As the beautiful summer weather rolls in, many homeowners find themselves inspired to embark on home improvement projects. One popular undertaking is house painting, which not only increases curb appeal but also provides a fresh and updated look.
Before you head to the hardware store and invest in gallons of paint, addressing some critical questions that may arise during the planning phase is essential.
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the initial steps of painting a house, focusing on two crucial aspects: identifying your siding material (and understanding how it can impact your choice of paint) and choosing the right paint colors.
By addressing these critical questions, you’ll be well-prepared to begin painting your siding. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a first-time painter, this blog post will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration needed to achieve stunning results that enhance your home’s exterior aesthetics.
So, let’s dive in and uncover the secrets to painting siding while making the most of the beautiful summer season!
Reasons For Painting A House: Revitalize Your Home’s Facade
When embarking on a large project like painting a house, it’s a great practice to get clear on why you’re doing it in the first place.
When you’re deep in the weeds of house painting, a clear “why” will help motivate you to push through any frustration – or that 95-degree day when you’re standing outside your home, sweaty and uncomfortable and possibly wondering if you were in your right mind for even bothering!
Here are a few reasons why you might consider a painting siding project:
- Enhanced Curb Appeal: Painting a house is a great way to breathe new life into a tired facade and make it stand out in your neighborhood. It will leave a positive impression on anyone who sees your home – visitors and potential buyers alike.
- Increased Home Value: A well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing exterior can significantly increase your home’s value. If you plan to sell your property in the future, a freshly painted exterior can be a compelling selling point that attracts potential buyers and potentially leads to a higher selling price.
- Protection Against The Elements: Paint serves as a protective barrier against the elements. It shields your home from moisture, UV rays, and other environmental factors that can cause damage over time. By painting your exterior, you can extend the lifespan of your siding material and prevent costly repairs or replacements.
- Personalization and Expression: Your home’s exterior is like a blank canvas, offering an opportunity to reflect your style and preferences. Choosing your color scheme allows you to create a unique and personalized statement – and it makes your home truly yours.
- Keeping Up With Trends: Interior design trends evolve, and exterior color trends do, too. Updating your house paint colors allows you to keep up with current design aesthetics and ensure that your property remains visually appealing and in line with contemporary styles.
Painting Siding: What Type of Siding is on Your Home?
Let’s talk about identifying the type of exterior your home has and how it can affect the type of paint to use when you repaint it.
If your home’s exterior is brick or stone, identification is easy. However, you should still confirm what type of brick or stone you’re working with (in Wisconsin, most commonly limestone or perhaps granite or sandstone) to choose the right paint.
If your home has siding, like many homes in Wisconsin, it’s essential to identify the type of siding your home has to ensure that you take the proper steps and use the right kind of paint. It can be tricky to determine what kind is on your home, so here’s a list of a few identifiers for the most common types:
- Vinyl (including insulated vinyl) is durable and lightweight and tends to resist dents and scratches. It stays smooth all year round. If you press on your siding gently and it flexes, it may be vinyl.
- Engineered wood tends to have the knots and imperfections characteristic of wood. Wood siding tends to have swelling and rot issues when exposed to water.
- Fiber cement was not used on homes until the mid-80s, so if your siding has been around longer than 40 years, you can rule this type out. It has a similar texture to wood (but doesn’t rot or warp).
- Aluminum has a “hollow” sound when struck, does not react to a magnet, and is very lightweight. It’s prone to dents and scratches.
- Steel is a much heavier metal and will react to a magnet.
Now that you know what kind of siding you’re working with, the question is: can you paint it?
The good news is that you can paint all these siding types (with a caveat): you need the right paint! Here’s a brief rundown:
- Painting Vinyl siding calls for external latex urethane paint. You can expect your paint job to last about five years.
- Engineered wood can be painted with 100% acrylic latex paint and usually lasts about 5-10 years.
- Fiber cement is designed to hold color for an extended period (10 years) and can be painted with high-quality exterior paint.
- Aluminum and steel are similar. Painting aluminum siding calls for primer, oil-based exterior paint, and a top coat, and it will last about 4-6 years. The same is true for painting steel siding.
No matter what type of siding you have, a few commonalities exist.
You must always clean and prep your siding before you paint and inspect for damage. You should also review any manufacturer instructions and warranty information before you begin.
House Paint Colors: Choosing Colors That Stand the Test of Time
Easily one of the most exciting parts of the painting a house process is picking the color. After all, this choice will determine what you come home to and how others see your home for the foreseeable future!
Although many homeowners want to stay on top of the most current trends when they choose their paint colors, a word of caution: trends can die out quickly, leaving you with a dated home very quickly. Consider these current trends and timeless options:
- Dark Colors: Trending hues that provide a bold and dramatic statement. (Note: because dark colors absorb the sun’s heat, these color options may not be recommended for painting vinyl siding.)
- Warm Neutrals: Classic and versatile shades that complement various architectural styles.
- Terracotta Tones: Earthy and warm colors that add depth and character to your home.
Want some inspiration? Head here.
Painting your home’s exterior can be exciting, but it requires careful consideration, proper planning, and a strong back and arms. You can achieve a beautiful and long-lasting transformation by identifying your siding material, understanding special paint requirements, and exploring design options.
It’s key to remember that:
- There comes a point where your siding needs replacement, not painting.
- It’s okay to admit that the project is beyond you – the cost to paint a house isn’t just monetary (there’s time and physical effort involved).
Remember to consult professionals for guidance and enjoy the process of giving your home a fresh new look. We at JB Custom have partnered with Walters Painting, and for a limited time, you can get $200 off the cost to paint a house when you book with this link.
If you’re ready to replace your siding entirely, and want to know the best siding for your home, JB Custom is a team of highly experienced drywall experts and project managers who are both proud craftspeople and client-service fanatics. We’re locally-owned and we’ve built our enviable reputation on a depth of experience that few can match. For 30-plus years, we’ve satisfied our customers by providing the benefits they expect from drywall and remodeling professionals. Request a free estimate. We can get your answer within 24 hours, and we return calls and emails on the same day we get them.
Recent Comments