Common Questions When Considering Painting Your Home’s Exterior
Posted on May 16, 2024
With the warm days ahead, it’s the perfect time to refresh your home’s exterior. An exterior painting project not only enhances your home’s aesthetic but also protects it from elements. When approaching an exterior paint project for your home, our customers in Raleigh often have several questions that come up. Here, we address the three queries that might be on your mind too when thinking about painting your house’s exterior:
- To Brush or Spray?
Brushing and spraying each have their merits. Spraying offers a smoother finish and reduces the likelihood of mildew development in brush strokes. However, it requires meticulous masking to avoid overspray. At CertaPro Painters® of North Raleigh, NC, we typically use a combination of spraying for large flat areas like siding, with brushing or rolling for trim, windows, and doors to ensure thorough coverage and precision.
- Caulk or Not to Caulk Siding Joints?
While some manufacturers recommend against caulking butt joints on Hardi-Plank during initial installation due to a protective moisture barrier, it has become common practice to caulk for aesthetic reasons. Our experience has shown that while caulking can improve appearance initially, temperature fluctuations can cause the caulk to crack as it ages. We recommend not to caulk butt ends of siding, during the repaint process and to remove the currently failing caulk for longer durability and aesthetic appeal. All other caulk joints on the home should be re-caulked where failure has occurred.
- Satin or Flat Sheen for Exterior Siding?
The choice between satin and flat finishes often comes down to a balance between aesthetics and durability. Most of our customers feel the look of flat sheen on their home is more elegant and appealing so they choose flat, over the durability factors of a satin sheen paint. Satin finishes are more durable against the North Carolina sun, making it easier for rain to wash away debris and reducing mold risk. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preference and the specific needs of your home which our team can help you to determine.
At CertaPro Painters® of North Raleigh, NC, we take pride in our comprehensive approach—from careful preparation to the final details—ensuring your home not only looks great but is well-protected.
