Guide To Home Improvement - Exterior Painting Basics

Painting the exterior of your home is a major project. If you're set on doing it yourself, there's a lot you need to know in order to do the job properly, efficiently, and safely.

All houses have different painting needs. Depending on the material on your home, painting may not even be necessary. Some varieties of house siding don't take paint well, and come in factory colors that won't fade or flake easily. The technique you use to paint aluminum and vinyl house siding is very different from wood panels, which is different from the technique you would use to paint brick.

Necessary Exterior Painting Materials

A sturdy ladder
Paint scrapers
A bucket
Primer and paint
Scrub brushes
A power washer
Brushes and extra rollers
A caulk gun and caulk

Power equipment and ladders can often be rented from hardware and home improvement stores, but the bulk of your equipment will need to be purchased outright. Splurge on ergonomic paint rollers and high-quality replacement rollers to save time and energy. If you're painting house siding, you may want to have extra house siding panels on hand to repair dented or cracked house siding pieces you didn't see from the ground.

The Importance of Prep
Preparing the materials and surfaces for a major paint job is just as important as the actual painting. Examine the exterior to determine if repairs are needed before the paint goes on. If your home was last painted before 1978, the paint is likely lead and may require professional removal. Washing, scraping, recaulking, and repairing the exterior will take about a week of work to complete, but will make a world of difference in the life of your paint job. Once the surface is ready, prepare it for color with a coat of primer. An exterior primer will seal the wall and provide a smooth surface for your color.

In the case of exterior paint, it's sometimes worth it to hire outside help. Materials and rental costs may be cheaper if you do the work yourself, but professionals will be more accustomed to tedious prep and dangerous ladder work. Compare costs and decide how much the convenience is worth for you.

About the Author
Amelia Gray is a teacher and freelance writer in San Marcos, TX. Amelia earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Arizona State University.