The paint on your home’s siding, trim, and other exterior features helps set the tone for the rest of your yard. A fresh coat of paint is an easy way to spruce up any part of your property — but that doesn’t mean it’s simple. Picking the right type of paint, getting accurate measurements and mixing your own paint at home are all crucial steps when painting your house. If you’re preparing to repaint the outside of your house, there are several things you need to know before you get started. From measuring square footage to understanding paints and their pros and cons, this guide covers everything you need to know before tackling a new exterior paint job.
What you’ll need
You’ll need a tape measure, a calculator and a paint calculator, as well as a few different types of paint brushes. You’ll also need ladders, scaffolding, drop cloths, and other types of equipment, depending on the outside of your home and where you’re painting. You might also want to hire a professional, depending on the size of your home and the complexity of your exterior paint job. If you’re painting wood, you’ll need a paint that’s designed for use on wood. Likewise, if you’re painting stucco or siding, you need a paint that’s designed to stick to that type of surface.
Measuring for square feet
First, you’ll need to figure out how much square footage you have to paint. To do that, you’ll need to measure the length of each wall and the width of any architectural features, such as columns or a roofline. You can use a tool like a paint calculator or your favourite smartphone app to figure out how many square feet you have to paint. Keep in mind, though, that the amount of paint you buy can be different than the amount of paint you actually need. If you’re painting multiple stories or painting both sides of the exterior of your home, for example, you may need extra paint. When in doubt, it’s better to overstock than to run out of paint mid-job.
Choosing your paint
You’ll also need to decide which type of paint you’d like to use. Exterior paint is different from interior paint in several ways, including its durability and its price. Exterior paint is designed to protect your home from water damage, UV rays, and other elements that can cause paint to fade. Depending on the type of exterior paint you choose, you can expect it to last anywhere from 2 to 20 years. Exterior paint also comes in many different colours. While you may be tempted to go bold when repainting your home, you may want to play it safe and stick with a classic colour. The colour of your house can affect its resale value, so it’s important to pick the right colour for your home.
Exterior paint colours
When picking colours for your house, remember that darker colours will seem smaller, and lighter colours will seem larger. You may want to consider the architecture of your home when picking a colour. If you’re painting a brick or stucco home, for example, you can use a colour wheel to pair colours that will complement your architecture.
Paint quality
Paint quality can greatly affect the look and lifespan of your paint job. While the price of the paint is one sign of its quality, it isn’t the only one. A high-quality paint brand will use the best materials and production techniques. The price of paint can vary widely, depending on where you buy it and what type of paint you choose. To figure out which paint is the best value for your money, you can compare average prices for different types of paint. You can also use Consumer Reports’ guide to paint brands and their prices. This guide can help you find the best paint for your budget, no matter what type of paint you’re looking for.
Types of paint you can use
When it comes to picking the type of paint you’d like to use, there are a few different options. You can choose a high-quality paint with a short-term lifespan, or you can pick a low-quality paint that lasts much longer. High-quality paints outperform low-quality paints in almost every way. They stick to the surface better, they don’t fade as quickly, and they are easier to clean and maintain. High-quality paints are also more expensive. If cost is a major concern, though, you can also use low-quality paints. Low-quality paints are less expensive and don’t perform as well as high-quality paints. However, they do last longer than cheap paint.
Protecting your home and measuring again
Before you paint the exterior of your home, you’ll want to protect anything that can get paint on it. This includes windows, doors, siding, and landscaping. You may also want to hire a professional painter to paint the exterior of your home. This can save you time and effort, and can help ensure that you get a high-quality paint job. Before you start painting, you’ll want to measure your home again. This is important in case you’ve bought more paint than you need. It’s better to have too much paint than to run out partway through the job and have to go back to the store for more.