A fresh coat of paint can turn an ugly house into a stylish classic, dramatically boosting curb appeal and adding thousands to your home’s resale value. But exterior painting is a serious project that requires experienced craftsmanship.
Painters Anchorage protect your home from the elements and hides damage such as mold, mildew, rot, and cracking wood. It also reveals any problems that need addressing before they reappear later on.
A quality paint job on the exterior of your home does more than look good. It provides a critical layer of protection for the building materials. It shields wood, stucco, and metal from moisture, UV radiation, and wind. Without this barrier, the underlying materials can succumb to decay, rot, and other environmental damage. But this is only one reason why it’s essential to prepare the surface before you ever pick up a brush or can of paint.
Cleaning is the most important prep step in any painting project, and it’s especially crucial when working on an exterior surface. All of the dirt, debris, mildew, and cobwebs on your home’s exterior walls can prevent the new coat of paint from adhering to the surface. You can use scrub brushes, detergents, or a pressure washer, but professionals usually choose the latter because it’s faster and more effective. In addition to cleaning the surfaces, a power washer can reach crevices that aren’t accessible with a brush or garden hose.
The next step in a quality exterior paint prep is to sand and scrape any loose or flaking paint. This can be a tedious task, but it’s necessary to get the best possible result from your new paint job. Painting over loose or flaking paint will only cause it to crack and flakes again later, so don’t skip this step.
Once the sanding and scraping is done, the surface should be cleaned again with a cleaning product that removes mildew. After this, a primer should be applied. Many people are tempted to skip this step, but a primer is essential for a long-lasting paint job. It helps the top coat adhere to the surface and seals any cracks or bare spots in the existing paint.
It’s also a good idea to choose a day with a low chance of rain. Both the caulks and paints used in exterior renovation have a limited range of working temperatures, and they may not cure well in wet weather. It’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s recommended temperature range on the label before starting.
Painting your home’s exterior is one of the most affordable ways to add value. It’s also a great way to make it look new, and if done right, a good quality paint job can last for 15 years or more. To do the job right, you’ll need a few essential materials. The most important item is the paint itself, but you’ll also need brushes, rollers, ladders and masking tape. A power washer, cleaning agent, scrub brush and bleach for mildew are also necessary for the prep work.
Different surfaces require specific paints. For example, clapboard and aluminum siding require different types of paint than brick or concrete block. Fortunately, there is a wide range of exterior paints designed for a variety of surfaces. To find the best one for your project, decide what type of finish you want and consider the weather conditions where you live.
The most common exterior paints are acrylic, latex and oil-based. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, depending on the environment and aesthetic preferences. Latex paints are water-based and dries quickly, but they’re not as durable as oil-based paint. Oil-based paints bind to wood and other organic surfaces, but they are prone to cracking and fading. They are also toxic when dissolved in solvents such as mineral spirits and turpentine.
Acrylic paints are durable and flexible, allowing them to expand and contract with the changes in temperature. They are a good choice for most siding and can be used on concrete and stucco as well.
Whatever type of exterior paint you choose, it is important to use high-quality products and prepare the surface before applying it. A good primer will help the paint bond with the surface and prevent peeling and stains. Once the surface is ready to be painted, it should be clean and dry. Then, a good quality sealer should be applied to protect the finished product from the elements. A quality sealer will also keep moisture from absorbing into the paint, causing mold and mildew. It will also reduce the amount of time it takes for the paint to start to deteriorate.
When it comes to exterior painting, the right techniques can make all the difference. From choosing the right materials and equipment to understanding how different tools work, it takes a lot more than a brush or roller to pull off a great paint job. Luckily, rapid advancements in technology are benefitting homeowners in the form of innovative paints and power sprayers. These new tools are making the job easier for both homeowners and contractors, and they’re helping to create more beautiful homes.
Before you even start thinking about applying a coat of paint, it’s important to make sure the surface is clean. Paint does not adhere well to dirty or rough surfaces, and it will also look less smooth. For best results, use a pressure washer to remove any dirt and chalky residue from the surface you are planning to paint. You will also want to fill in any nail holes, gouges, or cracks with a suitable exterior-grade putty, and sand it once it has dried.
Once the surface is clean and ready to be painted, a good primer will help the topcoat of paint to adhere to the surface. It will also soak into the pores of the wood and help to protect it from moisture and the sun’s UV rays. A quality primer will also help to reduce the number of coats needed for a good finish.
If your home was built before 1978, you should have an inspector test for lead-based or oil-based paints prior to your painting project. These older paints can cause serious health issues, including brain damage and cognitive problems. Oil-based paints can also be difficult to remove, and you should only consider painting over them with latex-based paint.
A power sprayer is one of the most popular new exterior painting tools, and it can make a big difference in how fast and thoroughly you get your project done. It allows you to cover larger areas in a fraction of the time that would be required with a brush or roller, and it provides a much more consistent, high-quality result.
Choosing the right sheen for your exterior painting is all about striking the right balance between aesthetics and practicality. Sheens differ in their ability to hide surface imperfections and their durability against moisture and dirt. Low-luster flat paints are non-reflective and are ideal for hiding imperfections, while satin and eggshell have a small amount of sheen that’s easy to clean. Glossier finishes can be more reflective, and may be a good choice when you’re looking to make a bold design statement.
Regardless of sheen, it’s essential that your paint job lasts. This means not only getting quality products, but also having it professionally applied. Exterior painting is a large undertaking, and although some products claim to cover in one coat, it just can’t hold up to 24-hour weather exposure for long without requiring a second coating.
In addition, the way in which your paint dries depends on the weather conditions and temperature at the time of application. This can have a significant impact on the quality of your finish and how well it protects against destructive UV rays.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to have exterior painting done in the spring or fall when the weather is most temperate. A professional will be able to ensure that your paint dries properly and has adequate protection against weather extremes.
Another important consideration when selecting an exterior paint is its chemical composition. Oil-based paints release volatile organic compounds (VOC) as they dry, which are harmful to your health and can contaminate the environment. Latex paints are water-based, and they don’t produce VOCs or have the same odor as oil-based paints.
When it comes to sheen, the choice isn’t as stark as it used to be. There are now many different exterior paint formulas available, including high-performance options that offer increased opacity, weather resistance, and durability. These paints are usually made from acrylic resins and binders with pigments that have been blended to create the desired look. They also have additives to control things like opacity, dry time, and mildew resistance.
