Selecting an exterior paint color and finish is a big decision that impacts your home’s appearance and protection for years. With so many paint options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the best fit for your specific home’s architectural style and environment. You want the new paint job to enhance your home’s exterior while standing up to the elements over time.
Follow this guide covering the top things to consider when choosing the most suitable exterior paint for your home painting project, whether DIY or hiring commercial painters adelaide like R&K Coatings:
Before looking at paint options, assess the facade of your house and identify key features that will factor into paint selection. Consider the predominant materials such as wood, stucco, vinyl, brick or stone. Determine if trim, shutters, entry doors and other decorative elements need coordinated paint colors. Identify how much direct sun areas receive and any exceptionally rainy or damp locations. Take note of architectural character you wish to maintain or enhance. This analysis ensures you select optimal exterior paint.
For example, sun-drenched south facing walls will need durable heat-reflective paints. Wood surfaces exposed to moisture require mildew-resistant primers and finishes. Having a detailed understanding of your home’s construction, sun exposure, drainage and aesthetics enables narrowing suitable exterior paint options that will perform and beautify.
Decide the overall aesthetic goals and functional needs before choosing paint products. Do you want a bold, vivid color to make a statement? Seeking a subdued neutral shade that seamlessly blends? Opting for a glossy shine or flat matte look? Need a paint fortified to endure seasons of intense sun, rain and cold? Determining desired appearance and performance helps identify the right formulations and finishes to meet expectations.
A muted earth tone flat or satin exterior paint may suit a craftsman bungalow’s low-key charm, while a brightly colored high-gloss accent door cheers up a modern home’s sleek facade. For optimal durability in harsh climates, opt for fortified exterior paints with ample acrylic or silicone. Clarifying look, feel and function goals keeps the search focused only on suitable products. Consult professional exterior painters adelaide like R&K Coatings for recommendations based on your home’s specific requirements and location.
Always opt for quality exterior paints and primers designed to withstand outdoor elements and endure over time without fading, cracking or peeling. Higher priced paints greatly outperform cheap brands when it comes to longevity and performance. Purchase the highest quality paints and primers you can reasonably afford to get your money’s worth from the paint job over many years.
Look for durable 100% acrylic latex formulas or specialized silicone-acrylic blends. Acrylic/silicone paints resist mildew growth, pollution, sun fading and moisture damage better than lower budget paints. Investing in quality also means less frequent repainting. Couple top-tier paints with strong multi-surface exterior primers for maximum adhesion and protection, even on weathered surfaces. Don’t let subpar paints and primers flake, fade and fail prematurely.
Choose your desired sheen: higher gloss for prominent features like front doors; flat or satin finishes for siding to minimize imperfections. Glossier paints accentuate decorative trim and doors but also highlight any wall flaws. Low luster paints like flat or eggshell better disguise imperfections like cracks and patched areas on siding or stucco, ideal if those surfaces need extensive prep. Use higher sheens on surfaces readily visible up close, lower sheens on upper levels.
Also consider surface material – certain paint finishes adhere and look better on different building materials. For example, flat paint often suits masonry, stucco and concrete best, while gloss paint brings out the richness of wood doors and architectural trims. An eggshell or satin finish provides a nice middle ground and works well on most surfaces. Talk to house painting exterior professionals like R&K Coatings to identify finish options ideal for your home’s combination of materials and features.
While personal preference plays a big role in choosing exterior paint colors, also consider what hues best complement architectural style and surrounding environment. Cooler tones like blues, greens and grays help buildings recede; warm reds, yellows and browns make facades advance. Monochromatic schemes using different shades of one color also give cohesion.
Keep in mind how much direct sunlight areas receive as darker colors tend to absorb heat. Be aware the facade will look different in various light conditions. Opt for muted, blended tones rather than jarring bright primaries. Use accents judiciously. Enlist an expert exterior painter like R&K Coatings to advise home appropriate colors that provide desired pop while maintaining design cohesion. They can suggest combinations that unify, not overwhelm.
While a single exterior color can be striking, using complementary secondary colors for accent walls, doors and decorative elements adds visually appealing dimension. For example, pairing a neutral beige, gray or taupe siding color with burgundy, navy or olive green shutters and doors looks refined. Or couple light gray walls with contrasting white trim and dark charcoal garage and entry doors. Just take care that multiple colors work together, not fight each other.
