Content: 1368 words
Reading time: 4 min 57 sec
Article by: Ryan Thomas
Painting the exterior of your house is the easiest way of making it look new. But, there will be a lot to consider before you commit to painting.
Costs and difficulties can arise if you haven’t considered everything involved. So, why not give our guide a read because it outlines every step of the process.
By the time you finish reading, you should know more than most. You will have a good idea of how to paint the outside of your home. And, at the end of the article, you will see some tips for lighting up your house when it’s finished.
Best Time of Year to Paint the House Exterior?
So you’ve decided to take the plunge and dive into exterior house painting. You may be thinking this is a job you can do at any time. But, you may not realise, there are good times and bad times to paint your house.
For instance, you’ll need to make sure that the weather is co-operating. You will have to be sure of some good weather ahead. And, you will have to make sure it lines up with your painting plans. Wet and tacky paint reacts badly to cold damp weather conditions.
For the best possible results choose a day that is warm and dry. Try to pick a time where it’s unlikely to rain in the days after painting. And be wary of a drop in temperatures overnight as well. The cold can cause the paint to crack and peel.
DIY or Hire Professional Painter?
There will come a time when you will have to commit one way or the other. You will have to decide who will be doing the painting. Are you going to do it yourself or hire a professional?
Painting it yourself is, of course, the budget-friendly solution. If you’re worried about the cost this may be the route to take.
If you have smooth walls it should be a simple job. But, that will depend a lot on your confidence and your painting abilities.
On the other hand, your house may have cracks and missing mortar. In cases like that, it may be an idea to hire a professional. This way you are guaranteed a quality finish upon completion.
This does, however, depend on how much you’re prepared to pay. Whether or not your budget will meet the cost of paying a professional painter.
Clean the Exterior First
Depending on the house, cleaning and preparation could be done from a ladder. That is something you must decide for yourself.
Cleaning is one of the most important things to get right before painting. The exterior walls, windows and doors must be clean. Failure to clean properly can prevent the paint from sticking.
Use a wire brush and a bleach-water solution to scrub any mould off the walls. Then, brush down the walls to remove dirt and dust as well.
Consider using a power washer if necessary. But that will depend on the type of wall you are painting. If you do use a power washer, let it completely dry before proceeding to paint.
Priming the Wall for Painting
Have you decided to paint your house yourself? If the answer to that is yes, there are certain steps you must follow.
Consider the condition of the walls of your property. Use a stabilising primer for exterior masonry if it is flaky or powdery.
Do not use a stabilising solution if the base is solid, rendered or a stonework wall. Instead, for a primer, use a watered-down coat of masonry paint.
Good Painting Tools are Essential
The walls are clean and you've applied the correct primer. Now, it’s almost time to add some paint to the exterior.
To keep safe, it’s a good idea to install some scaffolding. Painting is usually a bit more involved than most people think. A scaffold will give you a solid foundation from which to work. It’s a lot safer than being on a ladder.
You can use a small tower on wheels for movability. But that will all depend on the type of ground surrounding the house.
If you do use a ladder don’t reach out and overstretch. And make sure that you’re using a good quality sturdy ladder. If using a ladder is your only option you should tie it to something solid. It will stop the ladder sliding off the wall.
The quickest way to paint the exterior of your house is by using a roller. A roller can cover large areas fast. And, by using an extension handle on the roller it will increase your reach.
Getting the Paint on the Wall
When painting, start at the top and work your way down. Load your roller with plenty of paint. You can roller out and spread any drips and runs as you go.
If you have the sun, start with the sun on your back. This will enable your walls to dry quicker. If everything goes well, a second coat on the same day may be possible.
Don’t forget, when you paint, it’s almost impossible not to get paint on your clothes. So, wear overalls if you have them. Or, wear old clothes that you won’t mind being ruined.
How Much Paint do I Need?
There is nothing worse than running out of paint. When you’re getting near the end of the job it’s the last thing you need.
Painting the exterior of a house can take a lot of paint. It’s worth keeping in mind that you will need at least two coats on the walls. It will depend on how porous the walls are so three coats is a possibility. Three coats will give you the best results.
So, depending on size, painting a house will use about 30-50 litres. It is always better to overestimate the paint required. If you underestimate, you will waste time travelling to get more. That will surely cause an unnecessary delay in painting the house.
Get Help From the Experts
Some people want to paint their house but lack the know-how. If that’s you, why not join a forum. Forums are full of tradesmen that can give you free expert advice.
Alternatively, you can search the internet for information and help. You can find out all kinds of things like how to paint a door then do-it-yourself.
But if you’ve decided that painting the exterior isn’t for you. Then you are at the point where you will have to pay a professional. Like many jobs, the costs involved vary. It will depend on the size of the job to be done.
A terraced house with a smooth exterior is an easy house to paint. A detached property with a textured exterior will usually take longer. You may find that prices vary from about £550 to £2000.
Light up the House with LED Lighting
So you’ve finished painting the house and you’re happy with the results. Is there anything else you can do to make your house stand out?
From a daytime point of view, you can cut the grass and tidy the shrubs. For the evenings you could install garden lighting. Some LED garden lighting is easy to install. You can buy DIY kits with a full set of installation instructions.
If you have an electrician friend to help you, that would be even better. Because first, you could go for a larger professional installation. And second, LED lighting can be tricky if you don’t know what you're doing.
Garden lighting at the back and front of the house would be best. And make sure some of it is pointing up at the house. That way, from no matter what angle you view the house, it will look magical.
Conclusion
The secret of being successful at exterior house painting is to be organised. You need to get everything in place before the painting starts.
First of all, you need to get the best tools for the job. And, make sure all the walls that you’re painting have been properly prepared.
But, the most important bit of advice is to make sure you’re working safely. Don’t be afraid to call in an expert if the job is more than you can handle. But, if you do do it yourself. Follow the above instructions and you should be more than satisfied when it’s finished.
