Summer Tips: Updating Your Exterior Paint in the Heat
We have read many articles with helpful tips about painting the exterior of your home during the warm summer months. And since we live in Arizona, we are far too familiar with the heat. In fact, we are already seeing triple digits!
So, what should you do if you need to update your home’s exterior paint in the Arizona heat?
Prep!
Just like with any paint job, preparation is key. Start by washing off and dirt and dust that is on the surface of the exterior of your home. Once that is clean, it is time to scrape off any old paint that is flaking and peeling off. This is best done by sanding the surface. After the surface is completely clean and ready, always use the primer of your choice. Primer is a must before applying any coat of paint.
Paint!
There are different types of paint to choose from and you should always look at the paint performance properties like the color fade, gloss loss, adhesion and more that will play a factor in your choice. Certain paints work better on specific types of surfaces, but 100 percent acrylic paint works best on many different types of exterior surfaces.
Choosing the color is a crucial choice, especially living in sunny Arizona. Keep in mind that dark colors with end up absorbing more heat and energy. That is why lighter colors are more popular in Arizona. Lighter color paints reflect light, which helps with the durability of the paint film and might even be considered energy efficient since it absorbs much less energy than darker paint colors.
Weather Conditions
Before starting your exterior paint job, there are some weather conditions you need to take into consideration.
Especially on extremely warm days, start your paint job in the early morning. You want to try and not paint when it gets over 100 degrees, which isn’t always possible in Arizona. Also, avoid painting when the exterior is getting exposure to direct sunlight. This is another reason to start painting earlier in the day, the sunniest part of the day tends to be between 12-4 and could cause issues while painting. Windy and breezy conditions are never ideal for any paint job. So, when Arizona is experiencing their famous monsoons and haboobs, avoid updating your exterior’s paint.
Want to update the exterior and interior paint of your home? Hire residential painters you can trust! East Valley Painters offers a 10-year warranty and we also provide free estimates!
Painting Your Home: Prioritizing Rooms
Thinking of painting multiple rooms? It may not be as easy as you think. You will actually need to strategize and plan ahead for a smooth painting process. That means picking which rooms to paint first and which rooms to save for last. Check out this most effective room order for when you want to update the pain in multiple rooms throughout your home.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
You will want to paint your bedrooms and bathrooms first thing and get them out of the way. This is because you want your bathroom to be available for use and you want to be able to use your broom to sleep in and for a place to go to keep the paint fumes out when you’re painting the rest of your house.
Kitchen
The kitchen is another room you won’t want to paint first as well. This is because you don’t want your food like your fresh produce to go bad and you will still be able to use your kitchen. This means you will not be forced to eat out for days. The kitchen needs to be a room that is easily accessible like your bathrooms.
Living Room or Den
Since the living room or den is going to be one of the largest rooms to paint in your home, it will also be one of the most difficult and takes the longest to complete. You will want to cover your furniture or remove it out of the room completely. This can cause a mess, which is why having your bedroom done before hand is a good idea so you can use it to escape the mess and paint fumes.
Laundry Room
You are going to want to wait and paint your laundry room last. Make sure to wash all of your clothes first and never leave any clothes in the room while you are painting because you never want your clothes to smell like paint. This is another reason why having your bedroom done first will be helpful, so that you can keep your clothes in there while working on your laundry room.
Tip
If you are not choosing to use a safer paint option that cuts down on the paint fumes, you will want to light a candle or open your windows to air out the house and reduce the smell of paint.
Need help with painting your home? East Valley Painters is your go to residential painter for all of your painting needs! Get a free estimate today!
How Often Should I Update the Exterior Paint on My Home?
It is a question many of us dread to ask, when is it time to update my home’s exterior paint? It isn’t a black and white. There are actually several factors to consider.
Everyone wants a home that is up to date and a nice paint job shows a well-maintained home. First, always design a plan and make sure that a routine paint job is your budget before taking the plunge and making the commitment to repaint.
Did you know that different material requires different time frames?
If your home has wood siding, aluminum siding or stucco, try to update the paint about every 5 years.
