Paints not only provide an elegant and sophisticated look but also provide protection by creating a barrier from weather and other natural elements. Painting exteriors of the house can be expensive and should be done properly with the best materials available. You can take the assistance of shade cards or order free catalogs for ideas and inspiration. Here is the step by step guide to help you through the process.
- Time of year
Select time of year when temperatures are neither too hot nor cold to carry out the job seamlessly and extreme temperatures can damage the paint. Therefore the best time for painting your house is during early autumn or late spring.
- Clean surfaces
Clean walls and surfaces from top to bottom. If you are lucky enough this is all you will need to do to get started. Clean with hose and later tackle stubborn dirt patches with soapy water and a wire brush. Give it adequate time to dry before proceeding to the next step.
- Remove old paint
You need to get rid of any type of old paint from the surface of the walls with the aid of paint scrapers, sandpapers, and wire brushes. Old paint that is chipped or blistered prevents new paint from setting properly on the wall. In case of heavy stubborn deposits of paint, you may have to use an electric paint scraper which melts the paint and peels it off the wall.
- Address small repairs
Small repairs such as rust, mildew, mold, split sidings and shingles, windows/ doors with missing caulk, popped nails, etc all need to be addressed. These small repairs may not seem significant but they do contribute a lot in providing a flawless and finished appearance to the house once the paint is applied.
- Calculate
It’s better to calculate the amount of paint you may need so you don’t run out of paint midway. To calculate, multiply perimeter of the house with height and divide it by square foot coverage mentioned on the can of paint. This will leave you with the quantity of paint that is required in gallons.
- Prime the surface
Opt for primer if you are painting wood for the first time, drastically changing the color or if there are exposed metals and raw wood surface. The primer provides a good base for final paint and also provides an additional layer of protection from other elements.
- Selecting paint
Choose high-quality paints for exteriors with a greater percentage of volume solids. Purchased cans that are labeled as ‘super premium’ or ‘premium’ to ensure better durability and color in the long run. Put some thought while picking up shade. Do paint swathes before finalizing the shade. Mix containers of paint thoroughly before applying them.
- Decide the application method
You can use a brush, paint sprayer or roller to paint your house. Each applicator comes with its own set of benefits. Painting with a brush gives you more control, roller provides more efficiency and paint sprayer has better coverage.
- Paint sidings
Paint sidings of your house before moving on to the trim. This gets most of the work done while speeding up the process as you don’t have to switch from one color to another. Always follow top to bottom and left to right directions while painting.
- Applying second coat
When the recommended amount of time has passed and the first coat is thoroughly dried, you can apply second paint of coat. Second coat brings out color, provides an extra protective layer and increases the life of the paint and hence should not be avoided.
- Paint the trim
Once sidings are painted you can paint the trim. You can opt for the same shade or choose a contrasting color for the trim. Painting trim can be time-consuming but it lends your house sleek and finished look.
Final Conclusion By following the above step by step guide you will definitely achieve the desired result. Just make sure you do the calculation for the required quantity of paint correctly and choose shades with help of color wheel or shade card to avoid selecting too bright or too dark colors for your house which won’t look mesmerizing or ideal.
