Painting the exterior of a home requires time and care. Choosing a quality paint that will hold up well to outdoor weather conditions, including strength and daily duration of sunlight, amount of rainfall, and temperature variance, is important.
Additionally, painters should use paints formulated for specific surface materials and mildew resistance. Using these best practices will ensure that a home’s new paint job looks great for years to come. For professional help, contact Painters Toms River.
Whether painting the exterior of a building for the first time or repainting a house, preparation is the most important part of the process. Regardless of the product used, a poorly prepared surface will never produce a good paint job. The best commercial painters know how important proper preparation is and use the appropriate steps to prepare a surface for painting.
The first step of preparation is washing the entire exterior of a building or house. This is done to remove any dirt and debris that may interfere with the adhesion of new paint. It is also a good opportunity to remove any loose or flaking paint and scrape bare wood areas. Then, the surface is sanded either by hand or with a power sander. Light sanding will remove any rough areas on the surface and give the final smooth surface needed for painting.
As the surface is sanded and cleaned, any damaged areas will be identified and repaired. This can be due to wear and tear, weather conditions or insect activity. This is a good time to repair these items, and it is a good idea to have an experienced handyman on hand. If necessary, the handyman can make repairs and then apply caulking or insulation to those areas.
It is also a good idea to cover any plants or shrubs with lightweight canvas tarps. This will keep the dirt and debris from falling into them, and can be removed at the end of each day. It is also a good idea to cover outlets and fixtures with painter’s tape.
Lastly, a light misting with a hose will clean the surfaces and help them to dry before the actual painting begins. This will also remove any moisture that is trapped in the pores of the surface.
Depending on the intensity of the color, one or two coats of exterior paint may be applied. A good quality latex or acrylic paint is recommended, and a sprayer should be used to get the best results. It is also a good idea to use a waterproofing additive when applying the paint.
Color Selection
The right color scheme can make your home stand out, create an individual statement, and boost curb appeal and resale value. It is also a long-term commitment, because it can take seven to 10 years before your exterior paint needs to be refreshed again. So it’s important to take your time when choosing colors.
The key to selecting the perfect exterior paint color is to work with a professional. An experienced interior designer can help you narrow down your choices and find the right palette that complements your home’s style and architecture. This process is particularly important if you have unpainted stone or brick areas that will not be painted, because the colors used must coordinate with these fixed surfaces.
Another consideration is how a color will look at different times of the day and year. A paint color can look very different under natural sunlight and artificial light. It is also important to consider how a paint color will look with the surrounding landscaping and trees.
Choosing the wrong color can turn your beautiful home into an eyesore. Repainting your exterior takes a lot more time and money than painting an interior room, so it is important to be confident in your choice before committing to it.
Start by viewing small paint chips on color strips. Ideally, you should see the color swatches on a white surface that will remain present. This allows the undertones to show clearly so you can decide whether or not it is the right color for your home.
Next, drive around your neighborhood and pay attention to the color schemes of other homes in your area. Whether they are traditional, contemporary, or somewhere in between, you can learn a lot about what is popular and how to select the best colors for your own house.
Once you have narrowed down your options, visit a local paint store that offers samples in pint sizes. Purchase a few pints of the shades you like and apply them to your home, using contrasting swatches to see how they will look at varying times of the day and year.
Application
Choosing the right paint color for the exterior of your home can be an overwhelming task. Not to mention all the prep work and labor that goes into prepping surfaces and applying the paint. Hiring a professional to help with the process can save you time, money and stress in the long run. The key is to hire a pro that can match the quality of your own paint selections and follow proper painting techniques for a result you’ll love.
A good paint job protects your home from the elements and helps prevent deterioration. Investing in top-quality paint will ensure your new coat of paint lasts, especially when it comes to high-moisture areas. Choosing a flat finish will reduce glare from the sun, and it’s important to choose a paint that bonds well with your existing surface. There are a variety of paints available to suit a range of needs and environments.
When selecting your paint, look for a product that is formulated with advanced UV protection and weather-resistance. This will keep your color vibrant longer than other exterior paints, even with extended exposure to the sun. A great option for homeowners in high-moisture and high-rainfall areas is Behr’s Marquee Flat Exterior Paint and Primer. This product has received top marks from Consumer Reports and features a unique design that makes it self-priming in most cases. This means you’ll likely only need one coat instead of two, and it will eliminate the need for costly priming.
You’ll also want to select a paint that has a low level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These chemicals are harmful to your lungs and environment, but there are now many options on the market with very little VOC content.
A fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into your property and give it some much-needed personality. Before you choose a painter, make sure to meet them in person and take a close look at the state of the surfaces you’re wanting painted. Be sure to ask about the scope of the project, if any repairs are needed and if there’s anything that can be done to lower the cost. Set up an estimate appointment with a local independently owned and operated CertaPro Painters(r) franchised business to get the most accurate pricing for your specific job.
Final Inspection
The final inspection is a crucial step to ensure that all work has been completed and to identify any remaining issues. A number of things can go wrong during the building process that may not be obvious to untrained eyes, and can ultimately cause a project to fail its final inspection.
These issues can include improperly caulked windows, doors or other exterior elements. They can also include paint that isn’t properly applied or has drips or runs, which can lead to water intrusion or mold growth. In many cases, the painters are responsible for identifying these issues and addressing them as part of the contract.
During the final inspection, it’s also important to check that all agreed-upon repairs have been completed. It’s not uncommon for builders to skip this step when they are pressed for time as the date approaches for settlement, but it’s never a good idea. The purpose of the final inspection is to make sure that the home is in the same condition as it was when purchased and that all work has been completed as specified in the approved plans.
To do this, it’s important to have a final inspection checklist. This checklist should include all of the items that need to be addressed and the timeline for completing them. It’s also important to schedule the inspection for a time when the property will be unoccupied so that the inspector can examine it without interruption.