Should I Paint my House this Fall?

Posted on August 25, 2020

While you’re outside enjoying the newly crisp weather, and a crack in your house paint reveals itself. With autumn clearly set in and the weather steadily heading downhill, what do you do? House painting in fall seems risky, but you could be asking should I paint my house this fall?

There is no simple answer. There are factors to take into consideration. If winter is rolling in like a lion, it might not be the best time. But if winter is heading in more subtly, there could be plenty of time to get an exterior paint job completed. How do you know if it’s necessary?

Here are some signs to look for.

Paintcartoon of painting interior wall

Latex house paint is best used with temperatures between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Some manufacturers have released paints on the market that allow usage into lower temperatures. Some of them boast good results with the mercury as low as 35 degrees. Even with the winter temperatures coming in, you could still get a good results in your exterior paint job.

Scheduling

Fall weather can be a bit more unpredictable, but it’s still possible to get an exterior job completed. Because we are further out of traditional painting season, crews have more availability to get to your job. As another benefit, the lag between estimates and production from summer are now gone. This means your job can be moved through the process more swiftly.

Plan Ahead

Watch the upcoming weather before your exterior painting begins. Our pros say that ⅔ of the work is done before a can of paint is cracked. Washing, repairing and preparation all take a considerable amount of time. If temperatures and precipitation look viable, start your work. Know that if the temperatures get too cold, you’ll have to allow extra dry time both from moisture at cleaning and between coats.

Interior

While exterior painting might be more risky, that doesn’t mean all painting is off the table. Fall tends to be the perfect time to begin an interior painting project. If you’re inside, you can easily regulate the humidity and temperatures. As you prepare for family dinners and holiday hosting, now is a great time to put a crisp, clean color on the walls.

If you have concerns about the condition of your home’s exterior paint, have our pros evaluate the condition of it. We are happy to provide you a free, in-home estimate to discuss your needs.