The interior of a house can be easily painted all year round. However, the same cannot be said for painting the exterior of a house. Unfortunately, the success of such a project tends to be at the mercy of the weather, and you will need to work around it.
Fortunately, there are several tips that can make the process of painting a house’s exterior much easier, which are relied upon by professionals such as Scott Anson Painters and Decorators Ltd.
Pay Attention to Moisture, Temperature and Humidity
Many people decide to paint the outside of their house during the summer, but there are still temperature guidelines to be followed. If it is too hot, the paint will not bind properly to the surface, leading to cracking and peeling. It is important to check the label of the paint being used, but generally, around 21°C (or 70°F) is a good temperature.
Humidity will also play a role in how the paint behaves. If the humidity level is high, the paint can take longer to dry and cure properly. A humidity level of 50% is ideal for painting outdoors.
Paint should only be applied to dry surfaces. When painting outdoors, you always run the risk of the surface getting wet. Aside from humidity, moisture could come from rainfall or even dew that has formed overnight. Check the wall before starting to paint; if it feels wet, do not paint the surface and wait for it to dry out.
If you are painting a porous surface and have recently had rain, wait at least a full day after the wet weather to paint, even if the surface feels dry.
Follow the Shade
When painting in the summer the sun is likely to be out, so painting in the shade will make the task much easier. To do this, start painting on the shady side of the building, and follow the shade as the sun moves across the sky. Direct sunlight can increase the temperature of the surface you are painting by up to fifteen degrees, which can change how the paint behaves.
Complement the Landscape
Summer is one of the best times of year to choose a paint colour that will complement the landscape. Plants are in bloom and the trees are at their fullest, so there is no better time to pick a colour. Before starting, make sure that your chosen shade will complement the rest of your property and the landscape that it sits in.