The Effects of Weather and Temperature on Exterior House Painting

When painting the exterior of your house, the outside temperature and other weather-related factors can also affect the quality of the job. Our team of professional exterior house painters has compiled a list of the common factors that can affect house painting — plus the ideal weather during which to paint!

Temperature

• High Temperatures: If it’s too hot outside, there is an increased risk of the paint drying too quickly. Rapid drying can result in lap marks, which are essentially stripes on the surface caused by fast-drying paint edges. Professional exterior house painters apply paint strategically to avoid this, typically in small sections to limit drying time.
• Low Temperatures: On the other hand, in frigid temperatures, the paint may dry too slowly. It takes significantly longer for the paint to dry between coats. Paint can also freeze if the temperature is low enough, which can disrupt its ability to adhere and affect the surface’s overall appearance. Special paint formulas exist to enable painting at low temperatures.

Humidity

Humid and moist environments make it challenging to paint outside surfaces. Paint doesn’t dry as quickly when it is humid out, allowing the introduction of dust or drips while left to dry for an extended period. If a surface is too wet before painting, it can trap moisture under the paint resulting in bubbles or cracking. It’s generally best to avoid painting in humidity over 85%.

Wind

Windy conditions can also be detrimental to exterior painting. It can cause the paint to dry too rapidly, similarly with high temperatures. Additionally, wind can blow foreign debris like dirt or dust into the paint, resulting in a bumpy, uneven surface.

What Is The Ideal Temperature For Exterior Painting?

In general, the best temperature for outdoor painting is between 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with humidity under 85%. Choose a day without wind or very low winds to avoid introducing dirt or allowing the paint to dry too quickly. Be sure to check the night temperatures to confirm that the paint won’t freeze or allow dew to form overnight. Finally, consider the weather for several days before and after exterior painting. If the surface is still moist from previous rain or exposed to extreme temperatures in the days following the paint application, you could be disappointed with the results. It typically takes several days for the paint to dry completely and cure.

Hire Professional Exterior House Painters

A significant undertaking, the painting of a house exterior requires a considerable amount of planning. If completed in suboptimal conditions, the results may be incredibly disappointing. Should you need help completing the project, the experts at Pizzazz Painting are prepared for the task. We offer various other services, including residential painting, decorative painting, and much more. Reach out to our team today!

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