Early autumn is a great time of year to tackle your home exterior painting project. The temperature is warm during the day and the humidity is low. This means quicker drying times. If you’re not sure how to paint the exterior of your home, you will want to:
- plan ahead
- buy enough paint in the same color
- tackle the job one section at a time
With a little planning, your home exterior painting project will be fun and satisfying!
Step 1: Envision the Final Product
Select a color palette for your home’s exterior walls, trim, shutters, and doors. There are some tried and true color combinations that are beautiful, taking the guesswork out of choosing colors.
Use Benjamin Moore’s Personal Color Viewer tool. It will help you visualize the end result. Plus it will list compatible paint colors by name and product number for easy reference. Tip: Basic whites, light blues, light beiges, and yellows work best for resale curb appeal.
Step 2: Prepare the Exterior Surfaces
A clean and debris-free exterior is best for holding paint. Before you apply paint, spend a day preparing your home’s exterior. The first step is sanding or scraping old and peeling paint. Then, check for gaps between the siding and windows. Caulk where needed, or replace lengths of siding or shingles. Finally, use a power sprayer to thoroughly wash your home’s exterior. Don’t forget to allow a couple of days to dry completely before applying paint.
Step 3: Planning & Prep
Watch your weather forecast. Then choose a stretch of warm, dry days to start painting. Plan on having a couple of days (a weekend) to work.
Make sure you buy more than enough paint to cover your home’s exterior. It’s helpful to get a little bit more than you think you will need for touch-ups.
Before you paint, place plastic tarps or drop cloths over walkways, shrubs, and grasses. This helps protect against spilled paint. Also, move or cover up any outdoor furniture, hoses, or grills, that are close to the house.
Step 4: Use Paint that includes Primer
Look for a paint that has combined primer and paint into one product. This will cut down on the number of coats you will have to apply.
Step 5: Start at the Top and Paint Down
Start at the top and paint down to control streaks and drips. This method will allow you to feather out mishaps in the direction you are working.
Do you have a painting project in mind?
Stop in to your local GNH Lumber to learn more and to get that project started today. Get your painting project started!