination of many components.

You can select a lighter colour for the front, or opt for a darker one for the back. If you have a brick exterior, a darker colour may not suit the home's style.  

If you're considering a total makeover, go for a darker shade to save on paint costs. Darker exterior shades may not require thorough priming, or they might need just one coat of paint. But remember that there are pros and cons to both. Darker colours may look great when newly painted, but they are likely to absorb heat from the sun and fade over time.

Safe and secure

When painting the exterior of your house, safety is always of utmost importance. To avoid slipping, use an extendable ladder with three overlapping rungs. Place someone to hold it while you work, and never reach beyond arm's length. If ladders are not an option, consider using scaffolding instead. This way, you can safely reach high-up areas without falling or injuring yourself. 

Best time of year for exterior painting

Now you know how to paint the exterior of the house. The last step is to choose a suitable time for painting. Paint your siding during the day, but avoid painting at the hottest time of the day. The weather should be on average 15-20 degrees Celsium to ensure even coverage. Almost every paint tends to expand and contract with the weather, so the ideal time to paint it is between May and early July. This is the season with little rain and low temperature fluctuations from day to night.  This will ensure the paint goes on smoothly and has the chance to dry and cure properly without cracking.