Ask a homeowner about the best time to paint their home, and chances are, winter won’t be mentioned. However, that doesn’t mean that cold weather and paint can’t mix. While it is true that house painting during winter can be a little tricky, it can still turn out to be as great of a project as having it done in the summertime. If you want to paint your house during the winter months, you can do so. But you need to consider the following:
What is the Minimum Temperature Needed?
Many homeowners prefer to have their house painted in warmer months. But some may want to have exterior or interior painting done during winter. When it comes to painting, cold weather is defined as temperatures from 35 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Exterior Painting
Many painting contractors agree that if temperatures stay above 35 degrees Fahrenheit, exterior painting can be done. But since overnight temperatures will chill exterior surfaces, it’s essential to give your newly painted house adequate time to dry. One way to do this is to begin painting in the late morning allowing the sun to warm up the surface. Then, stop painting around mid-afternoon to give the paint enough time to set. Also, there are paints, primers, and coatings that are designed for use in low temperatures. Painting professionals are aware of all of these.
Interior Painting
When it comes to interior painting, the paint will dry faster. Ventilation is important to protect against paint fumes. The best way is to let the air in by keeping the windows open. This will help the paint dry more quickly. The crisp winter air will help the paint set faster than it would during summer.
Temperature’s Impact on Paint
It is important to understand how low temperatures affect paint application, characteristics, and drying pattern. Oil and alkyd paints are based on resins and natural oils which become more viscous during cold weather. Some paints will become semisolid or thick, requiring excessive thinning.
Slower evaporation rates can cause latex paints to freeze at low temperatures. Those may require additives to improve freeze resistance. The same additives can also be used for painting during hot weather to make the brushing and rolling process easier. These factors add to the mixing time before applying the paint.
Tracking the Weather and the Sun
Before the actual house painting, check local weather forecasts. Schedule the house painting job when the sun will be out and temperatures will be at their highest. This will help raise the temperature in the section to be painted. You will need a few days when temperatures do not drop below the minimum for the paint to be used, as drying time should also be factored in.
Conclusion
House painting during winter, whether outside or inside, takes careful planning. Just make sure that the paints to be used are appropriate for cold conditions. Coordinate the painting project with the weather forecast and the location of the sun to utilize as much heat as possible. With proper planning and the right painting contractor, there is no reason not to undertake that home painting project this winter.
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