When looking at the outside of your home, it may become abundantly clear how big it is. For tasks like painting, it can certainly seem like a chore, to say the least. But, exterior painting is more than coating your exterior surfaces. By painting your home outside, you can effectively keep it in excellent condition. For example, wood surfaces need to be painted or stained to protect against pests and water damage.

Is it time to paint your home's exterior? There are some surefire signs that it's time to get painting. The most recognizable sign is paint peeling and chipping. If you see any of these, it's time to take action. With all surfaces, you should consider the prep work before repainting. When it comes to wood, you can either sand or pressure wash.

Different Types of Paints and Stains

The outside of your home will use different paint and stains than the inside. This may seem like a relatively straightforward concept, but you might be surprised as to how many people will try to use paints not meant for surfaces and areas that they are intended. Always look for the label of exterior or interior. From there, you can choose water-based, latex, or oil-based, depending on the application. Also, note that stains and paints behave differently. You may find yourself having to restain sooner than you'd like, especially in areas that have excessive UVA exposure.

High Build Will Give Smooth Results

Most will recommend that you utilize a high build paint for the outside of your home. The reason being is you can get a smoother coat in less time. You can also use fewer products this way. Consider talking to your paint store associate to determine which brand and paint type are right for your needs.

Always Consider Your Color Carefully

With interior paint, usually, the sky's the limit. You can select any color that you would like, as long as it's not against a renters agreement if you rent. This is not the case with your home's exterior and other situations. If you have a homeowners association, they may require you to paint accordingly. It is rather likely that the paint color you choose will be around for a while. Because of this, you should give some deep consideration to what color would best suit the area and your individual preferences. In most cases, it's incredibly beneficial to choose something more modern and universally accepted. This includes beiges, grays, and white.

Final Thoughts

When painting the outside of your home, you may want to consider hiring a professional. The entire process is long, and unless you have ample time to get the job done, it may take longer than you think. Additionally, there are safety hazards involved with painting the outside of your home. This includes having multiple stories. The probability of falling is higher.