Here's an honest answer- there's a specific time for painting your home's exterior. All seasons painting is acceptable as long as it meets all the conditions exterior painting requires. Unlike interior painting, exterior painting depends on climate and weather. After all, you cannot avoid a heavy downpour or cold when working outside with your paintbrush.
The best time to start a paint job depends on where you live. Because not every summer is dry all across the country. Your area's climate and weather determine the perfect time for outside painting.
It's your job to begin your project when weather conditions are right. But before that, you must know the optimal painting conditions in each season. So here's our guide about the best time for exterior painting in different seasons.
What Is The Best Season To Paint A House Exterior?
You might have heard that summer is the best season for painting a house exterior. Is that true? Sort of, but not entirely. Since the weather is warm and there's less rain in summer, it's a good time to kickstart an exterior painting.
This is true for most areas. But to stay safer , focus on identifying the weather conditions, not the season. Here's what painting can look like in different seasons and conditions:
Raining . Not all summer is great for painting a house exterior. Some areas can have hurricanes or monsoon-like conditions at the end of the season. And starting painting raining day is never recommended!
Homeowners in Florida, Louisiana, and parts of Texas often experience hurricanes, and summer is not ideal. If you decide to paint in summer while living around such areas, start your painting earlier in the summer.
Extreme Heat & Sunlight . Severe heat and direct sunlight can be a hindrance to your project. If you're using water-based latex paint, know that the paint needs enough time to cure. This sort of paint requires the water to evaporate naturally.
On the other hand, oil-based paint takes more time than water-based paint to cure since the curing temperature for oil-based paint goes up to 10 degrees.
But heat and direct sunlight can cure paint quicker than it's due. Such extreme weather can prematurely dry the paint as soon as it's applied. Avoid painting if you notice the sun is directly shining on your surface.
Don't jump into your project as soon as the sunlight leaves the scene. Wait at least an hour or two for the siding to cool down. Dark siding or dense materials often retain heat for longer. So keep checking the surface to ensure it has cooled down.
Autumn . Whether to paint a house's exterior should also depend on temperature fluctuations. During varying temperatures, paint doesn't dry well, for example, on days when the temperature reaches 105°F but drops to 43°F in the evening.
Consider early fall if you want an optimal temperature condition where daytime and nighttime temperatures are closer.
But fall and winter come with another challenge. The vertical surfaces experience sunlight for a longer time as the seasons progress.
Winter . Some paint brands require a minimum outside temperature for exterior painting. But such a requirement poses a challenge for those wishing to finish their painting in winter. In some areas, temperatures are low year-round, which makes it more difficult for them to use specific brands.
But some high-quality brands offer paint that has a lower minimum temperature. Previously some brands recommended a minimum temperature of 50°F. However, many paint formulas now allow painting at a low temperature of 35°F.
Moist Conditions . If latex-based paints are applied on wet surfaces, it can lead to peeling paint. This can happen due to water getting under the paint. It's crucial to use paint on dry surfaces.
If there's rain, snow, or high humidity, there's a chance that your house exterior is becoming moist.
Checking your house exterior should be a priority before you start painting. This helps you be 100% sure of the moisture level of the surface and avoid painting in high humidity. If you feel even the slightest moisture, do not start painting.
There's a possibility that the surface is dry outside but wet within after a storm. We recommend waiting a full day before you start painting once your area is hit by severe weather. Also, stay cautious of the dew, which can easily wet the exterior.
Need Help Painting House Exterior?
If figuring out when to paint your home's exterior is too intimidating for you, seek help from experts to prevent costly mistakes. SuperiorPRO is Atlanta's one of the leading paint providers for all residential and commercial properties.
We assign seasoned technicians who use the highest-quality Sherwin-Williams paint options to produce a beautiful, long-lasting finish on your home's surface. Contact Superior Pro to find the best time to paint your house through a free quote.