Painting your Home’s Exterior in Winter: 3 Tips

Exterior painting in the winter is a tricky predicament. While your afternoon can be perfectly sunny and warm, the early sunset causes temperatures to plummet. Mornings might be ok, or cold and dewy. Where is the line for painting? Here are 3 tips from our house painting pros for painting your home’s exterior in winter.

Paint technology has allowed for a more varied painting temperature ranges. Our pros always suggest painting when the ambient temperature outside is between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Does that mean you can paint during the winter? Maybe.

Product Choice

Paint has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Acrylic paints in particular allow for a good paint film to develop even in the colder months. Some brands boast that painting can be successfully done with temperatures as low as the 30s. Even with specialized paint, you should try to avoid painting when the mercury dips below 35° F. Make sure before you purchase anything you have checked the weather and the manufacturer recommendations to make sure they line up.

Warmth

Starting a project first thing in the morning can be tempting, but also can ruin your paint job if the day hasn’t warmed to an appropriate temperature. The house’s material, be it stucco, siding, or wood will take longer in the warmth to reach a paintable temperature. Giving the day some time to warm the house through will allow new paint a chance to cure. You’ll have a short window to paint in before the sun wanes and temps fall again.

Fluctuation

Try to avoid days where the mercury fluctuates wildly. Big changes in temperatures can cause dew to form on new paint. This leaves behind bubbles or droplets in the finish. Worse yet, the paint might not form a proper adherence to the surface and fall off. For areas with bit temperature changes from morning to night, try to get a paint that includes MoistureGuard technology. This helps the film form in about half the time and can protect your project.

Painting in peak seasons might be ideal, but don’t feel limited. While tricky, painting can be done in winter time. Do research and opt for products to assist with temperature fluctuations and you’re sure to get a great outcome even during the colder seasons. If you’re still not sure, schedule a free, in-home estimate to speak with our pros. They can advise you one-on-one about your painting.