When it comes to the visual appeal of your house, nothing makes a bigger statement than your siding. If it’s dated or deteriorating, your house will suffer. If it’s fresh and vibrant, your home will be warm and welcoming. Which one is yours?
Making the Case for Painting Your House
Painting your home’s exterior probably isn’t something that’s on the top of your “want-to-do” list, but it should be! A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for you, yielding benefits like:
- Increased curb appeal. For starters, a fresh coat of paint will make your house pop. You’ll enjoy far greater curb appeal, which will foster a greater sense of pride in your property.
- Enhanced protection. New paint isn’t all about looks. It also serves the functional purpose of protecting your home from the elements, warding off damaging insects, and increasing the lifespan of your siding.
- Maximum home value. When an appraiser comes on your property to value your home, a new painting job can have a significant impact on the valuation. In most cases, you’ll get back more value than the upfront cost.
These are just a few of the benefits you get from painting your exterior. So instead of putting it off as a dreaded task that never gets tackled, perhaps you should consider moving forward?
4 Things You Need to Know
Before painting your house, there are some things you’ll need to know. In particular, we want to make you aware of the following:
1. Proper Preparation is Key
Painting your house isn’t as simple as slapping on some paint and calling it a day. You’ll need to invest in thorough preparation beforehand.
“The quality of a paint job begins with how well your home is prepped for painting,” explains JD Hostetter, an Indianapolis-based painting contractor. “Issues such as damaged siding, holes in wood, and peeling existing paint must be addressed first. Surfaces must be scraped, sanded, and/or primed—this assures that the surface is ready to hold the paint, and adds to the long-lasting durability of a good paint job.”
2. Choose the Right Paint
Paint selection is very important. The type of paint you choose will make or break your project.
There are two basic types of exterior paint for homes: oil-based alkyd and water-based latex. As you can guess, there are some pros and cons to both. With the oil-based paint, cleanup can be a challenge (requiring mineral spirits or paint thinner in most cases). However, its durability helps it remain stain-resistant for years to come. Water-based latex, on the other hand, dries fast, is simple to clean up with soap and water, and has low odor. But it doesn’t tend to hold up as well over the long run.
You’ll have to make a decision on which type of paint to use for your application. Every situation is unique and there’s no right or wrong solution.
3. Select the Right Contractor
While you can technically paint your house on your own, it isn’t a recommended DIY project. It requires time, skill, precision, and money. The average homeowner is better off paying someone to do the job. However, it’s imperative that you select the right paint contractor.
A good paint contractor will be licensed and insured, have a portfolio of satisfied clients, and be in a position to offer a competitive price. He’ll also be able to walk you through different options and offer some advice on how to proceed for best results.
4. Be Smart About Timing
When painting a home’s exterior, timing is everything. You’ll need to check the weather forecast to ensure there aren’t any rain showers in the forecast. Temperature can also be an important factor. As a rule of thumb, it isn’t smart to paint when the temperature is below 50 degrees. Doing so could impact the paint’s adhesive properties. The best drying will occur when the temperature is between 50-85 degrees with a relative humidity of 40-70 percent.
Show Your House a Little Love
Your house needs a little TLC from time to time. In addition to a fresh coat of paint, you may consider sprucing up your landscaping and remodeling worn out spaces. Show your house some love and it will love you well in return.
