Ideal Temperature for Exterior Painting of Your Home or Office

If you’ve recently noticed that the paint on your home is cracking or peeling in some areas, or the color of your exterior office walls don’t seem to be as vibrant as they once were, it may be time to consider exterior painting of home or office services.

 

If you’re an avid DIY’er, you may be thinking about tackling this job yourself. However, it’s best to leave this magnitude of a painting project to professionals, especially when it comes to knowing the ideal temperature for painting the exterior surface of the structure. Not only do you not have the right painting tools but the amount of time you’d be spending on it would not be worth it. Professional painters have the skill, knowledge and a steady hand to do a proper job.

3 Types of Paint to choose from

 

As with any home improvement project or major renovation, you’ll want to research the different types of paint in order to choosing the right one for your home or office exterior. There are 3 types to consider:

• Acrylic – compared to latex paint (see below), acrylic paint is better when it comes to withstanding direct sunlight. Its chemical components provide more elasticity, thereby allowing it to contract and expand as the temperature changes.
• Latex – since the 1950’s, water-based latex paint has been the popular choice for the exterior painting of home or office projects. Latex paint is good for the environment, but is also mildew-resistant and quick-drying.
• Oil-based – if you want a paint that stands up to the Northeast’s weather extremes, oil-based paints are tough to beat. These paints are made from an extremely strong resin which makes it sun damage-resistant.

How do different Temperatures affect Paint?

 

The main problem with outdoor temperatures that are too high or low is that it might prevent your paint from properly binding with other materials. Here is what you need to be aware of where climate and temperature are concerned:

• Cold and freezing temperatures – lower temperatures can adversely affect a paint’s drying time as well as its overall consistency.
• Hot and warm temperatures – heat and direct sunlight can impact paints curing and drying time. Hot temperatures cause paint to dry almost immediately.
• Humid and wet conditions – the Boston and MetroWest areas are notorious for their eccentric and unconventional climate conditions. As a general rule of thumb, paint should only be applied to dry surfaces.

 

Consequently, the optimum temperature range for exterior painting of home or office projects is between 50° and 70°, although there is a 10-degree leeway on either side of the spectrum. To learn more about the best times to paint the exterior of your home or office, call Right Track Painting & Sealcoating at (617) 480-9831 today.