Having an exterior painter skilled at using color harmoniously like R&K Coatings ensures combinations complement, not clash. They know which hues enhance architectural elements and unite the whole facade elegantly. Don’t be afraid to use color – just stick to a thoughtful coordinated palette.
After narrowing down paint possibilities through colors, sheen and finishes best suiting your home, conduct test patches. Paint 2-3 foot sample sections on each exterior wall surface and allow to dry completely. View at different times of day to judge color accuracy. Make sure primer and paint adhere smoothly without cracking or peeling. Consider sheen effects on each surface. This real-life testing helps finalize the optimal paint product and color combinations for project success.
If possible, have professional residential house interior painting service like R&K Coatings apply test patches to get a true outcome. Make final paint choices only after assessing real world performance on your actual surfaces. Don’t rely on color swatches alone when investing in quality exterior paint.
Before painting, closely inspect all exterior surfaces and identify any areas needing repair. This includes damaged wood, cracked stucco, crumbling concrete, loose wall panels, holes, warped boards or deteriorated caulking/seals around windows and doors. Repair issues first so paint adheres properly for best protection and appearance. Cracks or weak spots will only enlarge if just painted over.
For thorough inspection and repair expertise, hire an exterior painting company like R&K Coatings to troubleshoot and fix underlying issues before moving forward. Don’t allow existing problems to linger and expand – strong paint bonds start with sound surfaces meticulously prepped by residential house interior painting specialists.
A proper deep clean before priming ensures paint adheres optimally. Wash away dirt, mildew, grease, rust and other grime so only the bare surface remains for painting. TSP cleaner helps strip away stubborn existing paints. Beware high-pressure power washing can force moisture behind siding. Focus on scrubbing, not blasting. Rinse thoroughly and allow to fully dry before priming and painting.
Trust an expert painting company like R&K Coatings for best practices on safely washing and stripping different exterior materials without damaging them. Don’t paint over grime -Cleaning properly primes surfaces for success.
Quality primers ensure topcoat paint bonds tightly to surfaces over the long term. Primers seal porous building materials so they don’t absorb paint unevenly. Primers also provide extra protection on weathered woods, sealing in splinters or knots. Always use manufacturer recommended primers designed for each specific surface like wood, stucco, masonry, vinyl, aluminum etc. Curing times vary – follow label directions closely.
Let professional house painters like R&K Coatings apply the properly formulated primer for each facade material for most durable results. Don’t scrimp on primer – it’s the critical bonding layer between surface and paint.
Filling gaps around windows, trim, fixtures and doors with durable paintable caulk provides an extra seal against the elements. This also gives finished edges a smooth cohesive look. Take time fully caulking every seam and crevice for a polished watertight finish. Caulking properly takes some finesse – trust the steady hand and trained eye of residential house interior painting pros like R&K Coatings to achieve crisp clean caulk lines. Don’t allow unfilled cracks and seams to channel moisture behind new paint.
Always carefully follow the manufacturer’s application specifications for prep work, priming, painting and cleanup. This includes proper surface cleaning methods, recommended primers, solvents and coating thickness. Factor in required curing times between coats. Confirm suitable environmental conditions – avoiding painting in direct sun, high humidity or low temperatures. Patience creates the best looking, longest lasting results.
Professional exterior painters like R&K Coatings are meticulous regarding following each product’s application directions. Don’t take shortcuts – carefully stick to manufacturer’s instructions for paint success.
Meticulous end-of-day cleanup of paint spills, drips, and splatters prevents exterior walls and surfaces from becoming marred. Use recommended cleanup solvents to fully remove wet paint from glass, metal trims, landscaping and any other areas not intended for painting. Remove all ladders, drops cloths, tape and equipment. A thorough job site cleanup protects your home’s siding and landscaping.
Trust commercial painters adelaide like R&K Coatings for immaculate site cleanup – don’t let paint slop up ruin your home’s exteriors or plantings. Leave the property pristine.
Choosing exterior paint colors and finishes that work in harmony with your home’s design, environment and architecture results in a cohesive updated look able to withstand the elements. Follow these tips when evaluating your facade, making paint selections and properly prepping and applying for enduring curb appeal and protection. Trust experienced exterior painting companies like R&K Coatings to advise and apply product combinations that reliably beautify and guard your home for many years. Don’t settle for paint that disappoints – do your due diligence for a durable exterior transformation.
