With the onset of the summer season, you are probably looking forward to painting your house. To make your cozy abode look more appealing and lively, coloring it is perhaps one of the best solutions. Updating the look of your house makes it attractive and increases its market value.
Typically, most contractors provide painting services to help you avoid excessive trouble. For instance, A Perfect Finish Painting provides both interior and exterior house painting services. This article covers five important tips you need to be aware of while repainting your house in summer.
Benefits of painting your house in summer
The relevant warm temperature during summer is appropriate for coloring. This is because the heat makes it easier for the surfaces to dry quickly.
This reduces the amount of time required to prepare the surface before priming and painting. Due to the warm temperatures, what might take weeks of work will be finished within days.
In addition, the pigments present in paint tend to expand during the summer due to the heated air. This results in the paint, typically oil paints, becoming thinner. This makes them suitable for application on the surface directly.
Moreover, the excessive smell that lingers after the painting is reduced in summer. Again, this happens as a result of the quick-drying of painted areas due to warm air.
5 tips to properly paint your house in summer
Although the summer season is a considerably good time to paint your house, you need to keep certain tips in mind. Some of the significant tips are mentioned below.
- Keep tabs on the weather
The temperature and humidity are high during hot temperatures. It is best to avoid painting in severe heat as it may cause more harm than good. Before deciding to paint, check the weather for the day.
Typically a temperature around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32~33 degrees Celsius) is ideal for coloring the exteriors of the house. Avoid painting at a temperature above 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, ensure the humidity level is somewhere between 40-70%. The higher the humidity is, the longer it will take for the painted surface to dry.
Finally, ensure you’ve thoroughly checked the weather forecast for the day. Sometimes, due to increased heat, it showers during the summer season. Resist painting on such days as rains can damage the painted areas and make it difficult to repaint the surfaces.
- Prepare the surface area thoroughly
It is important to prepare the interior and exterior surfaces before painting. Thoroughly clean the walls and nearby sidings for molds, mildews, and algae accumulation. Use diluted bleach to clean the accumulation of fungus on the interior and exteriors of your house.
Using a power washer with an attached hose is recommended as the air pressure makes it easier to clean the stubborn residues. Clean thoroughly with water once again to remove dirt and dust residues.
In addition to this, make sure the surface areas are suitable for painting. Most of the time, old paint is not removed before painting the new coats. This results in chipping and peeling of the surface in the long run.
Additionally, make sure to fix the dents, holes, and other imperfections on the walls and sidings. For example, replace the damaged windows, doors, etc., to be painted and fix improper sidings by caulking. Moreover, use putty to fix the dents on the walls.
- Select good quality paints
Another important factor that makes it worth the cost of applying is the quality of the paints. Do not buy cheap quality paints to avoid extra cost. High-quality paints and primers protect the walls and lead to their longevity.
Good quality paints do not fade away quickly due to higher quality pigments used in them. There is also lower chipping, peeling, and flaking of such paints and primers.
During the summer season, paints tend to dry quickly due to extreme temperatures. Make sure to maintain the moisture by thinning down the paint. Add water or thinner in small batches based on the type of paint.
Avoid adding thinners to the large batches of paint as it may cause over-thinning. Use an ice bath for paint cans and trays if necessary to avoid evaporation of moisture.
- Start painting from the shaded area
When the temperature and humidity conditions are suitable enough to paint, you can begin the work starting from the interiors. The inside-out painting process will create less hassle.
Make sure to paint the exteriors only when the entire house is painted from the inside. Avoid applying paints on surfaces that have been standing in extreme heat for a long time.
It is ideal to start the process in the morning, as the temperatures are not so harsh during this period. Start by first priming and then coating with paints under the shades and move towards other shaded areas.
Doing this will make sure you are not painting surfaces exposed to direct sunlight. Moreover, this technique will ensure the areas you’ve painted dry better once the sun rays shift throughout the day.
- Make sure the paints complement your house
Summer is perhaps the best season to know what colors suit your house the best. Generally, vibrant colors matching the green plants and blooming flowers on the outside of your house are a good option for exteriors.
Ensure that the colors complement the design and structure of your home. Typically cool tones are best suitable for interiors such as bedrooms, living rooms, ceilings, etc.
For kitchen and nearby areas, opt for emulsified paints. This will ensure no chipping, fading, or peeling occurs due to smoke and heat.
For modernization, you can opt to paint one side of the wall in a darker shade compared to the remaining three. This will highlight the interior and make it look more appealing.
Conclusion
It is necessary to plan and prepare as painting your house can turn out to be a valuable investment. When selecting the contractor, ensure that you have checked their credentials and experience.
