As the weather gets warmer and you begin spending more time sprucing up your yard, you may notice that your home’s exterior needs some attention. Painting the outside of your home can improve its value and boost its curb appeal.
You might think that this is a perfect time to hire a professional painter. The summer is filled with sunny days and leisurely schedules that make it a convenient time to tackle this project. But the hottest months of the year may not be ideal for ensuring the highest quality paint job.
How Does Climate Affect Exterior Painting?
If you’re thinking, “Painters near me probably don’t want to work in inclement weather,” you’re correct. Precipitation and uncomfortable temperatures can make it challenging for exterior home painting services to do their job well.
But the weather also affects the paint itself. Cold temperatures delay drying and promote moisture accumulation. Painting your home’s exterior in the Westminster CO winters can result in mildew, staining and cracking.
Hot temperatures can also impair your exterior paint job. They can cause drying and curing issues. If you don’t follow the proper techniques for exterior painting in hot weather, the paint may lift, crack, peel or blister. It can also become discolored.
The Science of Watching Paint Dry
Paint is more than spreadable color. It’s a blend of pigments, binders, solvents and additives. Understanding how these elements work together helps you to recognize what could happen if they don’t dry and cure properly.
The pigments are solids. They usually come from powdered minerals and won’t stick to or spread onto surfaces.
The binder glues the pigments so that they create a uniform shade. It also allows the pigments to stick to the surface that you’re painting. Common binders in exterior paints and stains include:
• Latex – a derivative of rubber
• Acrylic – a type of plastic
• Polyurethane – a flexible plastic
• Oils – plant-based oils take a long time to dry
The solvent interacts with the binder, thinning it out for easier application. In essence, it transforms the solution into a liquid that can be brushed, rolled or sprayed onto the surface. Additives preserve the paint, prevent bubbles, keep the pigments dispersed and provide extra protection.
When you paint your home, the moisture in the product must evaporate for the paint to dry. But the chemicals in the solution also undergo another process. As the solvent dries, the binders cure. This means that they go through a chemical reaction, which hardens the paint and bonds it to the substrate.
The weather affects the way that the paint dries and cures. If the paint can’t undergo these processes properly, it won’t adhere to the surface well. Its ability to protect your home will also suffer. Paint that doesn’t dry and cure adequately can crack, chip, dent, flake and bubble. After the paint has cured, they will be more durable and resistant to moisture and extreme temperatures.
What Is the Best Temperature for Painting Your Home?
There are two temperatures to consider for exterior painting. The air temperature should be between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure a successful latex paint application. But the surface temperature of the home should also be between 50 and 90 degrees.
When temperatures hit 85 degrees in the middle of the summer, your home’s siding could be 100 degrees. If you must have your home painted during this time frame, schedule the task for the early morning. Painting on an overcast day prevents extreme fluctuations in temperature as the sun shines on different areas.
Do You Need to Worry About Wet Weather?
Paint doesn’t bond well to wet surfaces. It’s best to avoid exterior painting on rainy days.
But humidity also plays a role in the way that paint hardens. Excess moisture causes some of the additives to leach from the paint, causing spots. It also impedes the drying and curing process.
Furthermore, porous materials, such as wood, absorb the moisture in the air. Painting them during this time prevents the moisture from escaping and can lead to mold and adhesion problems.
Should You Schedule a Mid-Summer Exterior Painting Job?
When you hire a professional painter, let them know your schedule and availability. In some cases, it’s possible to schedule an exterior painting job for the middle of summer. At American Painting Specialists, we are experienced with Westminster CO weather and temperatures. We will advise you on the best time to schedule the project.
How to Prevent Problems
In many cases, we can paint the shaded sides of the house as the sun moves through the sky. We use advanced techniques to ensure that our paint job results in the best quality finish. In fact, we guarantee our work and offer a five-year warranty. Every job is tailored to the client’s needs. We will work with you to ensure that your exterior painting project is completed according to our top-notch criteria. If you’re thinking of painting your house, contact us at your earliest convenience. We can work with the weather when we have enough time to plan for it.
