Low Temperature Paints When Painting in Cold Weather

For interior and exterior painting projects, it’s important to know the temperature range in which you can successfully paint (or stain) your home or other exterior projects. If you start your project in temps outside this range, you risk premature paint failure and a tragic waste of time and money. Generally, it is not recommended to apply paint when the temperature is less than 50 degrees.

However, you also need to take other variables into account. Paints, like materials, react to changes in temperature and humidity as well. In addition to a temperature that is too hot or too cold, excessive moisture in the air will cause the paint to not cure properly. The last thing you want to do is find yourself repainting your house because the conditions worked against you and the paint peels prematurely because it did not have time to cure.

If your exterior painting project isn’t complete by the time the temperature begins to drop during the fall season don’t worry. Today many manufactures are producing special “low temperature” paints. Winter grade, or low temperature paints, are specifically designed to improve and reduce the time between recoats. These paints can be used even when temperatures are as low as 35 degrees. Good news more time to get your exterior painting projects completed.