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  • Writer's pictureCameron Maltby

Best Time to Paint the Exterior of a House

Updated: Dec 15, 2022


When you're ready to begin painting the exterior of your home, you may be trying to figure out as many details as possible about the process. Let's sort it all out for you.


Best Season/Weather to Paint

You can paint the inside of your house at any time of year and in almost any weather. After all, house interiors are controlled environments, which means the temperature and humidity can be adjusted to create ideal painting conditions.


However, painting the exterior of a house is a completely different story. Unfortunately, the success of your project is frequently dependent on the elements that you encounter. You'll need to adjust the project around the weather conditions, rather than the other way around. So, when is the best time to repaint the exterior of your home?


Early Summer

So, when is the best time to paint the outside of a house? Early summer is usually the best weather, with little rain and little temperature variation from day to night. This ensures that the paint goes on smoothly and has time to dry and cure properly. By that time of year, the weather is warm and the rain has stopped. Summer does not have the same meaning (or include the same months) in every part of the country or around the world. As a result, it's more important to concentrate on days with favorable weather than on the season.


Early Fall

Temperature fluctuations are also important factors to consider when deciding when to paint the exterior of your home. Paint does not dry well when temperatures fluctuate dramatically, such as when it reaches 105°F in the morning but drops to 43°F in the evening. During early fall may be a good time to paint because daytime and nighttime temperatures are often closer than at other times of the year.


Residents of Florida, Louisiana, and parts of Texas who are regularly hit by hurricanes cannot paint all summer, since these areas tend to experience hurricanes or monsoon-like conditions toward the end of summer. It is recommended to start painting earlier in the season or wait until the crisp fall months in places like this.


Other Factors to Consider

Knowing when to paint your house is critical if you want to save time and money. Here are some things to think about:


Temperature

Temperature is also a thing to consider. When the weather begins to cool, it is best to postpone any outdoor painting projects until the warmer months arrive. On the other hand, you may be wondering if painting outside during the hottest months of July and August will harm the drying time of the paint. The truth is that the best time to start a painting project is when the weather is mild and there is little wind. The ideal temperature ranges from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, although a little wind may not appear to be a big deal, it can cause your paint to dry too quickly.


Temperature guidelines differ depending on the type of paint. When using latex paint, the exterior paint temperature should be between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, on the other hand, the ideal temperature for oil-based paint should be between 45 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.


Humidity

Exterior painters are constantly frustrated by moisture. Water vapor will form on your freshly painted surface if the air is too humid. The ideal humidity level for outdoor painting is 40-70%.


Excess humidity makes it harder for paint to cling to any surface, causing it to bubble and eventually peel. This is crucial to remember when painting wood, which absorbs moisture from the surrounding air and swells. While, on the other hand, moisture in the air prevents the protective film layer of your paint from developing, affecting the paint's protective qualities.


Rain/Precipitation

No matter what the temperature is outside, painting in the rain is never a great idea. However, keep in mind that you must allow ample time for your exterior surface to dry before applying any paint. This is especially true if there has recently been precipitation. Hold off if rain is in the forecast. It will take at least 4-8 hours for things to completely dry out after it rains.


Paint Quality

When it comes to the exterior of your home, you should choose paint based on its quality rather than its price. The paint should not only be able to withstand any weather condition, but it should also last for years, if not decades.


For a Job Well Done, Hire A Professional Painting Company

Exterior painting in San Diego is the most effective way to increase the curb appeal of your home. PB Painting Pros is a well-known painting company in San Diego with an expert crew and professionals. Begin your next painting or renovation project right away! Work with us today!


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