Painting your home’s exterior is a fool-proof way to refresh its look, especially before the holidays. It improves your property’s curb appeal and makes it look brand new. Your house will undoubtedly be eye-catching and inviting.
Home exterior painting, however, is a challenging task. It requires a significant investment in time, effort, and budget. Plus, doing it before the holidays requires finishing the project quickly. With these, you can consider hiring professionals. Having your home’s exterior painted by conscientious professionals is a great way to help protect your investment and ensure your home’s longevity.
Nevertheless, if you have enough time and budget, you can also consider taking the do-it-yourself route. To help get ready for the season of festivities, here’s a quick guide on painting your home’s exterior.
Pick The Right Paint Type And Color
Picking the best paint type can be tricky as you’re spoilt for choice because of the numerous options available. Moreover, you must consider factors such as outdoor conditions and siding material. One of the most versatile exterior paints is acrylic, suitable for various siding materials like wood, fiber cement, aluminum, and stucco. It’s also durable, long-lasting, and fast-drying.
For picking the best colors, neutral, muted, and earthy tones are some of the most elegant choices. These shades can be a perfect backdrop for any holiday decorations. Choosing two contrasting hues for the walls and trims is also a trick to make your home exterior look more defined.
Get The Right Tools
Getting the right tools is essential if you choose to tackle your home exterior painting yourself. Here are some of the painting tools you’ll need:
- Brushes
- Rollers
- Roller Tray
- Extension Poles
- Painter’s Tape
- Canvas Drop Cloths
- Brush Cleaner
- Mesh Tape
Investing in these tools is necessary if you plan to tackle your home repainting every five to ten years. Additionally, this ensures you have the proper tools required to finish the job and achieve good results.
Cover Your Windows And Doors
Once you’ve got all the tools, it’s time to prepare for painting. Grab your painter’s or masking tape and wall covers. To protect your windows and doors against spills and splatters, you may use old newspapers, plastic sheets, or masking films t.
Covering your windows and doors makes the job easier. No matter how careful you are, paint splatters are risky as you work around the home. While cleaning them afterward is possible, it’s more tedious and time-consuming.
Clean The Walls Thoroughly
Cleaning the exterior walls is imperative before painting. The surfaces may be covered with dirt and dust, which hinders the paint from adhering. You may clean it using a cleaner brush, sponge, wall cleaner, or a power washer to make it faster.
Moreover, thoroughly cleaning the walls helps reveal the cracks and holes. When all surfaces are clean, you’ll see the actual conditions of your siding, whether it needs repair or replacement. This step is essential for ensuring your home exterior wall are well-maintained.
Repair Cracks And Holes
After cleaning the walls, it’s time to repair cracks and holes. For larger holes, mesh tape and wall putty are required. On the other hand, smaller ones may only need caulk.
Repairing the cracks and holes on the exterior wall preserves your home’s condition. Aside from keeping the walls looking spotless, repair and restoration can also prevent water damage. Although it may require extra time and effort, it’s essential for maintaining and increasing your property value.
Prepare The Surface
When all the cracks and holes are repaired, it’s time to prep the walls for painting. Surface prep is imperative for any paint job. It ensures quality, durability, and longevity. To achieve this, follow these steps:
- Sand the surface using a sanding block, sponge, or an electric sander. The grit depends on your siding material, so it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Apply the first coat of primer. Priming the walls helps paint adherence and prevents bubbling and peeling. Let it dry completely for one to four hours.
- Repeat sanding and apply a second coat of primer. If necessary, you may apply up to three coats for better results.
A well-prepped wall produces the best result for any paint job. So, consider applying the steps discussed above to ensure you have a properly prepared surface before painting.
Start Painting
When the last coat of primer is completely dry, you may start painting. You may follow this simple step-by-step guide:
- Mix your paint using a drill mixer to achieve proper consistency.
- Grab your brush and start with hard-to-reach areas, corners, and trim edges.
- Pour your paint on a roller tray and use paint rollers for the rest of the area. Ensure there’s no excess paint dripping to avoid splatters and wastage.
- Let the paint dry, and apply one or two more coats for a vibrant look.
The drying time depends on the paint type. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to get the best results.
Conclusion
One of the best ways to prepare your home for the holiday season is to paint your home’s exterior a new look. It’s also a significant investment to maintain property value. So, keep the tips above in mind as you prepare your home’s exterior for the holidays!
