Many homeowners don’t realize how much their home’s exterior paint job can impact the value of the property. That’s why it’s important to hire a professional exterior painter.
Besides making your home look great, an exterior painter can help protect it from the elements. They’ll also know how to apply high-quality paint to all your surfaces and how to use the tools you need.
Preparation
Preparing a surface for painting is one of the most important steps in ensuring that paint adheres properly to it and provides a long-lasting, attractive finish. This involves cleaning, sanding, fixing surfaces that need repair, and using primer in order to ensure a durable paint job.
Whether you're repainting your home or painting the exterior of a commercial building, the prep work is critical to the finished result. It makes a huge difference in how well your paint job will last and is an investment that pays off over time.
Your contractor will need to prep all of your exterior surfaces before they can begin painting, whether you're re-painting your entire home or simply changing the color. This is a vital step that you'll want to hire an experienced painter to do.
Start with a clean surface and prepare it for painting by washing down any dirt or mildew. This helps the new paint to stick better and also gives the underlying surface a smoother appearance.
Once the surface is clean, sand it lightly and make any repairs needed to ensure that it's ready for painting. This should include removing any peeling, flaking or bubbling paint and patching any cracks and holes.
Next, apply a coat of primer to the surface, working in an upward motion and overlapping each stroke by at least 8 inches. You'll need to use a high-quality exterior-grade primer that's specifically designed for exterior painting.
Before you start painting, be sure to remove all of your outdoor furniture and grills. This will give you an area that's completely free of any debris and prevents stains from running into the ground. You'll also need to remove all of your window screens and tape them down, as well as cover any fixtures with plastic sheeting and painter's tape to prevent stray paint from getting onto your windows.
Lastly, be sure to protect the area around your home by covering any plants and shrubs that are nearby with a lightweight canvas tarp. This will prevent them from being damaged by your paint project and will allow you to easily remove the cover at the end of each painting day.
Repairs
The right painting contractors can perform a wide variety of repairs to your home’s exterior. From fixing rotted wood and replacing broken windows to repairing mold or repainting damaged trim, they can take care of everything from the smallest crack to the most substantial flaws.
In general, the more complex a repair is, the more it will cost you in time and money. For instance, you might need a professional power washer to remove mold and stains from the surface of your house before painting. This is a particularly valuable service because it can save you money on your next paint job by allowing the new coat of paint to adhere better.
One of the simplest types of repairs an exterior painter can make is sanding a small area to remove paint flecks, dirt and other debris. This can be done by hand with a rag or by using a power washer, but for a more precise result, you’ll want to hire someone else to handle the job.
Another common exterior painting repair is to replace old window and door casings, which can be done with a good quality painter’s caulk or a special fiberglass-reinforced vinyl. The right caulk will prevent the weather from causing further damage to your door and window frames, and also adds extra protection for the paint job.
Finally, you might need to make minor wood repairs as well. For example, if your house is built of cedar or pine, you’ll probably need to replace rotten or damaged boards on your front door, back deck and other areas of the exterior.
The best way to find out what repairs you need is to inspect the outside of your house and make a list of any dents, cracks or other noticeable defects. This will give you a clear picture of what you need to do to get the job done and help you select a good contractor.
Choosing the right contractor is crucial to getting the job done on time and within budget. A reputable company should be able to make all the necessary repairs that your home may require, which can improve the overall price of your painting project.
Staining
Staining is a way to protect the wood of your home’s exterior from UV damage and water absorption. There are a variety of different types of staining products on the market, and choosing the right one for your project is important.
First, it is important to know what type of wood you have and what type of finish you want. Softer woods, like pine and cedar, will accept any penetrating stain, while more difficult woods, such as cypress and spruce, will require a specialized stain. You will also need to choose a product that resists fading, as this will affect how long your exterior wood stain lasts.
There are several different types of stains, including solid and semi transparent. Each one shows the underlying wood a little differently and will help show off your home’s beautiful wood grain.
Most stains contain alkyd resins, linseed oil and/or tung oil as well as pigments and UV stabilizers for color and longevity. Some products also contain mildewcides and wood preservatives for greater protection.
Both oil base and water based stains are available, but oil based stains offer better penetration into the wood. They also dry quickly and form a protective film on the surface.
But, they tend to oxidize more quickly and need to be restained more often. They are more expensive than water based stains and require more surface preparation, especially for semi-transparent stains.
If you’re getting ready to sell your home, a professional paint job will help boost the appearance and appeal of your property. The investment in a quality painting and staining job will pay for itself with the increased value that it brings to your home.
A reputable exterior painter will never ask you to pay for the entire cost upfront, because they have most of the supplies on hand and can collect payment only when they’ve finished the project. That’s why it’s a good idea to find a painter who will work with you and your budget to get the job done right.
If you’re looking for a great, local painting contractor, you can count on LM Construction to provide you with high-quality exterior painting, staining and varnishing services. We will follow our Five-Step Exterior Process to ensure that your home receives the professional treatment it deserves.
Painting
The exterior of your home is the first thing that visitors see when they pull up. You want to make sure that it looks fresh, clean, and inviting. That means you should choose an experienced painter for the job.
The most important part of the painting process is primer, which evens out the surface and makes it ready for top coats. Primers are made with various materials, including oil and latex. They can help block out mildew and mold, and keep stains from seeping through the paint layer. They are also a great way to prevent rust from developing on your home's metal siding.
There are several different types of exterior paint, but some of the best ones are alkyd-based. These paints are regulated and self-cleaning, meaning they oxidize over time to shed dirt and grime. This keeps your home looking fresh and beautiful without the hassle of regular maintenance.
They come in a variety of finishes, such as eggshell, satin, and gloss enamel. They're usually low VOC emitters, and they don't contain fungicides.
If your paint is starting to flake or peel, it might be time to consider getting a new coat. This is a much cheaper option than replacing the entire siding, and it will add years to the life of your house.
Choosing the right paint color can also impact your overall cost. A painter may recommend that you stick with a similar shade to save money and make the house look more cohesive.
When selecting paint for your home, you should always opt for the highest quality your budget will allow. A cheaper, lower-quality paint will be less durable and will fade more quickly.
You should also ask your painting contractor for at least $1-million in liability insurance and workers comp coverage. This is necessary to protect you and your property, especially if they use ladders to work on the outside of your home.
You should also check that the painting contractor you hire has at least three years of experience. This will give you peace of mind that they can complete the project safely and efficiently.