If your home has cement fiberboard siding or painted brick, try to update the paint about every 15 years. Unpainted brick just needs to be cleaned regularly.
Factors that can impact your exterior paint
Climate
The climate of the area you are living in impacts the durability of the paint. For example, living near the coast will cause paint to be updated more frequently because of the sand and sun damage along with the constant salty air. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can degrade the chemical compounds in the paint. This is why the quality of the paint you use is also important and plays a role in the durability of your exterior’s paint.
Different Paint Types
Darker paints will lighten quickly, especially if they are oil based.
Fortunately, the more updated paint options are acrylic latex and happens to be more durable against all of mother nature’s elements. This paint will less likely blister, crack or even harden over the years.
Glossy and semi-glossy paints are also durable, but they might expose flaws more easily.
Not only is the quality of your paint important, but so is the quality of the painter and supplies used. Instead of stressing about doing the work yourself, it is a good investment to hire a residential painter to get the job done for you!
Signs you may need to update your home’s exterior paint
- Any paint damage that includes paint that is faded, peeling, chalking or blistering.
Ready to update your home’s exterior paint? East Valley Painter’s is your premier residential painter that can provide you with a free estimate!
The Best Painting Tools for a Flawless Paint Job
It doesn’t matter if you are doing it yourself or hiring a professional residential painter, you always need to make sure that you are using only the best and top quality tools and supplies for a flawless paint application.
Clean surface
First, start with a clean surface, especially if the wall you are painting has any holes or cracks. Caulk might be needed, but keep in mind to never use any expired products. If you are planning to use sandpaper, always use the right grit for the surface.
Use the right tape for the project
There are so many options to choose from when it comes to painting tape. Make sure to get the right one for your project. Tape cane be used to protect certain elements from getting painted on, like the baseboard or where the wall meets the ceiling. If you plan on leaving tape up for a while, use the kind that states it can stay up longer. This will prevent the paint from dripping through the tape.
Prime prime prime!
Primer is always a must! It really does make the paint job look spectacular. Just like with tape, there are many options when it comes to primer, so make sure you are choosing the right one for the walls you are painting. If you have a previously painted wall with any grease or water stains, there are certain types of primer that are better for this job. If you are painting new drywall, choose a primer that seals! This means you must always read the labels on the primer to find the right one.
Rollers & brushes
Of course, using the right rollers and brushes is very important when applying painting. For painting a large surface area, a roller is perfect! You may even need to get an extension. But choosing the right fabric of cover for the roller is also important. Covers that are made of synthetic fibers are best to be used with water-based paint or latex paint. For a glossier look, use foam rollers. Brushes are great to use when needing to get in those hard places. To paint the trim, use a 2-inch brush. For painting walls, use a ½ inch brush. And most importantly, ALWAYS clean your brushes after each use!
Not sure you want to DIY? Looking for a residential painter? East Valley Painters always uses right tools and supplies!
Color Trends for Your 2018 Interior Design Plans
A new year brings new trends and a fresh new look to the interior design of your home. And in 2018, stunning colors are expected to fill your space with all of the right feels and styles. Color plays an important part in your décor and this year, make sure you are adding the right hues.
You may have already noticed that black is back in style. It has been growing in the recent year with no slowing down in sight. Especially since the color can be added practically to any bedroom, bathroom or kitchen. Adding a few black accents throughout your home will add an elegant and edgy look to your space.
Berry hues like strawberry red, blueberry and raspberry pink are another way to give your interior design a facelift. The great thing about these colors is that you can go bold with more red tones or subtler with light shades of pink. These softer berry colors can add an extra feeling of warmth while still making a statement with your décor.
For a more sophisticated and calming look, go with shades of blue and green. These colors are known to infuse your area with mellow vibes and offer more of a cooling feeling. Plus, it is a great neutral and natural look for bedrooms.
Different shades of gray are going to be popping up even more this year. These tones can be used many different ways to enhance your interior décor with many options like a stony purple-gray shade or more of a cool blue-gray shade.
If you are looking for more of a warmer look for 2018, you can never go wrong with adding different beige tones to your interior design. These shades of neutral are a stunning compliment to any room in the home.
