Mike Poole Decorators

Discover the best time of year to paint the exterior of your house for optimal results. Learn how weather conditions, temperature, and humidity affect paint application and drying. Find expert tips on choosing the ideal season for exterior painting to ensure a long-lasting and beautiful finish.

Early June and October

Painting the exterior of a house needs perfect weather conditions, and the best months in this regard are early June and October. These months provide stable and comfortably mild temperatures, which is ideal for the paint to thoroughly dry and cure.

These conditions help to prevent issues like cracking or peeling in the paint. During these months, the weather allows the paintwork to dry without cracking, running or becoming bleached. For homeowners in the UK, these months are particularly ideal for exterior house painting.

House exterior painting is a large activity that needs careful planning and thorough preparation. It's crucial to keep an eye on the weather forecasts before beginning the project, as rainy days can hinder the proper drying of paint; this can lead to unsatisfactory outcomes, resulting in both your time and paint being wasted. Therefore, to get the best results for your painting, consider preparing it for early June or October.

What Are The Ideal Weather Conditions?

The ideal weather conditions for exterior painting can vary depending on the specific climatic conditions of your location. However, as a general guideline, when planning to paint the outside of your home, you should make sure that the weather will remain fairly stable for at least a couple of days. Ideal painting temperatures generally fall between 10 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Painting in direct sunlight can cause the paint to dry excessively fast, leading to cracked or blistered exteriors. Weather in the UK can be unpredictable; therefore, when deciding the best time of year to carry out exterior house painting, it's crucial to steer clear of the more unpredictable seasons, such as winter and late summer.

During these seasons, the weather is more prone to be excessively cold or hot. Choosing the right conditions not only ensures a quality finish but also prolongs the lifespan of your paintwork.

When there's high humidity, it extends the drying time of the paint, leading to a heightened risk of sagging, running, or bubbling. This leaves the surface finish uneven and can need additional touch-ups, or even a complete re-do of the painting.

Conversely, when the air is dry with low humidity, the paint tends to dry too fast; this can result in weak adhesion to the surface and can compromise the quality of the finish. Therefore, humidity should never be too high or too low when painting.

With high humidity, the paint tends to become denser, making it a challenge to achieve an even spread across the surface. Furthermore, it can potentially lengthen the drying time between applying different coats; thereby extending the whole painting process. On the other hand, low humidity can cause the paint to lose its thickness, which can lead to drips and runs.

Spring

Exterior house painting is a task that is best done during the spring, especially in the UK where this season typically has milder temperatures and longer hours of daylight. After the long and cold winter months, spring provides homeowners with an ideal opportunity to start any painting tasks they might have.

The weather plays a significant role in determining the quality and longevity of a paint job - for instance, high levels of humidity can extend the drying time of the paint, creating a chance for it to peel or not harden as it should. If this happens, it can lead to problems like flaking which, in turn, can reduce the life of the paintwork.

Another benefit of painting your home's exterior in the spring is that it aligns with the season's sense of renewal. Painting your house can dramatically transform its appearance, making it feel fresh and new. In short, spring has the ideal weather and longer exposure to daylight to make it an excellent time for exterior house painting.

Autumn

Autumn in the UK is recognised as an optimal time for exterior house painting. This is mainly due to the ideal and calmer weather conditions that the season offers. Much like spring, autumn also has milder temperatures and steady humidity levels - traits that are heavily important for providing a high-quality painting result.

Cold and damp conditions or sweltering heat can hurt the quality of the paint job. Autumn acts as a break from these extremes, providing a balanced climate that's beneficial for exterior painting.

A unique trait of this season is the mix of warm days that transition into cooler nights, a feature that helps in the gradual drying of the paint. This slow drying helps to avert the risk of paint bubbling or peeling off - which can be a typical issue when the paint dries too fast due to high temperatures.

This, in turn, ensures that the paint attaches to the surface more effectively; resulting in a smooth, seamless finish. Beyond aesthetics, this also enhances the durability of the paint, enabling it to withstand many types of weather conditions. This durability helps to provide a lasting and superior paint job.

Which Paints Are Best For Exterior Painting?

Choosing the best type of paint for exterior walls plays a vital role in achieving a resilient, beautiful and long-lasting finish. Acrylic, latex, and matte paint each offer unique properties that can suit your needs. Acrylic paint is made of high-quality components that make it thick and sturdy; its composition gives it elasticity, allowing it to expand and contract with changing temperatures.

As a result, acrylic paint is an excellent choice for exterior jobs, proving itself as durable and long-lasting. It's recommended for wood, aluminium, and fibre cement, and it also works well on plaster and drywall.

Latex paint is a cost-effective alternative to acrylic. Being water-based, latex paint is simple to apply and clean, making it appealing for DIY-ers. Latex dries quickly and can also expand and contract depending on the temperature.

However, it's crucial to buy latex paint that's specifically designed for outdoor use, as both interior and exterior types are available. Your choice of paint will also depend on the finish you're looking for - which is determined by the ratio of resins and binders to pigment levels.

Flat, or matte, paint provides a solid, non-glossy finish. It's often the first choice for older houses, as it easily camouflages any surface imperfections; giving the walls a modern look. However, being highly porous, flat paint is not durable enough for high-traffic areas.

Matte paint isn't suitable for doors, windows, and floors; therefore, it's best used on exterior walls. In conclusion, deciding on the best paint type for your exterior is a balance of durability, ease of use, safety considerations, and your desired aesthetic. It's important to choose the type of paint that best fits your needs.

exterior Painting Services Northampton

If you require further assistance on your painting and decorating, please contact our professional and experienced team of painters and decorators. We will be happy to help you redesign and decorate your home interior for maximum comfort and entertainment. 

If you require interior painting and decorating services for Northampton or the surrounding areas, follow the link below.