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Exterior Painting in Cold Weather

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exterior paint cold weather

Painting the outside of your home is obviously something that you don’t want to screw up. There are a bunch of different factors you’ll want to consider when painting the exterior of your home, such as paint type, paint color, sun exposure, cleaning your walls, but the weather/time of year is another huge thing to consider when painting your exterior. Living in Colorado, you’re definitely aware that it tends to get pretty cold on occasion, especially at nighttime. Cold weather can impact a bunch of different aspects of exterior painting, all of which you’ll want to be aware of to make sure you get a nice, well-painted home.

How Cold is Too Cold?

When it comes to exterior painting in cold weather, there is a lower threshold for when the paint won’t cure correctly.

You have the metaphorical “green light”, so to speak, to paint as long as it’s above 35 degrees.

Many paints with low curing temperatures do not have additives, allowing for a superior finish.

However, this “35 degrees” refers to the lowest temperature you’ll get that day. A common misconception is that you can paint when the daytime high is above 50 and the overnight low is below 35.

However, the daytime high isn’t the only temperature that matters. You should also consider the overnight low, which should remain above 35 degrees since exterior paint typically won’t fully dry and cure in half a day.

Temperature-wise, while you won’t face any problems during the paint application, you will encounter difficulties during the drying stage. Paints stop melding or coalescing if the temperatures are too low, even higher than 35 depending on other factors. Other factors, such as the brushes and type of paint, can make a difference in the results, too.

Uncured paints can also expose your home to unwanted moisture. Dew forms on surfaces overnight because cold air doesn’t retain water vapor as well as warm air. When the moisture evaporates, it causes ingredients to come to the surface, creating stains and hindering adhesion.

For exterior painting in cold weather, the key is to pick a paint designed for cold (35-degree) weather that is water-resistant. The formula lets the paint cure on time and wicks moisture away from your home. These paints have twice the moisture resistance as standard latex coatings.

painting in cold weather

The Best Paints for Cold Weather

Many major paint manufacturers offer special paints that are formulated for cold weather.

However, as we discussed earlier, most of these are rated for temperatures no lower than 35 degrees. If you’re going to be exterior painting in cold weather, it’s best to use one of these specially-designed paints. A paint that’s designed for lower curing temperatures will be much more reliable than standard paints mixed with additives for freeze-resistance or thinned for easier application.

Note that the temperature must be at or above the minimum recommended curing temperature for the entire curing process, not just during application. If you add a fresh coat of paint in 45-degree weather, but then the weather turns colder an hour later, the paint may not cure properly even though it will eventually dry. It’s important to track the weather and especially note the night-time low temperature.

Additionally, you’ll want to use a specialized paintbrush when painting with these cold-weather paints. Because paints are thicker in lower temperatures, it’s best to use relatively stiff brushes with nylon, polyester, or Chinex bristles, all of which tend to work well with thicker paint.

Tracking Local Weather Guides

Before beginning work on your project, you’ll want to check local forecasts and find a stretch of a few days when temperatures will be their highest and the sun will be out, as both of these will help speed up the drying process. You’ll ideally need to have a few days in a row when temperatures don’t drop below the minimum for the paint you are using because you also need to factor in drying time for multiple coats.

Plan each coat for times when the sun will be shining on the area you are painting. Direct sunlight quickly raises the surface temperature of most building materials. In hot weather, sunlight should be avoided, but in cold seasons it’s preferable to paint in direct sun. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, and throughout the day southern-facing walls will get near-constant sun. Painting north-facing or shaded parts of your home might be a little more difficult, so here’s where it’s especially important to understand when a good weather window is.

cold weather exterior house paint

Best Seasons for Exterior Painting

Generally, spring and fall are the ideal seasons for painting just about everywhere in the country. These seasons are when the weather is warm and the sun is not strong enough to overheat the surface that you are trying to paint. This is especially true in Colorado, where we frequently get very intense sunlight. It’s also less likely that you’ll encounter temps dipping too low, so you can ensure that your paint will cure properly and your home will look great.

Ultimately, the best season depends on where you live. For instance, if you live up in the mountains in Colorado, spring still might be a little too cold and you’ll want to wait until summertime. If you’re somewhere in the Denver area, however, you might be able to get away with starting a little earlier in the year or going a little later.

Experienced Colorado Painters

Here at Colorado Painting, we take pride in providing long-lasting exterior paint jobs and reliable customer service. We know Colorado (we’re locals) and we know painting – hence the name. We’ve assisted homeowners all across the front range of Colorado for decades. We strive to not only meet but exceed your expectations with every project in terms of quality, price, and communication.

Exterior painting in cold weather can be tricky. At Colorado Painting, we are continuously learning about the best products and application methods so that our customers get the paint job they want when they need it.

Give your home or office a fresh coat today!

