Exterior Paint & Painting Exterior

Sure, a new coat of exterior paint looks lovely, but did you know it could protect your home as well? A new paint job may be just what your house needs! Show how much you care for your home with a beautiful, fresh coat of exterior paint. A well-maintained home always has a coat of exterior paint that looks bright and fresh. Choosing the right colors, type of paint and gloss will go a long way to ensuring that your home is not only beautiful, but retains its value throughout the years. Good exterior paint protects the exterior surfaces of the home and provides a barrier between the elements, pollution and some insects to keep up the structural integrity as well as the beauty of the home.

Many people tend to go with the basic white paint and dark trim when painting a home. That′s great, but don′t feel that you′re limited to a single look. Be creative! Sure, sure, if you live in New England and have a Shaker frame home, that black and white look is the perfect traditional accompaniment to your lovely home. But consider your surroundings. Do you want to blend in with the trees and foliage around you? Would natural, warm earth tones give your home a warm and inviting look? What about pastels? If you live in a sunny, bright climate, celebrate that beauty with beachy peachy pastels and seashell tints.

When choosing the type of exterior paint you want, consider the surface. Trims generally do best with a bright gloss. Satin finishes are great for larger surfaces. But, the big question tends to be: Do we go with oil-based or latex paint? Certainly latex wins hands-down for quick drying and ease of cleanup. But part of the reason you want a good exterior paint is to ensure a strong seal of protection between your home and the elements. For that, oil-based paints tend to be more durable. Sure, they take longer to dry and you′ll need to use turpentine for cleanup, but that paint job will be longer-lasting and provide stronger protection.

When you go to apply your carefully-chosen exterior paint, don′t stint on preparing surfaces! The better the surface is prepared, the longer the paint job lasts. Scrape off flaked paint and sand irregular surfaces, if you′re dealing with wood. If you have a new, unpainted surface, keep in mind that a primer will ensure that the final coat of exterior paint goes on as smooth as silk with a lovely, clean finish.

Exterior paint is a great way to ensure that your home is beautiful, protected from the elements and increases its value. So, here′s to making your home beautiful!