How Exterior Painting Protects Your Home

On average, it is recommended that the exterior of your home be repainted every 5 to 10 years. However, this timeline will depend on several factors. Such as the weather and conditions where you live, the type of exterior on your home, and the previous paint job. Learn about how exterior painting protects your home, including the benefits of exterior painting. Plus check out some of our favorite exterior paint color combinations!

The Benefits of Repainting the Exterior of Your Home

Before investing in exterior paint, it is best to consult a professional to see if repainting is necessary. If it is determined that your home needs to be repainted, the cost may cause some concern. Let us reassure you however that the benefits of repainting your home are worth the investment!

1) Curb Appeal

One of the immediate benefits of repainting the exterior of your home is curb appeal. A fresh coat of paint is a quick fix for signs of age and weather. It is also a good way to reduce the visible age of your home, by giving it a modern and updated look. Improving the curb appeal of your home will increase the overall property value, which will also benefit that of your neighbors.

2) Keeping Out Unwanted Guests

Large animals are a nuisance, but small critters and insects can do significant damage to a home. Especially termites! Exterior paint helps to seal the most insect-prone wood on a home. Unfortunately, the access point for insects is often at the ground level, which also happens to be where the paint will wear the fastest. Regularly inspect your home for termites or places where the paint has become damaged, and that may be more susceptible to unwanted house guests.

3) Extend the Life of Your Siding

The main function of a home is to protect you and your family from the elements. Depending on the location, it was likely designed using materials made to withstand a specific type of weather. For example, homes in Denver often feature siding that is more impact-resistant. Every single day the life of your siding lessens. Maintaining the paint will help it last as long as possible, usually between 20 to 50 years.

4) Protection From the Elements

Exterior paint is a barrier that protects your siding, extending its life. Therefore reducing the likelihood of damage, and that the cold or moisture will penetrate your home. When moisture from rain or snow makes its way past the paint and to the wood of your home, it can lead to serious problems. 

5) Prevent Mold, Mildew & Rot

Mold, mildew, and rot are a result of moisture repetitively penetrating the paint and wood of your home. Eventually, it will cause the wood to soften and weaken, posing a serious risk to you and your family. Unfortunately, once rot takes hold, there is no undoing it. The only fix is to replace the structural wood – which will cost a lot more than if you were to regularly repaint the exterior of your house.

Exterior Paint Colors

Need some inspiration on exterior paint colors for your home? Here are just a few popular color pairings!

Carbon & Pure White – This classic combo is a beautiful pairing that won’t go out of style. It is also a great option for those who like a bold contrast between different elements on the exterior of your home. Such as the walls and shutters.

Olive Green & White – Green and white have peaked in popularity over recent years, especially on homes that feature raw wood. Variations of these colors look good with all shades of wood, especially dark and yellow tones.

Red & White – If you aren’t afraid to go bold, then go with red. Preferably a true red, that easily contrasts with red. This color also looks good on homes that feature industrial elements on the exterior.

Cream & Coffee – For a cozier exterior, cream and coffee are a charming combination. These colors are a good choice for those who prefer a neutral palette that is modern, but not boring.

Olive Grey & Creamy White – Olive green and cream are another neutral option but are earth-inspired. These colors look stunning with homes in a more woodsy setting, or those feature stone elements.

Are you in need of exterior painting services? Helix Painting in Denver is committed to making your home painting experience simple and hassle-free. Our exterior painting services include walls and siding, trim, doors, garages, and more. Book your exterior painting estimate or request a free estimate online.

How to properly prep for exterior painting?

Proper prep is the key to any paint project, particularly an exterior painting project. Without proper prep, even the best exterior paints may fail. Prep is time-consuming and detailed work, but it is the foundation of your exterior painting project. The following key steps will make sure your exterior painting project starts on the right note.

1. Start with a good cleaning

While you cannot always see it, your home’s exterior likely has a layer of dirty from dust, pollen, and other particles in the environment. Without thoroughly cleaning your home’s exterior, your paint will end up sticking to that dust and not the home’s siding or trim. This is likely to cause the paint to fail in the future. Additionally, be sure to let the surface dry before you start painting. Depending on where you are located, this make take a half a day to several days.

2. Repair damaged surfaces and hammer in loose nails

Rotten or damaged wood needs to be replaced to prevent larger problems within your home (ie water intrusion). Paint on rotten or damaged wood is likely to fail. Additionally, you’ll want to be sure all loose nail heads are hammered back in to create a smooth surface.

3. Scrape loose or peeling paint

As you can imagine, if you paint over loose or peeling paint, you will end up with finished product that doesn’t look very good and the new paint is likely to start peeling again quickly. You want your home to have only well adhered paint or bare surfaces to ensure the paint will hold up properly.

4. Sand scraped surfaces and rough areas

Any areas needing scraping or with rough exposed wood will need to be sanded. Sanding the surface helps to create a smooth finished look. Be sure to wipe down areas that were sanded to ensure any resulting dust is removed.

5. Caulk

Caulking a home helps to avoid water intrusion. You want to be careful to apply the right amount of caulking to be sure seams are filled while not applying too much caulk and impeding natural expansion or creating a bumping finished look. Before applying new caulking be sure to dig out any existing caulking from the joints that has either cracked or pulled away from the joint.

6. Prime

Any replaced boards or bare wood needs to be primed to allow for proper paint adhesion. Additionally, for those people living in climates where snow can build up on the home, we often recommend an extra level of prep including priming the bottom three boards of the house and along the roof line where snow accumulates. Primer is inexpensive relative to the cost of paint and a good quality primer will help keep extend the life of your home’s paint job.

Your now ready to apply your paint. There are many great paints on the market for exterior painting. We love both Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore paints. Talk to your painting company or local paint store to figure out what paint is best for your project and budget.

If you are looking for a professional painting company, Helix Painting is happy to come out and give you a free estimate. We offer a variety of exterior paint packages with extended warranties. You can book your estimate on our website or give us at call at 720-445-9856.