Wanting to go bold this year and hire a residential painter to add these colors to your walls? Contact East Valley Painters today for a free estimate!
Upcoming Home Trends for 2018
The new year is just around the corner and now is the time to be planning for any home remodeling in 2018. And the popular home improvement site, Houzz, just released their list of 2018 trends. Hint: Think vibrant colors!
- Kitchen: More Colors!
By adding more colors to the kitchen, you will be creating a warmer touch and more personal look. Plus, with more colors, it will be less noticeable to see stains from cooking.
- Rich Colors Across the House!
Staying on the color train, add more rich colors throughout the house to help make your furniture and décor stand out more.
- Change Up Your Sinks!
Try to stay away from those stainless steel and white sinks. In 2018, add sinks made of stone, copper and granite.
- Bedroom: Soothing Colors!
Add calming hues with minimal designs for a more relaxing space.
- Detailed Walls!
This trend started in 2017, but will become even more popular in 2018. Think about adding wooden walls with etched designs in your bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms.
- Vintage Lighting!
Light fixtures with a vintage look are making a comeback. One of the most popular vintage lighting fixtures are aged copper with pendant lights.
Houzz is the go to site for all of your home improvement and decorating ideas. The list is compiled from user feedback and feedback from home professionals. From photos to articles to recommendations, the site offers products and ideas for all of your decorating projects along with a list of home contractors to help.
Do you need help from a residential painter to get these looks in the new year?
Increase Property Value by Updating Your Home’s Exterior Paint
If you are considering to put your home on the market, you might want to think about ways to increase your property value with home improvement projects. The value of your home can depend on a number of thing, but in the end, it can rely heavily on the appearance of your home and that includes the exterior paint.
Buyers do not want to worry about having to deal with expensive repairs or home improvements when purchasing a home. A new paint job is just one less than for buyers to have to worry about. Plus, since the appearance of your home plays a large role in the property value, many times you will be asked the last time you painted. If it happens to be recent, this is a beneficial selling point that could increase the value easily. It is worth spending the extra money to hire a residential painter so you know the job is getting done right.
Color is important and can make the house look more appealing by making it look larger with light-colored shades or making it look smaller with dark-colored shades. It often reported that more buyers are attracted to light colors like neutrals, whites and creams. So, be mindful when choosing the main colors of your home along with the trim colors.
Keep in mind the balance of the colors of your home’s exterior paint. Try to keep darker colors at the bottom of the property to avoid a top-heavy feel. This can be accomplished by using deep-colored shrubs in front of your home. Also, pay attention to the color of your door. This happens to be a big first impression to buyers.
Since Arizona sees some serious heat most of the year, it is important to protect your vinyl siding from heat damage by using the same color or even a lighter color.
It might be a big investment at the time, but updating your home’s exterior paint can really pay off when selling your home or when you need to compete with other properties in your neighborhood. Consumer Reports report that updating your home’s exterior paint can increase the property value by 2-5 percent. Focusing on the paint of your exterior is an affordable way to significantly increase your property value, especially when compared to vinyl siding installation.
If you are looking to hire a great residential painter to do all of the work to upgrade your home’s exterior paint, call us today for a free estimate at 480-688-4770.
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Fall in Arizona is always beautiful. The cooler temperatures with clear and sunny skies, it is the ideal season to spend time outdoors and it is also an excellent time to paint the exterior of your home. Luckily, pretty much any time year-round is good for exterior painting in Arizona, but the fall guarantees to have the right temperatures along with the perfect weather.read more
The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Painter
Why it’s a good idea to get help from an expert
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How Arizona’s Monsoon Affects Your Exterior Paint
Don’t let the Arizona’s monsoon stop you from improving your home’s exterior paint!
Summers in Arizona brings crazy thunderstorms full of wind, hail and rain. It is usually referred to as Arizona’s Monsoon. It starts June 15th and ends September 30th, but peaks in July and August. Since we are right in the middle of Arizona’s Monsoon, it is the time that these storms can cause damage to your exterior paint and become a big inconvenience.read more