An expert exterior painter can help you prevent wood rot, mildew and insect infestations while enhancing your home’s curb appeal. A quality job can even increase your home’s energy efficiency.
The best exterior paint is durable enough to withstand sun, wind, rain and snow. It should also be low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to reduce air pollution. Contact Anchorage Painters for professional help.
Painting the exterior of a house is a complex task. It requires special brushes, rollers and cutting-in techniques to ensure smooth, even coats of paint that last for years. It also takes a lot of time and energy to do correctly. That’s why it’s important to hire a professional with the right experience.
Exterior painters are trained to work efficiently and quickly to complete the project in a timely manner. They also have the skills and tools required to prepare surfaces for painting, including power washing, scraping, sanding, priming and caulking. They’ll also use high-quality paints that are designed to resist cracking, color change and mildew.
A high-quality paint job can make your home look new again and boost its curb appeal. It can also increase its value. If you’re looking to sell your home, a fresh coat of paint can help attract potential buyers. However, it’s important to remember that not all painting jobs are created equal. It’s important to choose a qualified contractor with a good reputation for quality workmanship and excellent customer service.
When choosing a contractor, it’s best to get multiple quotes. That way, you can compare prices and choose the one that best suits your budget. You should also take into account the level of workmanship and materials used. Some contractors may offer the lowest price, but they might not have the experience or quality of work that you’re looking for.
It’s also important to consider whether you need any repairs or other services before getting your home painted. Some common repairs that exterior painters may perform include replacing damaged siding, repairing cracks, removing wood rot and fixing stucco. They may also repair wood trim, caulk and windows.
A quality exterior paint job can last up to ten years, provided it’s properly maintained. It’s important to clean it regularly to remove dirt, mold and mildew. It’s also a good idea to replace the paint every five or six years to extend its lifespan.
Preparation
We’d all love to have a pristinely painted home that looks like it belongs on the cover of a design magazine. However, getting to that level of curb appeal takes more than just choosing the right paint colors. It requires proper preparation, which is one of the biggest challenges when painting a home.
The first thing a professional exterior painter will do is remove the smaller objects, such as trash bins and furniture, from the areas they will be working on. They will also cover shrubs, flowers and other plants to protect them from paint drips and spills. They may also use landscaping staples or 2×4 boards to hold plastic sheeting or drop cloths in place.
Next, the surface will be sanded and scraped. This is a tedious and time-consuming task, but it is necessary to ensure that the new paint adheres to the existing surface. Skipping this step can result in flaking and peeling later on. This is why it’s important to choose a painting contractor that values this part of the process and will include it in their estimate.
Once the surfaces have been sanded and scraped, they will be washed with a cleaning product, such as Soy Gel Professional Paint Remover, to get rid of any dirt and debris. Once the surface is clean, a masonry sealer or primer will be applied to the wood to prevent water penetration and staining. This will also give the new coat of paint a better foundation for adhesion and longevity.
Finally, the area will be inspected for any rotten or damaged areas that need to be repaired before the finish is applied. If there are any problems, such as loose plaster or wood, the pro will fix them now to avoid costly repairs down the road.
Another factor to consider is the weather. Rain and humidity will delay the curing of a fresh coat of paint, which can cause it to blister. It’s a good idea to plan your project during a month that has three weekends of clear, dry weather to ensure the best results.
Choosing the Right Paint
The choice of paint color is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your home. In addition to protecting the structure and elevating curb appeal, paint can reflect your personality and style. But with so many options available, making the right choice can be intimidating. Fortunately, there are some guidelines you can follow to help you choose the best colors for your exterior paint.
Choosing the right paint requires you to take into account the unpainted natural surfaces on your building’s exterior, such as brick or stone. These materials are often difficult and expensive to change, so they should be considered when deciding on your exterior paint color. A good rule of thumb is to select a shade that shares an undertone or coordinates well with the brick or stone on your home. Alternatively, you can also opt for a lighter shade that will contrast with the brick or stone and stand out.
It’s also important to consider the surrounding area and neighborhood when selecting your paint color. While you may want your building to stand out, you don’t want it to clash with the color of neighboring homes. In addition, if the buildings in the area are painted in neutral colors, going too bright can make your building look like an eyesore.
A professional interior painter will know what type of paint is best for your project and have experience working with different brands. They understand the differences in sheen and coverage, how each paint holds up to environmental conditions, and how to achieve crisp lines at corners and edges. Additionally, they will use the highest quality materials that are specifically designed for exterior painting projects.
Whether you’re designing for a new construction home or updating an existing property, it’s important to have a mockup that showcases your paint colors before the project is completed. This allows you to see how your color will look in person and make adjustments before it’s applied to the entire surface. Creating a mockup is particularly important if you are choosing a dark color. Dark colors absorb more sunlight and can raise a room’s temperature. Lighter shades reflect sunrays back outdoors, which can lower a room’s temperature and save energy.
Safety
The paints used for exterior painting can produce toxic vapors when they are dry and can lead to health problems if the vapors are inhaled for long periods of time. These chemicals can cause irritation to the eyes, throat and respiratory system and may even be harmful to the liver and kidneys. In addition, the chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and cause severe chemical burns if the skin comes into contact with them.
In order to protect their health, painters must follow strict safety guidelines when working on projects. They must be sure to wear proper clothing and use the right equipment for each task. This includes safety goggles to protect the eyes from splashes and other contaminants, gloves to protect their hands from harsh chemicals and tools, and a respirator or mask to filter out hazardous fumes. They must also make sure to keep the work area clean, putting away tools and clearing any hazards that could trip people up.
Other safety measures that should be taken into account include proper ventilation, especially in confined spaces, and the use of fire-resistant protective gear when working with flammable substances. It is also important to have a system in place for storing and disposing of all paints and solvents. Lastly, it is essential to have signs posted warning bystanders to stay out of the work area.
While the aforementioned tips are helpful for those who are considering taking on a DIY house painting project, it is always best to leave professional home painting to experts who have the knowledge, experience and equipment to ensure that your paint job looks great and lasts for years to come. The job requires a lot of effort and patience to get it right, but the results are worth it when you have a beautiful, high-quality paint job on your home.
It is also important to understand how the cost of an exterior painting project works so that you can be prepared for what to expect when hiring a company. The main elements that will need to be painted are the siding, trim and eaves/soffits. The siding will generally make up 40 to 60% of the total cost, with trim and eaves/soffits making up the remainder.