Painting the exterior of your property is one of the most exciting tasks, especially if it’s your home. The paint not only improves your home’s curb appeal but also protects it from the seasonal elements like sunlight damage, dust, and debris. But the real question here is that what are the best times of the year to paint your home’s exterior? Well, we are here to give you that answer with respect to the 4 seasons.

Why Timing Matters in Exterior Painting

Exterior painting differs from interior painting completely, exteriors are exposed to the sunlight, wind, rain, and other seasonal changes. The paint needs to have optimal conditions to dry and bond properly. If the painting is done during extreme weather, whether it’s too cold or hot or too humid, all of these can result in the paint cracking, peel, or simply wearing down. This leads to frequent repainting and, in turn, higher costs.

The right painting season depends on your geographical location, but generally, a mild temperature with dry conditions is the right one.

1. Spring: A Popular Choice, But Apply Caution

Spring is considered to be a season of fresh starts; you see it ideally as the right time to rejuvenate your home’s appearance. Yes, it’s a great season to do exterior painting, but you have to check the weather forecast closely. Early springs for many places are unpredictable with sudden rain showers and heat snaps; all of these can ruin your paint job.

Late spring is the best suited as the temperature becomes a bit steady, ideal for painting with latex paints. Do check the temperatures for the nights because if the temperature drops too low, it will not cure properly.

2. Summer: Warm and Dry, But Look Out For the Heat

Summer offers long days with warm temperatures, allowing for the paint to dry quickly. There is a sweet spot for the temperature, at 32 degrees Celsius, it can dry too fast, causing the brush marks, lap marks, and uneven finishes. The late summer or early summer is the ideal time than peak midsummer. The best time of day is either early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is not at its peak.

Also, keep an eye out for the humidity in the coastal or tropical areas, as it can cause issues during paint drying and adhesion.

3. Fall: Ideally, The Best Season to Paint

The fall or autumn season is considered among the best times of year to paint your home’s exterior. The days during this season are cooler and drier with the temperature swinging between day and night, but less severe as compared to summer or spring seasons. In many places, the autumn season is stable with mild temperatures during the day and cold at night. This weather consistency allows the paint to better adhere to the wall surface, reducing the risk for cracking or blistering.

Still, your aim when painting the exterior of your home is to finish before that first cold of the winter hits. Once the temperature starts to drop below 10 degrees Celsius, you should stop the paint job.

4. Winter: Do It With Caution or Avoid Doing It At All

Winter is not considered an ideal time to start painting your exterior and interior space. Paint doesn’t seem to adhere well to the surface when it is just too cold. It won’t cure properly if the overnight temperature dips a bit too low than usual. Yes, there are still some modern paints that are made to offer better performance under low temperatures.

However, they are specialized and may not be readily available. If you live in a mild winter area, it’s still optimal to paint in the cooler months. Just make sure that the skies are clear and the temperature is above-average for the winter season.

Bonus Tips for Better Exterior Painting Results

These are some of our time-proven tips that ensure better exterior painting services results. No matter which time or season of the year it is, these tips allow for a better paint job.

1. You must check the weather forecast at least 2 to 3 days ahead – the weather must be dry with mild temperatures.

2. You should also check the surface temperature on which you are painting. It must be within the recommended range by the paint manufacturer.

3. It is best to avoid direct sunlight on the painted surface; do it under the shade or wait until the sun has moved from that area.

4. Always use high-quality paints and tools like weather-resistant paints and the right brushes and rollers.

Conclusion

The success of your paint job doesn’t depend only on the color or brand of the paint. Instead, the best time of year to paint your home’s exterior also plays an important role. Our detailed view on the best seasons for painting exterior will let you have the best paint job.

As a homeowner, it’s on you to check for the right weather forecast. The right time for painting is what makes all the difference, making it last from 2 years to 10 years. So, plan ahead & take help from our guide to get the best home exterior paint job.