How To Prep And Paint The Outside Of Your Home In Wisconsin

The quickest way to add curbside appeal and value to your Wisconsin home is by redoing the exterior with a new coat of paint.

Painting the outside of your house is a much bigger and complex project than painting the interior. Not only does exterior painting require the right equipment, tools, and paint, it requires quality workmanship to achieve professional, long-lasting results. Unless you have the time and experience, exterior painting is best left to someone who has the knowledge and expertise to leave your home looking great for a long time.

Here’s everything you need to know about exterior house painting:

Prepare Exterior Surfaces

Before painting can begin, walls and other surfaces need to be cleaned and prepared. In fact, professional painters will tell you that prepping the exterior is just as important as applying the new coat of paint.

1. Power Washing

In order for new paint to adhere and apply in a clean smooth finish, surfaces need to be clean. Power washing gets rid of dirt and grime and helps to remove loose and peeling paint.

2. Caulking

Filling in cracks and seams around siding and trim will make the paint job look better and last longer. Caulking should also be done around windows, door frames, and new or repaired wood siding and trim. For exteriors, painting contractors will use top-quality outdoor caulking that’s suitable for all weather conditions.

3. Patch stucco

Cracks in stucco will need to be patched to prevent them from getting larger and damaging the paint finish. Smaller cracks can be filled in with caulking, while larger cracks can be repaired with an elastomeric patch that prevents recurring cracks.

4. Protect unpainted areas

Your home needs protection for areas that aren’t getting a coat of fresh paint. Windows should be covered up and wider-width painter’s masking tape can be used around light fixtures, concrete, and roof shingles. Drop cloths placed around the house can protect the perimeter, including gardens and sidewalks.

For exterior house painting, call a professional painter in Wisconsin.

Exterior Paint Options

You’ll need to use paint that’s been designed for the outside of your home and can endure extreme weather conditions. Your best option is an exterior latex. One thing to note is that the higher the gloss rating, the more imperfections will show through the paint:

• Acrylic flat latex – Ideal for both the body and trim, a flat latex is easy to apply and minimizes the appearance of surface imperfections.
• Low-sheen enamel – Easy to keep clean, a low-sheen latex is a great choice for siding.
• Semi-gloss – Use on shutters, trim, and molding for a bit of shine. Semi-gloss is durable and withstands wear and tear.

The number of gallons of paint needed to complete your project will vary based on the square footage to be painted. Most paint, per gallon, will cover about 200 to 350 square feet. On average, a 1,700 square foot single story home will take about 25 to 30 gallons for the main body, plus three to four gallons for molding and trim.

When it comes to color, you have a wide palette to choose from. Keep in mind that the color should reflect the style of your home and how much sunlight your house gets during the day. Use darker shades in sunny areas and lighter colors to reflect more natural light in shady areas.

Need help with your exterior painting project? Contact a HomeAdvisor paint contractor in Wisconsin.

This Patch article is sponsored by HomeAdvisor.