The outside of your house is more than just its façade. It is more of a welcome to the world after all. Beautiful painting of the outside enhances curb appeal, shields against the weather, and reveals your personality. However, exterior home painting does not come as easily.
Before you start planning for painting, you need to have the right tools and know-how to get the job done. You need to ask yourself whether you want to update your home or just protect it from the elements. Read this guide to learn everything you need to know about exterior painting.
What Is Exterior Painting?
Exterior painting is all about applying protective and decorative coatings over outer surfaces like walls, doors, windows, and trim on a building. Not only does exterior painting involve the act of colouring a building, but it also acts as protection against rain, wind, and dust moderately. Exterior paint prevents cracking, peeling, and fading. It will make your house look great for years while prolonging its lifespan.
What are the Differences Between Exterior and Interior Painting?
The exterior and interior painting differ, however, in purpose, technique, and materials.
- ➢ Purpose: The exterior paints are prepared and customised for extreme weather, UV rays, and extreme temperatures. Whereas the interior ones specifically focus more on aesthetic appeal and ease of cleaning.
- ➢ Finish:
Unless otherwise mentioned, the exterior paints normally have a matte or a semi-gloss finish to facilitate prolonged time before performing the next maintenance, while the interior ones show satin, gloss, and eggshell finishes.
- ➢ Application: As it is always going to be uneven and touchy in the case of application, it has to take care of being on height, standing on ladders, or scaffolding. Hence, a lot of work goes on on cracked surfaces like brick or concrete. Interior painting is very controlled and straightforward.
- ➢ Preparation: Exterior surfaces require a wide range of cleaning, repairs, and priming so that it holds the paint long enough.
Exterior Painting Techniques
1. Clean Surface
The basis of any good exterior paint job is a spotlessly clean surface. It's almost as if you are giving your house a new beginning. Dirt, mildew, and grime just seem to continue piling on your exterior walls until it creates a layer that makes it even harder for the paint to adhere correctly. With a pressure washer, you're also removing the dirt built up on them and allowing you to see exactly where you are dealing with repairs needed. A smooth surface guarantees that paint will stick well on it, bringing you that picture-perfect and long-lasting look you've always wanted for your home.
2. Fill in Cracks and Holes
Cracks, holes, and peeling paint don't just serve as cosmetic imperfections. They serve as weaknesses for the wall to defend itself against invading moisture, which can damage the wall over time. Before even breaking out that paintbrush, inspect your walls carefully for cracks and holes. The filler goes in to cap imperfections and is sanded down for a smooth surface. It's not just aesthetics. It's about keeping water out and the sun from beating down on your home. Think of this as your home's spa day before the facelift!
3. High-Quality Primer
A primer is often known as the unsung hero of painting. It lays the groundwork for success. Applying a primer creates a base coat, which allows the paint to stick better. It brings out the vibrancy of the colour and increases the longevity of the painting. When it comes to surfaces such as metal, wood, or even concrete, the use of primers specifically for these materials will ensure that your topcoat doesn't chip or fade prematurely. Skipping the primer is too good to be true, but believe it, it's the only way to get an incredibly long-lasting and professional-looking finish.
4. Use Weather-Resistant Paint
The outside of your home is constantly bombarded with sun, rain, wind, and humidity. Thus, the need to use weather-resistant paints cannot be compromised. Such paints are specially formulated to be resistant to fading caused by UV rays and water repellent to avoid peeling off and withstand humidity without cracking. The right paint investment ensures that your home will look fresh and vibrant for years regardless of what nature throws its way.
5. Paint in Good Weather
Timing is everything in painting outdoors during extreme weather conditions. Sun heating spread over great distances, excess rain, as well as saturated moisture, means even the best finish can go so wrong in short order. Drizzle with fewer clouds and a decent temperature will allow it to dry exactly uniformly and stick exceptionally well. Let's be planful about such a project time to ensure weather conditions are helpful for the same to be very beautiful and to be as it was imagined.
6. Proper Tools
Your tools will either make or break your painting experience. High-quality brushes, rollers, and sprayers ensure smooth, consistent application with less streaking and uneven coverage. Wide brushes are amazing for large, flat areas. Angled brushes work great for edges and corners. When painting a textured surface, such as brick or stucco, a sprayer is your best friend in making it look smooth without all the hassle of trying to do it by hand. Remember, the right tools don't make the job easy; they ensure professional-level results.
7. Paint from Top to Bottom
Gravity is in your favour when you paint. Paint from top to bottom to avoid unsightly drips and streaks, giving you an even finish! You even have better control of the flow of the paint as you go along because of the possibility of catching drips or runs. And nice to see the transformation just materialise as you work down!
8. Apply Multiple Coats
One coat of paint might look good initially, but two or more coats ensure durability and a rich, even finish. The first coat acts as the base, while the subsequent layers build up the colour and provide extra protection against weathering. Be patient and let each coat dry completely before applying the next one. This process ensures your hard work pays off with a flawless, long-lasting result.
9. Border Protection
Now painting can also get a little messy, but a little preparation work can save you quite a few clean-ups. Invest in drop cloths or plastic sheets to protect those surrounding plants, walkways, and windows from any stray paint splatters. Use painter's tape along the edges to create a perfect line. All this will go a long way in protecting your property and will allow you to obtain that professional finish without accidents on the way.
10. Inspection and Touch Up
Let the paint dry and step back to admire your handiwork. Take a closer look because you might see missed spots, uneven areas, or drips that you did not catch during the painting process. Touch up those imperfections with a small brush to make every detail flawless. This final step brings all your hard work together and leaves your home looking as polished and perfect as you imagined.
Why Hire 123 Home Paints for Your Exterior Painting?
At 123 Home Paints, we know that your home is your biggest pride and joy. That's why we provide unmatched expertise in exterior painting, ensuring that your house looks its absolute best while still being protected from all the elements. Here's why you should hire us:
- ➢ Professional Expertise: We are skilled in working with any surface or condition to ensure perfect results each time.
- ➢ Quality Materials: We use the best paints from a leading paints company in Kolkata. The tools we use can resist weathering, ensuring that your finish is long-lasting and vivid.
- ➢ Customised Solutions: From colour consultation to tailored techniques, we will create designs that fit your taste and the architecture of your home.
- ➢ Hassle-Free Experience: Just sit back and relax while we handle everything, from preparation to cleanup.
- ➢ Affordable Packages: You receive the value you invest, as we believe that pricing is straightforward and honest.
Get Your Dream House Going
Be it refreshing a painted look to the home, a house painter's task with great technique could just be your difference-maker from bad paint job quality, all of which gives it its real worth after weather protection.
Contact 123 Home Paints today to give your home the care and attention it needs. Our experts are ready to turn your vision into reality. Let's create something extraordinary together!
FAQs
Q1. How frequently should exterior surfaces be painted?
⦁ Typically, it requires a cycle of 5-10 years for exterior paint, depending on the paint quality, climatic conditions, type of surface, and regular maintenance.
Q2. What kind of paint is good for exterior walls?
⦁ Acrylic-based are the best ones to use when it comes to painting exterior walls, as they are strong and endowed with protective features against moisture and UV light.
Q3. How long does it generally take to paint the outside of a house?
⦁ This depends on the size of the house and on the preparatory work needed, but on average, painting the exterior of an ordinary house usually takes from three days to one week.
Q4. Can I paint the exterior of my house myself?
⦁ Certainly, painting by yourself is possible, but a professional painting service guarantees that you will get a high-quality and long-lasting finish. Do not forget that you can save your time and effort.