Can I Paint My Home’s Exterior in Winter?

Exterior Painting Services 317-454-3612

Exterior Painting Services 317-454-3612

Although winter exterior painting is not recommended, it is sometimes unavoidable. Cold weather can affect paint application and drying times, so it is important to use the correct strategies for the best outcome. When temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it is considered cold weather; but temperatures that drop below 35 degrees Fahrenheit are considered freezing weather, which is not conducive to outdoor painting.

If you have to paint your home’s exterior this winter, it is possible to do so as long as you paint within these cold weather surface temperatures (35° – 50°) and use the right paint products. Continue reading to learn more about cold weather outdoor painting, and some tips that will help you achieve professional-grade results for your home.

Cold Weather Exterior Painting Tips

There are many problems that can occur as a result of improper paint and too cold temperatures. These include poor color uniformity, slow drying times, improper film formation, film cracking, poor stain resistance, and more. The most reliable way to ensure your cold weather exterior painting project turns out right is to hire a professional painting contractor. They have the training, experience, equipment, and resources to deliver outstanding results in a convenient time frame. But if you are set on doing it yourself, be sure to follow these important tips:

Use an oil-based or acrylic exterior paint that is designed for cold weather temperatures as low as 27 degrees Fahrenheit.

*Recommended: Sherwin-Williams Resilience Exterior Acrylic

Use a quality bonding primer prior to applying the first coat of paint.

Choose a clear, sunny day to paint. Light and sun help drying time.

Always paint during the warmest part of the day (usually between 10am and 2pm). Follow the sun as you work your way around the house. Then stop working when temperatures start to drop.

Keep in mind that caulkers, fillers, and primers require warmer outdoor temperatures.

Cooler weather reduces drying time, so be sure to wait long enough between coats.

Be sure to also consider the surface temperature of your home’s siding. It may be colder than the outside temperatures, which can affect paint application and drying time. You can use a non-contact infrared thermometer to test surface temperatures.

Use the proper paint rollers and brushes for outdoor and cold weather painting.

Indianapolis Painting Contractors

Home Repair Service 317-454-3612

Home Repair Service
317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for superior home painting services you can trust. Owner, Lee Elliot, and his team of licensed Indianapolis painting contractors, provide a wide range of residential and commercial painting services, and we guarantee to BEAT any competitor’s price! Call us today at 317-454-3612 to request an appointment for an in-person written estimate at your earliest convenience.