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House painting 101: What to look out for in an exterior paint

house painting

There are plenty of options available when you or your house painting specialist select exterior paint for your property. Painting a room can be stressful, but picking paint colours for the outside of your house can be pretty frightening. In addition, it’s a house painting substantial task that requires time, money, and physical presence. Fortunately, following a few well-thought-out procedures will help you finish the job. 

If you’re thinking of getting involved in some house painting on your property’s exterior, here we will go through what you should look for in exterior paint to get the best job done for your home.

House Painting and Paint Durability

When it comes to house painting, how well and long an exterior paint will last with the elements of nature depends on its durability. So whether you’re planning to spend a lot of money painting your home or hiring someone else, you want to be sure it will last. 

Independent consumer testing publications run tests on coatings that simulate years of exposure to the elements. Also, the outcomes can provide you with a reliable indicator of the anticipated longevity of any paint, provided they are coming from a reliable, unbiased source.

When buying, you should always consider how long the manufacturer will stand by their product. This is because you don’t have access to the results of one of these tests. 

Paint manufacturers know that people re-paint their homes on average every seven years. Because of this, assuming that any paint will survive for 20 to 30 years, let alone a lifetime, as many of the labels state, is nothing more than a marketing trick. It is critical to note that warranty durations reveal varying degrees of coating quality. 

Light Vs Dark 

The appearance of exterior paint colours might vary depending on a home’s size. The front of a house might become weighed down by dark exterior paint, making it appear small and depressing. Lighten the accents to balance the rich colour. White is a common colour for large estates. Bright colours accentuate a home’s intricacies and make a building appear larger. Therefore, thinking about your home and the feeling you want to give it is essential when house painting.

Determine The Neighbourhood’s Style 

The design of a house might influence the paint colours used on it. The surrounding area may have ideas for potential exterior paint colours. A vibrant hue won’t do if Victorian homes are the predominant architecture in the region. Exuberant pastel collections are not the best choice if the neighbourhood has more ranch-style homes. When selecting exterior paint colours, start by considering the architectural style of the nearby houses.

Consider Your Own Home For Guidance 

Indoor colours can influence exterior colour schemes. This covers the foundation, window trim, and roof (be sure to do any room repairs before painting) materials. They have a big impact on the home’s paint colour selection. Avoid choosing a trendy hue that clashes with what is currently there. 

When house painting, choose exterior paint colours that complement the colour schemes already utilised within a house. For example, the choice of exterior paint colours might be influenced by the colour of a home’s furniture.

Protection of Colour and Gloss 

Paint’s binder and pigment can deteriorate under direct sunlight, which can cause it to chalk up and lose its sheen. As a result, all paints eventually lose part of their colour and gloss. Still, lower-grade paints tend to do so more quickly than higher-grade paints. 

The worst are oil-based paints and latex paints that aren’t entirely acrylic. To be safe, use mid-grade 100% acrylic paint.

Better Coverage

With fewer coats, high-quality paint provides better coverage of the existing wall colour. Some premium home paints even include priming qualities, so covering prior colours can be achieved with just one layer. Those with high coverage are the most effective exterior paints for hiding hidden faults, such as minor dents or scratches on the siding. High-quality paint should only need up to two coats to finish the job with a properly prepared surface and appropriate primer.

Applies Evenly 

Neither too thin nor too thick is suitable for exterior paint. The application should be straightforward since it should flow smoothly. Thin paints tend to run when applied, while thick paints may clump or drip if they don’t dry evenly and smoothly in a few brush strokes. Higher-grade paint has fewer paint splatters coming off the brush or roller.

Consider The Visual Impact You Desire 

Think about how your house fits in with the surrounding scenery and street. Does it stand back from the road, or do tall, majestic trees surround it? To make it stand out, pick a slightly lighter or brighter hue. A darker shade may give the impression that it is advanced. 

Choose a Few Paint Colours When House Painting 

There are three main components to an exterior colour scheme:

  • The field colour takes centre stage.
  • The accent colour lends life to doors, shutters, and other smaller spaces.
  • The trim colour is applied to window and door casings, roof edging, railings, and other trim.

Although some designers choose minimalistic colour schemes with just one or two colours for a modern look, the trim colour should stand out sharply from the field colour. 

Consider using traditional white trim or another light colour if your main colour is dark. With darker trim, a light field colour can look great; like eyeliner for your house, it creates a strong, dramatic impact. Use vivid accent colours, but refrain from going crazy. A door painted in vivid colours like red or lemon yellow offers the ideal accent. However, applying the same colour to the roof and shutters might be excessive.

Never Rely On Paint Chips 

Exterior colours might differ dramatically from how they appear on the chip, just like interior colours can. You’ll want to get them right the first time because painting an exterior requires more work than merely painting a room. 

Get a quart of paint and test it in a hidden spot around your house. Examine it throughout the day and in all kinds of weather. How does it alter as the light changes? The only surefire way to know if you’ll be content with it for years is to put it through a road test.


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