7 Tips for Painting the Exterior of Your House

Our houses get punished by the environment and that can mean that from time to time, they require painting. The paint can fade and it can crack and flake, leaving your home looking slightly worse for wear. However, if you thought that painting your house was a big job, then the following tips will definitely help.

Painting the exterior of a house is different from painting a room because the size of the job is larger. So, to get off on the right foot, make sure you plan the job which will include identifying any problem areas and determining the type of equipment you will need. This will allow you to get started in the best possible way.

You won't need to paint the entire exterior of your property as a large portion of it will be made up of windows and doors. Therefore, you will need to prepare your property by covering woodwork, window frames, handles and remove any items that may be fitted to the walls.

When painting the upper reaches of a house, using a ladder can be quite dangerous. As mentioned by Scaffold Pole, a mobile scaffolding platform is a safe and sturdy platform that allows you to paint the hard to reach areas. These platforms can be quite expensive to buy, but they can be rented at an affordable price.

If you want to keep the amount of work at a minimum, then painting it the same color can make a huge difference. If you choose a lighter color, it could require more coats and that will take more time. If you are unsure of the color, try and peel some of the old paint off and take it to a paint specialist as they can help match it up.

Whether you live on a busy road where traffic film is a problem or you simply live in the countryside, your home will still be covered in a film of dirt and grime. You cannot paint over this, so it will need to be removed. Either use a hose to wash it off or use a pressure washer ensuring to take care of delicate areas.

You don’t want to paint your house when rain is on the way, but you also don’t want to paint when the sun is shining. Bright sunshine can cause the paint to blister and it can also show lap marks. Obviously, rain can cause wet paint to run off the masonry, so ensure that you choose the right time to ensure you get that perfect finish.

Start painting your property from the top first, which will mean that you need to use a ladder. Ensure that you are secured safely and begin the cutting in before applying the paint with a roller a brush or both. Then begin to work your way down the property before finishing at the bottom.