Read This Before Painting Your Home’s Exterior

<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dcr-apis/wp_contents/uploads/DCR-ADMIN/creation-painting-2913-example-of-work-4.jpeg" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/> Painting the outside of your house does more than update its curb appeal. A good exterior paint job protects siding, trim and structural elements from sunlight, moisture, and wear. But exterior painting involves far more than picking a nice color. Surface preparation, materials, and timing all affect how long the results last and how well the paint protects your home. Here’s what savvy homeowners should know before, during and after an <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/bay-area-painting-contractor" target="_self">exterior painting</a> project. Before the Project: Prep Matters More Than Color Before the first coat of paint is applied, it’s important to set yourself up for success with thorough preparation. Here’s how to do it: Evaluate your home’s exterior. Closely examine siding, trim, fascia and eaves. Peeling paint, soft wood and cracking surfaces may necessitate repairs or <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/bay-area-painting-wood-restoration" target="_self">wood restoration</a> before new paint can be applied. Painting over damage only hides problems, which can worsen beneath the surface. Choose materials that are designed for your climate. Exterior paints and sealants need to stand up to sun exposure, moisture, temperature swings, and wind. In some cases, specialty <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/bay-area-coating-exterior" target="_self">exterior coating</a> products provide durability and moisture resistance. A skilled painting contractor can explain which products will perform best on your specific home. Hire experienced, trustworthy painters. Exterior painting almost always requires ladder use, surface preparation and careful application. Look for <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/" target="_self">quality local companies</a> that are licensed, insured and experienced with exterior work. During the Project: Communication is Key From surface preparation to the finishing touches, here’s how to keep your project running smoothly: Expect thorough surface preparation. Professional exterior painting starts with cleaning, scraping, sanding and surface repairs. Additional services like <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/bay-area-pressure-washing" target="_self">pressure washing</a> remove dirt, mildew and old residue so new paint can adhere correctly. Skipping or rushing this step often leads to peeling and the need for repainting. Pay attention to weather and timing. Temperature, humidity and sun exposure change how paint cures. Experienced painters schedule their work around poor weather conditions and adjust their plans to protect the outcome. Communicate about details. Ask about trim lines, coverage and drying time. Speak up if something doesn’t look right so your painter can address the problem before the job ends. After the Project: Protect What You Paid For A fresh exterior paint job should look great and perform well for years, and a few final steps will help you lock in the results: Inspect siding, trim, doors and hard-to-see areas. Look for even coverage, clean lines and consistent color. Ask for touch-ups and bring up concerns while the crew is still onsite. Understand care and warranty details. Ask about paint longevity, recommended maintenance and what types of situations will affect your warranty. The better you care for your exterior paint, the longer it will last. Plan for maintenance. Exterior surfaces shine with regular cleaning. Hire a painting company to inspect and touch up your home’s paint to keep it looking fresh season after season. Find Local Painting Companies in Your Area No matter what type of exterior painting project you’re planning, Diamond Certified painting companies are here to help. These companies have passed <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/ratings-process/" target="_self">our rigorous rating and certification process</a> and are backed by the <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/performance-guarantee/" target="_self">Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee</a>. Alameda County <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/s-s-painting-coatings-inc/" target="_self">S & S Painting and Coatings, Inc.</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/certapro-painters-of-berkeley/" target="_self">CertaPro Painters of Berkeley</a> Contra Costa County <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/s-s-painting-coatings-inc/" target="_self">S & S Painting and Coatings, Inc.</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/miguels-professional-painting/" target="_self">Miguel’s Professional Painting</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/j-js-final-coat-painting-inc/" target="_self">J & J’s Final Coat Painting, Inc.</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/steve-roberts-painting/" target="_self">Steve Roberts Painting</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/paintmasters/" target="_self">Paintmasters</a> Marin County <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/divas-painting-inc/" target="_self">Divas Painting Inc.</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/gaidano-sons-painting-decorating/" target="_self">Gaidano & Sons Painting & Decorating</a> Monterey County <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/el-gato-painting-restoration-inc/" target="_self">El Gato Painting & Restoration, Inc. </a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/the-painting-pros/" target="_self">The Painting Pros</a> Napa County <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/classic-shades-painting-co/" target="_self">Classic Shades Painting Co.</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/creation-painting/" target="_self">Creation Painting</a> San Benito County <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/the-painting-pros/" target="_self">The Painting Pros</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/el-gato-painting-restoration-inc/" target="_self">El Gato Painting & Restoration, Inc. </a> San Francisco <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/metro-painting-co/" target="_self">Metro Painting Co.</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/michael-sack-painting-inc/" target="_self">Michael Sack Painting, Inc.</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/tara-pro-painting-inc/" target="_self">Tara Pro Painting, Inc. </a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/classic-shades-painting-co/" target="_self">Classic Shades Painting Co.</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/innovation-painting-plus/" target="_self">Innovation Painting Plus</a> San Mateo County <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/gruber-painting/" target="_self">Gruber Painting</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/dean-knecht-painting-inc/" target="_self">Dean Knecht Painting, Inc.</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/el-gato-painting-restoration-inc/" target="_self">El Gato Painting & Restoration, Inc.</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/craftworks-painters-of-the-bay-area/" target="_self">CraftWorks Painters of the Bay Area</a> Santa Clara County <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/the-painting-pros/" target="_self">The Painting Pros</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/stanford-painting-inc/" target="_self">Stanford Painting, Inc. </a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/cartwright-painters-llc/" target="_self">Cartwright Painters LLC</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/faith-painting/" target="_self">Faith Painting</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/craftworks-painters-of-the-bay-area/" target="_self">CraftWorks Painters of the Bay Area</a> Santa Cruz County <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/creation-painting/" target="_self">Creation Painting</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/the-painting-pros/" target="_self">The Painting Pros</a> Solano County <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/paintmasters/" target="_self">Paintmasters</a> Sonoma County <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/wine-country-painters/" target="_self">Wine Country Painters, Inc.</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/solidarity-painting-inc/" target="_self">Solidarity Painting, Inc.</a>