Mardis: 4 tips for painting your home in colder weather

Kelly Mardis, owner of Marcel Painting

Marcel Painting

Painting your home during the colder part of the year requires careful planning to ensure the best result. Colder weather provides additional challenges when it comes to painting your home such as slower drying times, but through proper preparation and using the right techniques you can still achieve a great finish to your home. Here are four tips you can use to paint your home this winter:

Choose the right paint

Not all paints are suited for use in colder weather. Standard exterior paints are usually designed to be applied when the temperature outside is at least 50 degrees or higher. Some manufacturers offer cold-weather paint, but it is still best to wait for the weather to warm up a bit and use the higher degree paint for better results. Always read the labels on the paint cans carefully and choose paints suited for the weather you will be painting in. If you are unsure what paint to use always contact a professional so you don’t waste money on a product you can’t use.

Monitor the weather

Even after choosing cold-weather paint, it is still important to pay attention to the weather. Always avoid painting the outside of your home when there is any risk of rain, frost, sleet or snow. These weather events can easily ruin your project. Plan your painting when the weather will be dry, sunny and ideally a bit warmer outside for at least three to four days. Also, try to paint during the warmest part of the day, usually between late morning and mid-afternoon. This will allow the paint time to set before the temperatures drop when the sun goes down.

Prepare the surface

Prepping the surface is a critical step no matter what time of year you are painting your home. During the winter moisture is a common issue so make sure the surface is completely dry before applying paint. Scrape off any peeling paint and debris. Sand any rough spots and if possible, power wash your home to remove dirt and grime from the surface. Preparing the surface properly will allow the paint to adhere and dry properly without any sagging.

Apply thin coats

During the colder months, thick coats of paint will not dry evenly and will lead to runs and sagging. When painting your home in the winter always apply thin coats and allow enough time for the paint to fully dry before applying the next coat. Cold temperatures slow down drying times, so be patient. If unsure about drying times check with the manufacturer for recommended times based on the temperature and humidity levels in your area.
Following these few easy tips will allow you to successfully paint your home even during the colder months of the year. With the right paint and preparation, your home can have a smooth professional coat of paint no matter the weather.

Marcel Painting, https://www.marcelpainting.com/ , has been serving the greater Phoenix area for almost two decades with residential and commercial painting services.