Brick, Wood, or Vinyl? Summer Exterior Painting Tips for Richmond’s Most Common Exteriors
Posted on July 8, 2025
Whether you live in a historic brick home in The Fan, a classic Colonial, or a modern vinyl-sided house, a fresh coat of paint can dramatically improve your home’s curb appeal. Every kind of exterior material comes with its own quirks, especially when it comes to the warmest months in the year. Summer’s mix of heat and humidity can cause exterior surfaces to fade, stain, and even grow mildew or mold.
At CertaPro Painters® of NW Richmond & Midlothian, VA, we tailor our approach to your home’s specific exterior material, so here’s how we handle our area’s most common exteriors:
Brick
Brick is naturally porous, meaning if its not properly sealed, it can trap moisture from summer storms. To combat this, we tend to paint fully cured or dry brick, using breathable, high-quality masonry paint that won’t trap moisture underneath. Avoiding moisture build up also starts during prep, ensuring the painting surface is properly power washed and addressing any existing mildew or mold buildup.
Wood
Summer humidity can cause wood to swell and the sun’s intense UV rays can break down old paint quickly. When starting a painting project on a wood exterior, we thoroughly scrape and sand peeling or cracked areas. Next, we apply a premium primer so that exterior paint properly adheres to the wood. We recommend using paint that is formulated with UV-resistance in mind while applying the paint in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid mid-day sun exposure.
Vinyl
Vinyl exteriors can warp under extreme heat and not all paint adheres well to vinyl. This means that we have to use specialty paints that are formulated for vinyl surfaces. Typically, these products have the ability to expand and contract when vinyl siding undergoes temperature changes. When choosing a color, we recommend choosing a color that matches your current paint color or one that’s lighter than the original to avoid any heat-related warping.
No matter what material your home exterior is made of, it’s best to consult a professional painter before undertaking an exterior painting project. For years, the painting crews at CertaPro Painters® of NW Richmond & Midlothian, VA have painted all kinds of exterior surfaces, using the best primers and paints on the market. Schedule your free estimate today to get started!
