Spring and summer are the ideal seasons for an exterior paint job. Fall can also offer optimal weather conditions for painting, but certain days are better than others. Professional painters know to avoid rain, but completing a project in direct sunlight can be equally ineffective.

While rain prevents paint from drying, sun has the opposite effect – it dries too quickly. In either case, poor adhesion results.

Consider these reasons:

1. When temperatures are too high, paint dries too soon. In the process, it doesn’t fully bond to the material, which prevents it from forming a protective film.
2. Poor adhesion doesn’t emerge right away. Instead, you’ll begin to notice it a few years down the line when the paint starts to prematurely flake and peel. Sunlight prevents the paint from drying smoothly.
3. Certain types of paints dry quicker than others, especially latex.
4. When you’re painting in hot, sunny weather, more time is needed between coats. When a second coat is added too soon, the paint may peel off from the moisture collecting underneath.
5. Even if the air temperature is ideal, direct sunlight makes exterior surfaces 10 to 20 degrees hotter.

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When a paint job is done poorly, it begins to show after a few short years. Even when a professional completes the project properly and thoroughly, there comes a time for a new coat.

On average, the time for a new house painting is after five to seven years, depending upon location and other factors. To determine when your property should be re-painted, take the following into account:

Materials

What is the exterior of your house made of? How long paint lasts varies from material to material:

• Wood Siding: If painted, every three to seven years; if stained, add a new coat every four years
• Aluminum Siding: Five years
• Stucco: Five to six years
• Cement Fiberboard: 10 to 15 years
• Brick: 15 to 20 years

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At some point, you may realize that it has been far too long since you last painted your Connecticut property. Further, you’ll start to wonder whether or not it is a good time for a new coat, despite how badly your home may need it.

The answer lies in how the paint is going to hold up to the current elements. It’s recommended that you do an inspection every five to seven years around the perimeter and, in the process, look for the following signs:

1. Peeling paint: At this point, the paint is no longer creating a protective coating against the elements for your home. When you notice peeling, a paint job is needed right away.
2. Separating caulk: Check the areas around any wood, brick and windows. If the caulk is separating in these areas, it also means your home is more vulnerable to the elements.
3. Bare wood is exposed.
4. You notice distinct mold and water stains in shady areas, which are usually the most common places where snow doesn’t easily melt.
5. Cracking stucco by the windows and foundation: While many believe that stucco doesn’t need paint, it’s like every other material on your home’s exterior. Without a protective coating, the elements get to it, which leads to cracking and crumbling.

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In Connecticut, spring weather has already arrived. Because of the early warmth, some homeowners looking to add a new coat of paint might think they can jump-start their house-painting project.

Unfortunately, simply having a few balmy days doesn’t make for ideal conditions. Particularly, spring can still be wet from rain and have cool nights, which prevent adhesion. So, although you’ll have to wait to start your project, consider these points for finding the right time to paint your home.

The Start of the Season

In northern states, house-painting season usually starts anywhere from mid-March to late spring and lasts through fall. However, summer is considered the best time for adding a few coats.

Beyond the time of year, you need to look at the weather patterns. During spring or summer, try to find a few days of dry weather with little rain or humidity.

If it rains, allow at least one full day to pass before applying the paint. Any time that moisture is present, your paint may dampen, not adhere correctly or become wet from the inside.

Variable Temperatures

House painters also look for a time with few temperature fluctuations: when daytime temperatures aren’t too far off from those in the evening. Fall might end up being the perfect time to paint because of the small differences in temperature from day to night.

Many people do not realize that paint needs a minimum outside temperature. For a long time, that was about 50 degrees, but newer formulations decrease it to 40 or even 35 degrees. While the day might be a pleasant, warm temperature, if the night dips down below the 40s your paint job could still experience issues.

Considering getting your house or business painted? As the temperatures get warmer, work with a professional to start your project. To learn more or schedule an appointment, give M. Brett a call today.