The outside paint of a house can reflect the personality of the people living in it and nowadays, house painting is one of the most affordable ways to improve the impression of one’s home. However, it takes a lot of effort to do this job. One needs to clean the surface first, determine the type of paint to be used, and apply it. Always remember that a person should not paint a house when it is too hot because direct exposure to hot sun will damage paint jobs. It is best to paint in late spring or early fall when the weather is neither too hot nor cold. Washing the outside part of the house should be the first thing to do since it is the dirtiest and most exposed. Stubborn dirt and stains should be brushed and rinsed using ordinary garden hose. On the other hand, if the house is a large one, a person can use high-pressure spray cleaner. It automatically removes dirt, mildew, and stains. It can even remove peeling paint. Caution should be made when using these though. After washing, now the house has a dirt-free foundation ready for the new coating.
Now, one must start covering plants to protect them from paint drips and spills. Trees and bushes may get in the way too and it is best to cover it first with canvas drop cloths. After doing so, it is time to apply an appropriate primer to trouble areas, especially if raw wood or bare metal were exposed after the paint was removed. Applying a primer is a necessity in every house painting project because it gives a firm foundation for finishing paints and provides extra protection against elements like heat, strong winds, humid environment and rain. It produces a uniform surface that provides a sheen and appearance of the finish coat. Primers also increase the overall quality and durability of the paint job. It grips the surface and helps the exterior of the house to last for more than 10 years. When working on new wood, priming is always needed.
The kind of primer to be used also depends on the choice of paint. For instance, latex paint requires use of latex primers; for solvent-thinned paints, a solvent-base primer is needed; and for metals, use of metal primers is a must. Next to application of primers is the paint. But before shopping for paints, one must consider the color first and the amount of paint that will be used. Check first the size of the house or the part to be painted, the condition of the surfaces, and the type of coating to be used. In determining how much paint is needed, measure first the perimeter of the house. And then multiply that figure by the height. Divide the final figure by the square-foot coverage specified on the can of paint to determine the number of gallons needed for one coat. Carefully calculate the necessary paint to be used, and then buy an extra gallon to be sure. Ask for help from paint professionals in stores or an Englishtown painting contractor if not sure of the estimates. Be sure to provide them the exact measurements of the house.
The next important thing to consider in house painting is the color. In painting old houses, it is not advisable to use striking and glossy colors. Seek advice from experts in analyzing old paint chips, and then he will recreate the original color more suitable to the type of house. Other nearby houses and buildings should be put in consideration too. Avoid having the exact same color with those of the neighboring houses but be sure that the colors will not clash and contrast one another. In choosing colors for houses, one needs to check other parts of the house that are already painted like the roof and the interior of the house. It does not need to be perfectly the same or matched but the colors should look good together. Other parts of the house do not necessarily need painting like brick walls and wooden doors.
A natural look is always a good choice which will greatly blend with the landscape around the house. To make a house look larger, use light colors especially white or cream. A house will look more dignified and classic with these colors but beware since it can make the house look dull and dirt becomes quite obvious with these colors too. Using dark colors make a house look smaller but it gives emphasis to details, particularly for window sashes, moldings, and columns. It won’t show dust and stains. However, it is more likely to fade and it absorbs heat and causes more moisture problems than lighter shades. One may decide to use a single color but it makes the house look flat and uninteresting. Using too many colors, on the other hand may result in mismatches and overwhelming impact on the new image of the house. Maintain a balance of the color families at hand and use a lighter or darker shade for accents instead of looking for a different color. Be innovative in the choice of colors and make exciting results! Just remember this tips and follow necessary procedures and it is sure that any home improvement project will be a success.