Plan Your Home’s Exterior Painting Project

Summer is a great time to paint your home’s exterior, giving it a boost in its aesthetic, and an important measure of protection against the elements. Whether your home needs to be painted from top to bottom or simply needs some refreshing, planning is required. Use our tips to plan a painting project that runs smoothly and leaves your home looking great!

1. Set aside the time – Painting the exterior of your house is no small feat, so set aside time accordingly. For example, if you live in a large home and will be doing the painting all by yourself, don’t expect to complete the project in a single weekend.
2. Check the weather – Check the weather report and plan accordingly. A rainy week will not work for painting your home’s exterior. Here in Northeast Florida, the heat and humidity can be intense, so try to hold off for a pleasant week in order to make the job go as comfortably as possible.
3. Surface preparation – Make any necessary repairs to your house before opening the first can of paint. Replace rotted wood and rusted metal, reapply caulk, and scrape the old and chipped paint. You’ll also need to properly clean the surface before painting, typically by pressure washing, to make sure that any mold, mildew, insect infestations, etc. are gone before you begin painting.
4. Paint selection – Exterior paint is specially formulated to resist mildew, retain color, and be flexible in order to withstand the expanding and contracting that comes with the weather. Paint comes in all colors of the spectrum, and it also comes in an array of finishes and coverages, so take the time to choose the perfect paint for your specific project. Paint also comes in all kinds of prices, and when it comes to paint, you really get what you pay for, so don’t reach for the least expensive paint you see. Often, the less expensive the paint is, the less pigment it has in it. If you opt for the cheaper paint, you might have to buy more of it and spend more time applying additional coats than if you buy a more expensive paint with high pigmentation that can cover in a single coat.
5. Tool selection – Will a paint roller and a 4” brush be enough for your project, or will you need a paint sprayer for the job? You’ll need a ladder that is sturdy and safe, and will also likely need an extension to reach those especially high areas. Don’t forget the drop cloth, too, even though it’s an outdoor project. Paint will drip and spatter no matter what type of applicators you use, so protect all pavers, decking, and landscaping accordingly.
6. Clean up – Clean up is the final stage of the project, but it still requires proper planning. Any paint chips that are scraped off will need to be vacuumed up with a shop vac, and any paint drips that miss the drop cloth will need to be wiped away or scraped off with a razor.

With the right planning, your exterior house painting job will be a great DIY project and a fun way to invest in your home in a hands-on way. However, if this type of project is beginning to sound daunting, messy, or like something you don’t want to get started on, you can find the best painting contractor in your area and trust the job to the pros.

The best Jacksonville FL painting company is The Painting Craftsmen, and we pride ourselves in our exterior painting service. Our technicians are highly trained and experienced and would love to get to work on your home. We specialize in giving smooth, even, beautiful coatings on wood, cedar shake, stucco, vinyl, and aluminum siding. Whether you live in downtown Jacksonville, the surrounding suburbs, or at the beaches, we are the best painting contractors in town, and the ones to trust with your home.