How to Paint the Exterior of Your Home

How to Paint the Exterior of Your Home

Painting the exterior of your house is a major project that requires very planning and meticulous execution. In many cases, it may be best to seek the services of a qualified painting contractor, as they have the necessary training and invaluable experience to do the job right. To find the best contractor, simply ask around. Chances are your neighbors, friends and family have used a painter in the past and may be able to provide a good recommendation. The Internet can be a good place to read reviews from previous clients. If you do decide to do the job yourself, it is absolutely vital to plan every detail of the project in advance in order to carry out a successful paint job.

One of the first things to do is decide what color scheme you want to use to paint the house exterior. Take a walk around the neighborhood to get ideas for color combinations you like, or search the Internet for images of homes that appeal to you. Take into consideration the color scheme of the houses immediately surrounding you, and try not to choose colors that clash but rather those that complement your neighbors' homes.

Once the all-important colors are chosen, it's time to estimate how much paint you will need to paint the outside of your home. Calculate the area of the walls to be painted and definitely plan on buying plenty of extra paint. It is much better to have too much paint than not enough. Besides, you will want unused paint for touch-ups over time. We can't say this enough: don't be cheap when it comes to the quality of paint. Most people are surprised at how costly good paint can be, but it is better to buy quality paint at a slightly higher price than purchase cheap paint at a low price. Why? Think about why you are painting your house in the first place. Because you want it to look good! The high quality paint will definitely look better, withstand weather better and in general just last longer.

You also must make sure you have all of the necessary equipment. This includes brushes, rollers, ladders, buckets, rags, plastic covering, etc. Make a list before going to the hardware store. It is also a good idea to pick up some caulk as this is a good time to make sure your home is properly sealed. Drop cloths and painter tape are also important to cover the ground, landscaping and other items to protect them from accidental spills. Be a good neighbor while you're at it be sure to cover and protect their bushes and property.

Once you think you're all set and ready to start painting the exterior of your home, stop and go through your preparations one last time. Take your time, and even consider practicing before starting if you don't have that much experience painting. Above all make sure you pay attention to the details. Patience combined with careful planning is very often the difference between a finely painted exterior and a shoddy job that needs to be redone.