Exterior Painting Tips
Painting the exterior of your house is a huge job. But the rewards are great! With the right painting company you will extend the life of your siding and trim and increase the value of your home. Best of all, you’ll make it look like new again.
Here’s a few things to consider when painting the exterior of your home:
USE QUALITY PAINTS: Better quality paint means you’ll get better coverage and therefore, will need to paint less often over the years. In the long run, saving you money.
PREPARATION IS KEY:
a) Protect the Landscape - It’s easy to forget how messy painting can be, so be sure to cover the ground, bushes, and any other vegetation below the area being painted. Also, move or cover any outdoor furniture, hoses, grills etc. before the start of the job.
b) Surface Cleaning Is Important - Paint won’t adhere very well to dirty or rough surfaces, so make sure the siding and trim is thoroughly washed and allowed to dry.
c) Replace Rotten Wood - Rotten wood and siding materials will continue to deteriorate even when painted. Replace the rotten siding or wood trim with new materials. In the case of a small area, use a wood hardener and match with an exterior filler product, such as a wood filler. Be sure to prep and sand either way before painting.
d) Thoroughly Scrape and Sand - Be sure to sand and scrape as needed any peeling paint to create a solid surface for the fresh paint to adhere to. If not properly done your house could be peeling after only a year or sooner depending on the weather.
WORKING FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM: Starting at the top and working your way down while painting helps control streaking. Drips are inevitable, but this method gives the painter the opportunity to feather out the mishaps in the direction you are working.
DON’T FORGET EXTERIOR PORCH FLOORS: Painted porch floors and steps can become a bit slick when painted, so add a bit of fine sand to the paint to add traction. You can purchase a slip-resistant additive for a stair paint to make steps less slippery. It's easy and inexpensive.
INSURED AND GUARANTEED: Make sure that the company you are hiring for the job is fully insured and guarantees all their work for a minimum of at least two years. This will give you time to ensure that the proper preparation was done and you have received a quality, long lasting result.
Check out this post from the customer-first real estate brokerage firm, REDFIN. You’ll find some great ideas for trusty combos to use when picking the best exterior paint colors for your home. Cobb Brothers Company is happy to answer any of your exterior painting questions and would love to provide you with a free estimate. Contact Steve Cobb at steve@CobbBrothersCo.com today or call 508-655-7910