Are you looking to spruce up the exterior of your home, but not quite sure of the best time to tackle that endeavor? Maybe you are wondering if it is even worth putting the time, effort, and money into the project.
Painting the exterior of your home is a huge undertaking. Before you get started, you need to make sure you take the time to research all the ins and outs of a successful exterior paint job.
Painting the exterior of your home is more than just giving your house a fresh, updated look. If you are questioning whether the task is worth the cost, time, and energy, the answer is a resounding yes! A fresh coat of paint not only makes your house stand out, but also increases the value of your home and protects your home from natural elements.
Now that you have decided to take the plunge, let's talk about the best time of year to paint the outside of your home.
Can You Paint Your Home’s Exterior in the Fall?
When thinking about the timing of when to paint the exterior of your home, you want to think more about the weather conditions of your area and less about the season. There are a few factors with the weather and natural elements you want to think about:
1. Temperature
Most manufacturers recommend a minimum outside temperature for their paint products. The higher the quality paint, the more flexible the range of the outside temperature. It may serve you well to spend a little extra money on a higher-quality paint product.
You want to paint when the temperature does not vary drastically. Paint does not dry well when temperatures have a wide range between the high and the low temperatures throughout a twenty-four-hour period. You need a more stable temperature range when painting the outside of your home.
You also want to be careful of extreme temperatures. Paint does not dry evenly or cure properly in extreme temperatures. Please check with the paint manufacturer for temperature recommendations.
2. Moisture and Humidity in the Air
Paint should only be applied to a dry surface. If weather conditions consist of rain or snow, you should wait at least a full day before painting. Your house may look dry or feel dry to the touch, but it may be wet under the surface.
You will also want to be cautious with dew and humidity. The morning or evening dew and the intense humidity can cause the outside of your home to be damp. It is important to confirm the outside of your home is dry, because moisture and humidity can affect the application and durability of the paint.
3. Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight is another factor to consider. You do not want to paint the exterior of your home while the sun is shining directly on the area of the house you are painting.
Direct sunlight can cause paint to dry as soon as it is applied, resulting in the paint curing prematurely. You will want to time the painting of each section of your home with the location of where the sun isn’t directly shining.
Can You Paint Your Home’s Exterior in the Fall?
So, can you paint your home’s exterior in the fall? Absolutely, depending on where you live. Based on all the information above, fall is an excellent time in eastern Tennessee to give your home’s exterior a facelift.
Fall temperatures are typically warm and somewhat consistent. There is usually low to no rain or snow, and low humidity in the fall months. And the sun is not at its peak during the fall season, so you don’t have to worry about direct sunlight.
Most people seem to think summer or spring are better months for exterior painting. However, in the spring, you need to be cautious with those rainy afternoons. And the humidity, extreme heat, and direct sunlight make it a little difficult to take care of exterior painting in the summer. This makes fall the ideal time to paint the exterior of your home.
One Very Important Step Before You Paint the Exterior of Your Home
One very important step in making sure you have the most amazing paint job is to make sure your house is free of all dust, dirt, grime, and mildew. You are going to want to pressure wash your home to prepare it for its new paint job. You can always rent a pressure washer to take on the chore yourself, or you can hire a professional.
Check us out at Cates Pressure Washing if you are interested in receiving a price quote to have your home pressure washed by professionals. We offer professional and quality work at affordable rates, and we offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee to all our customers.
Pressure washing is the perfect way to make sure your home’s exterior is ready to paint. And remember, don’t forget to allow plenty of time for your house to dry after you have it pressure washed, before you line up painting.
