How to Paint Your Home's Exterior Like a Pro 


Photo by Tina Rataj-Berard on Unsplash

Summer is in full swing, which means that it's the perfect time to give your home a new exterior coat of paint to make it look new. But, if you're like most people right now, you probably are not comfortable having visitors, including professional painters, in your home. Luckily, you don't necessarily have to be a professional painter to handle a DIY painting project smoothly. By following these tips, you can make your exterior painting job a breeze even if you've never attempted such a project before. 

Choose your supplies carefully 

Some of the supplies you'll need before starting your project include paint, extension ladder, paint roller, paintbrush, painter's tape, and a roller sleeve. To save yourself some time and frustration, you must be careful to ensure that you choose the right supplies, starting with the paint quality and color. First of all, good quality paint won't leave any brush strokes as you paint, which means the job will take a much shorter time to complete and you'll have a smooth, better-looking finish in the end. Good quality paint will also last longer, saving you from having to repeat the job too soon. After splurging on great paint, don't pinch pennies on the application; make sure you also get good brushes and roller covers to increase your chances of success. 

Prepare your wall 

Before you start painting, you must do some prep work on your walls to make the job easier and to ensure the best coverage. Start by pressure washing the walls from top to bottom to remove dirt and dust buildup. Once the walls are clean, give them a close inspection taking note of any damaged surfaces and repairing them. Start by applying epoxy filler to all holes and cracks you see and then fill any gaps between the house and the trim around doors and windows using exterior caulk. You can also get rid of loose or chipped paint using a medium-grit sanding block or a paint scraper. Lastly, cover your windows, doors, and lighting fixtures with plastic sheeting and painter's tape. 

Get to painting 

With your high-quality supplies within reach and your walls properly prepped, it's time to get to work. If you are using multiple cans of paint of the same color, mix them into one large container to ensure that you apply an even coat of paint. Once that is done, get your ladder and start painting from the top working your way down. This will make it easier for you to control streaks resulting in a more uniform paint job. As you paint, your goal should be to have enough paint on the wall that allows the brush to glide smoothly but not so much that it forms runs. Once you're done painting the walls, you can remove the coverings on your windows, doors, and lighting fixtures and then paint them using a different color.

You don't need advanced painting skills or lots of painting experience to make a major exterior design impact in your home. By doing what the experts do, you can have a professional-looking paint job that not only extends the life of your siding but also increases the value of your home. 

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