Normally in Houston, we don’t have to worry about it ever being too cold to do anything, but those cool and wet Houston winters still affect when we can and can’t start large painting projects. Most Houston house painting is done between the temperatures of 50 and 90 degrees. Now that it’s finally started to heat up, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about doing some exterior cleaning along with the annual dusting of the shelves, raiding of the junk drawers, and other spring rituals. If your house isn’t looking its best, it might be time for new exterior house painting for Spring with a coat of paint to spruce it up for springtime.
Know What You’re Getting Into
Repainting a house is not an easy task. The exterior of your house is not only the first but often the only thing that people will see of your dwelling, and it should be looking great to make that first impression. Whether you want to impress your friends or just avoid the dirty looks at the HOA meeting this month, a fresh coat of paint is the best way to start. However, getting to that point can still be a hassle.
Paint is tricky. There are quite a few varieties, and they all have their own advantages and disadvantages. Whether oil-based or water-based, it’s hard to know exactly what kind to use on your project. It’s worth noting before getting in too deep that painting a house can be a very large project to take on by yourself. Instead, you’ll probably want to enlist the help of a top Houston painting company.
Scrape By
When it comes to exterior house painting in Spring, before you ever lay paint to wood, you’re going to need to put down your paint brush and pick up a scraper that can get all of the current loose paint off the surface without damaging the wood underneath. Paint over paint is a guaranteed way to get peeling and if you’re painting this spring you will likely not feel up to repainting again in a few months. After scraping off the loose paint, it’s a good idea to find a sander that can smooth down any rough spots on your boards. 80 grit is a good strength to start with.
After you’ve gotten the current paint stripped off, masking or painter’s tape should be applied to all the outside areas and fixtures that you wouldn’t want to accidentally cover with a thick layer of your vibrant new color. Once you’ve masked off the fixtures, it’s time for a coat of primer. A good primer can make the difference between whether or not your project stands the test of time.
Primed & Ready
When painting in humid Houston, a good idea is to find a primer that lists mold repellent attributes on the label. The luster of the primer should make any chips or dents in the wood readily apparent so use that opportunity to grab some putty or caulk and fill in anything keeping your wood from being as smooth and water tight as it can be.
Water-based latex paint dries quicker, cleans up easier, and is easier to apply than oil-based. Apply your paint with your preferred application method. If the color is no darker than off-white or cream then you can probably get away with one good coat. The less paint that bonds to paint, the less likely it is that you’ll have peeling in the future. If going for a darker or richer color, then try to stick to no more than two coats.
Too Much
If at any point, you find yourself overwhelmed, overworked, and out of breath, feel free to call in the professionals. Pro Painters is a full-service painting company that can help you out on any project that needs people who know what they’re doing. No job is too big or too small for our team. Best of luck on your project, and we hope this information helped.
