One of the best things you can do improve the appearance of a house is to make sure the exterior paint is in top notch condition. Exterior painting will give a house the quick face lift it needs to attract buyers if you are selling as it provides instant curb appeal. Exterior painting increases the value of a home by more than the expense. It's a win-win situation. Here are few quick and easy tips for improving the looks of your home in no time.
First, take a good look at the condition of the paint, both siding and trim, in various locations. Each side of a house receives different sun and weather exposure and exterior paint will deteriorate at different rates. You may find one side of a house in excellent condition, while another side, one that receives sun all day long, has peeling paint. Leave the good side alone and paint only the side that needs it. You may also find that the siding is in better condition than the trim, or vice versa. To do a quick exterior painting job, only paint what needs painting.
Second, pressure wash the house. Removing dirt and mildew before applying exterior paint is essential for proper adhesion of the paint. You may also find that after pressure washing, the house looks better and areas you thought needed to be painted were just covered with mildew or dirt. Or, pressure washing may loosen the paint in areas you didn't realize needed painting. Take a second look at the house and decide exactly what does and does not need exterior paint.
Now it's time to paint. When choosing an exterior paint for a quick and easy face lift of a house, always match the existing color. If you change colors you run the risk of having to apply multiple coats. This can be time consuming. The best way to get an exact match is to remove a small piece of existing siding or trim from an area you intend to paint and bring it to a paint store. Small retail paint stores like Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore, often do a better job matching paint than the larger home improvement chains, particularly if you are dealing with an unusual color.
Choose a mid-grade exterior paint. You do not need to spend the extra money for a top of line product for this type of exterior painting, but avoiding cheap paint will make your job easier and faster in the long run. A mid-grade exterior paint will go on easier and cover better. Some inexpensive paints are difficult to work with and the coverage is less than satisfactory. Spending a few extra dollars is worth it.
If you are doing the work yourself, also purchase a top quality paint brush such as a Purdy or Wooster The difference in the ease of paint application with a quality brush far exceeds the extra expense. The paint goes on quickly and easily and looks much better. The brushes can be cleaned and used over and over and will last a very long time if maintained. Choose a 3 inch siding brush to apply the siding paint and a 2 inch trim brush for applying exterior paint to the trim.
You are ready to go! Begin your work in the spot that needs it the most. Scrape any loose paint, caulk any unsightly gaps and apply the exterior paint. Work one section at a time and before you know it your house will look like new!