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Best Time to Paint Your House Exterior

Generally speaking, the best time to paint a house exterior will depend on your area’s weather and overall climate.

For example, it’s ideal to paint in the late spring or early fall in milder and hotter climates to avoid the chance of extreme heat. When the paint is exposed to high temperatures, it will cause the water in the paint to evaporate at a much quicker rate. This results in faster drying times and inconsistent film formation. This can lead to the paint appearing patchy in areas where it has dried too quickly. High temperatures can also reduce the durability and adhesion of the paint film. In colder places, it’s better to paint in the summertime to avoid temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, as the paint will not cure properly.

Learn more about the factors that impact the best time of year to paint a house exterior

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Best Time to Paint Your House Exterior
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Factors That Impact When to Paint House Exterior

The best time to paint your house exterior will depend on several factors. It’s important to know how each can affect your home’s final appearance.

Some of those factors include the following:

  • Temperature: Paint sticks to surfaces better in temps between 50- and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (this is the perfect range for the paint to fully cure and dry). It’s also vital not to paint during periods of light rain or excessive humidity to prevent the paint from flaking and cracking.
  • Weather conditions: The best conditions to paint under are mild temps, low humidity, and no rain. This is because extreme heat or cold can result in paint drying too fast or too slowly, which can lead to uneven surfaces.
  • Exterior condition: How your home’s exterior looks can influence the overall aesthetic of the applied paint. Before painting our team of professionals will prep the exterior of your home by removing any dirt and debris, including patching and repairing any surface as needed.
  • Paint used: Some paint types have varying drying and curing times. The quality and type of paint applied can impact the look of your exterior paint job. Five Star Painting uses only high-quality, long-lasting paint from Benjamin Moore, Behr, and Sherwin Williams.
  • Direct sunlight: Direct sunlight can cause paint to dry too fast and with uneven lines. If possible, it’s better to leave the painting for when the sun isn’t beaming right on your home.

In a nutshell, the best season to paint a house exterior is late spring or early fall in areas with mild climates, anytime other than summer or rainy seasons in areas that are hot, and the summertime in regions with cold winters.

Factors That Impact When to Paint House Exterior
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How Long Does Exterior Paint Last?

Usually, high-quality exterior paint can last for five to 10 years. A paint’s lifespan is also contingent on the following:

  • Proper surface prep, including cleaning and priming the area before painting.
  • Paint quality, which can impact its durability.
  • Weather conditions at the time the paint is applied.
  • Climate, especially in areas with extreme temperatures.
  • Frequent maintenance to fix imperfections.
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For your peace of mind, we also offer a warranty. Specifically, our residential and commercial painting services are warranted for 3 years. With us, your paint job isn't done until it's done right. Visit our warranty page to learn more.

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Exterior Painting FAQ

Years of experience, professional expertise, attention to detail, and a decades-long commitment to providing exceptional customer service are the things that set Five Star Painting apart from the competition. Each independently owned Five Star Painting location operates by the highest standards, which includes using only high-quality products to ensure the interior and exterior of your business look their best. Our commitment to your satisfaction also includes applying our industry knowledge and years of experience to answer your questions. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about exterior painting services.

  • It depends! While summer is often the go-to season for exterior painting, winter can actually be a good choice depending on your location and climate. Lower humidity and more consistent temperatures (that don’t fall below 50℉) in winter can be ideal for paint drying and curing, leading to a longer-lasting finish. Plus, you might find painters have more availability during the off-season. Ultimately, the best way to know if winter is the right time to paint your house is to consult with a professional painting company like Five Star Painting.

  • You can rest assured that our painters are skilled, knowledgeable, and respectful.

  • Our production managers ensure a smooth, efficient process, keeping everything on track.

  • We will only leave beautifully finished surfaces behind, and nothing else!

  • Our local experts always arrive on time and stay on budget.

Painting professional painting the exterior of a home.