Before You Pick Up Your Brush

• Check your weather forecast
• Strip off old paint and fill in any cracks
• Get the right primer
• Swatch your paint
• Mix your paint before pouring

You’ve heard it said a million times: “old homes have character.” Well, that’s a lie. Old homes don’t have character; well-kept homes do. There’s nothing appealing about peeling paint and overgrown lawns. 

Houses are just like people; they need maintenance to look good. And the best aesthetic care you could give your house is a paint job.

But house exterior painting is not a job for amateurs. You need to be properly prepared before picking up a paintbrush, or you could end up making your home look like a Halloween disaster.

Whether you’re considering DIY home painting to lean into your artistic side or you’re just trying to save money, this article is your quick guide to professional house painting.

Step One: Check Weather Conditions

Poor weather conditions can easily damage your exterior paint job. To avoid trouble with your painting, follow these tips:

• Don’t paint immediately after rain or during stormy weather.
• Don’t paint when the temperature is below 50°F or above 85°F.
• Don’t paint when humidity levels are below 60%

Step 2: Inspect & Prep

Go around the house and inspect the condition of the paint and woodwork. Before you start painting, you must repair damaged woodwork, strip off cracked or peeling paint, and clean dirty surfaces. 

Next, you need to fill in holes or cracks in the walls with high-quality exterior-grade filler and sand any rough areas. Cover windows and doors with plastic sheets and tape to avoid getting paint on them. 

Finally, before painting, apply a coat of primer. This prep work ensures that the new paint goes on smoothly.

Step Three: Choose Your Paint & Tools

Before considering the color or cost of paint, you should first consider the area you will be painting. Water-based paints like acrylic latex paint are better for exterior walls because they are more resistant to peeling and fading than oil-based paint. 

They are also easier to work with and dry faster than oil-based paints, making them perfect for non-professionals. Oil-based paint is great for steps, railings, porch floors, and other high-impact areas.

It’s better to buy a high-quality paint brand like Sherwin-Williams, but lesser-known brands could work just as well and might be cheaper. Make sure you get your primer, topcoat, and paint from the same brand to ensure they work well together.

When picking your tools, choose brushes for detail work and rollers or sprayers to cover large areas like walls. Brushes and rollers are easier to use but take more time, while sprayers work fast but require some technical know-how to do a good job.

Step Four: Master Application Techniques

There are different painting techniques you can follow for flawless paintwork. To get the best results, follow these tips:

• Work vertically, starting from top to bottom
• Let each fresh stroke overlap the last one by 6 to 8 inches
• If you’re using a roller, roll it around in your paint tray first to make sure it’s evenly coated before applying
• If you’re using a sprayer, hold it 6 to 12 inches away from the wall to get an even spray
• Apply two coats of paint. Make sure the first coat is fully dry before applying the second

Step Five: Apply Finishing Touches & Cleanup

After the paint dries, remove the plastic sheet and tape from the windows and doors. Then you can paint the doors and woodwork to match or contrast the walls. Finally, you should clean your brushes or rollers thoroughly before storing them for next time.

Essential Tools and Materials

The tools you use could make or break your paintwork. While you don’t have to opt for expensive options, it’s always a good idea to get the highest-quality materials you can afford, to ensure your painting is perfect. Here are the essential tools you’ll need for painting your house exterior:

• Rollers: These are great for covering a wide space in a short time. They are easy to use and affordable, so they are a great option for non-professional painters.

  

• Brushes: The most popular types of brushes are angled brushes and foam brushes. Angled brushes are great for painting the corners and edges of walls where rollers can’t properly cover. Foam brushes are disposable brushes that work best for applying thin coats on trim or woodwork.

  

• Sprayers: There are three common types of sprayers: airless sprayers, HVLP sprayers, and aerosol spray paint. 

  Airless sprayers shoot out paint at high pressure and cover large areas quickly and efficiently, making them perfect for house exterior painting. 

  HVLP sprayers work with lower pressure and are easier to control, making them perfect for painting doors, trim, and siding. 

  Aerosol spray paint can only cover small areas at low pressure, making it ideal for touch-ups and small projects.

  

• Paint Tray: If you’re working with brushes and rollers, you need a paint tray to carry paint to dip your brush or roller in while you work.

  

• Extension Poles: You can attach extension poles to your rollers to easily reach the top of walls when painting.

  

  Safety tools you might need:

  • Dust masks
  • Safety glasses
  • Drop cloths
  • Non-slip shoes

Common Painting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Choosing the wrong paint shade: Paint usually turns a different shade after it dries. To avoid painting your house the wrong shade, swatch different shades of your preferred color and see how each one looks after fully drying to get the right shade.
2. Not buying enough paint: To avoid buying too little or too much paint, use an online calculator to figure out how much paint you need.
3. Dripping and streaking paint: Using too much or too little paint in one stroke causes drips and streaks. To avoid this, dip your brush only halfway into the paint and tap off the excess before painting.
4. Not mixing paint before pouring: You need to mix your paint before pouring it into the paint tray. This is because color pigments and paint sheen naturally separate in the can. Not mixing causes the paint to look uneven once it’s dry.
5. Using the wrong primer: The wrong primer can cause your finished paintwork to crack or peel. You need to pick a primer based on the condition of the area you’re painting. For example, a stained wall needs a stain-blocking primer, while a porous wall needs a high-build sealing primer.

Pro Hacks for Durability & Curb Appeal

• Fix your roofing or replace your roof to enhance the curb appeal of your paintwork.
• Paint your trim before the walls to cover up any mistakes.
• Sand your walls in between each coat for a smoother finish.
• When painting wood, apply paint in the direction of the wood grain to make the paint last longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct sequence for painting a house?

Start with the walls and the trim, then finish with the windows and doors.

What is the best time of the day to paint a house?

Early mornings and evenings when the temperature is more moderate and the weather is cool.

Should you wet the roller before painting?

Yes. Wetting the roller helps it soak up more paint and give an even coat.

Upgrade Your Home

If you are ready to give your home a new look, you don’t need to call a professional. With the tips in this article, you can perform a much-needed cosmetic change on your house and give it an upgrade that will have your neighbours looking twice.

House painting is only one of many ways to improve your home’s exterior, but it’s an easy and cheap option. So grab your brush and start painting! Your home will thank you for it.