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Robert TRobert T ★★★★★ Very easy to work with and expert results. I was impressed that they did the whole job in one day including some serious prep work. Lots of scraping and caulking. The house looks great with all the boards tightened up and the new coat of paint. Would recommend CCRP without hesitation.William K.William K. ★★★★★ Our experience with Colorado Painting could not have been better. From the prompt and friendly communication surrounding the estimate for the exterior paint job, to the efficient and quality painting on the finished product. All aspects of the experience were top notch, fairly priced, and completed in a professional manner.Matthew M.Matthew M. ★★★★★ Impressive work for painting the entire interior of the home. Minimal touch ups needed at the end. Company has the ability to resurface uneven areas with sanding and texture. Pricey but worth the end result.alison B.alison B. ★★★★★ We had a great experience from the beginning to end of our painting project! The original sales/quote process was so professional and the painting went quickly and was done very professionally. This is our second very successful experience with Colorado Commercial & Residential Painting. We'll use them again!Peter H.Peter H. ★★★★★ Colorado Painting provided an excellent quality of work for our exterior and interior house painting projects. The staff and painters were professional, friendly and very easy to work with during the projects. We are very happy with the final painting project. We recommend the company.C C.C C. ★★★★★ Colorado Commercial & Residential Painting recently painted the exterior of our house. We received competitive bids from other companies, but Colorado Painting stood out from the rest with their professional, knowledgeable, and courteous service.Hayden provided a comprehensive project plan of what repair work needed to be done and what materials would be use. Osman and his paint crew did an impeccable job making sure all surfaces were well prepped and taped off to catch any overshoot. When doing the inspection after the painting was completed we could not find any missed spots or places that needed paint reapplied. They also painted our rod iron deck railings and they look brand new.We would definitely not hesitate to hire Colorado Commercial & Residential Painting for any future painting needs.Holly G.Holly G. ★★★★★ The team was a pleasure to work with and the job was very well done. I couldn't be happier. The whole process was smooth, and they were very communicative throughout the whole process. I highly recommend them!Dustin B.Dustin B. ★★★★★ Great communication, execution, cleanup and follow-up. Highly recommended.Taylor L.Taylor L. ★★★★★ We are very happy with the paint job they did on the exterior of our house! From the initial quote and scheduling, to the prep, painting, and then the follow up quality check at the end, everyone at Colorado Commercial & Residential Painting made what felt like a daunting task a very seamless and enjoyable experience. The quote was reasonable and the team was professional and friendly. We have already recommended them to neighbors and friends!Patricia W.Patricia W. ★★★★★ Colorado Commercial &Residential Painting took on my project to paint my home. It had not been painted in 15 years, was dirty, peeling and chipping. They bid a competitive price without upselling. They did a beautiful job of washing, refurbishing and painting my home. It looks brand new and I would strongly recommend them!Mike B.Mike B. ★★★★★ I hired Colorado Commercial and Residential Painting to repaint my townhouse from top to bottom. The work was AMAZING. The final walkthrough was so great that I had nothing on my punchlist for them to fix! If you are considering a makeover, hire them!Todd V.Todd V. ★★★★★ Colorado Commercial and Residential Painting recently completed painting nearly 100% of our house’s interior. As the original owners of our 1999 home, we felt it was time for a change. Before the painters arrived, I decided to upgrade all our doors to solid core for a more high-end feel. I purchased pre-primed doors, installed them myself, and did some preliminary prep work.The painting team assured me they would make the doors and woodwork look amazing, and they delivered on that promise. They sprayed all the trim and new doors and rolled the walls with a new, lighter color. Even though I had prepped the doors, I noticed them improving some of my workmanship. They weren’t going to mention it, but I’m glad they did. The woodwork and doors now look like they belong in a 5-star hotel.Honestly, our house looks brand new and even better than the day we moved in back in 1999. Before selecting this company, I did some research with friends. While you can find cheaper bids out there, I believe you get what you pay for. Spraying the trim makes such a significant difference that it’s worth the extra work, additional cost, and minor inconvenience it causes.The team was highly communicative, very professional, and responsive to our needs throughout the five days they were here.I would definitely use them again and plan to do so for some exterior updates this summer.Pamela S.Pamela S. ★★★★★ Leo and his team did an amazing job painting our main level - ceilings and all! Colorado Painting is so helpful and friendly. The color they helped pick out with me is perfect. They are friendly, helpful, and neat! Thanks Colorado Painting!Josh SJosh S ★★★★★ We have completed several projects over the years with CCRP including basement and bathroom remodels involving tricky finish, texture and paint work, all of which were great experiences - fast and high quality work. I love finding locally owned and operated businesses that are a part of the community - you won't regret working with this company.Collin “.Collin “. ★★★★★ These guys were great! Responsive, in time and very professional. Highly recommend.Tracy S.Tracy S. ★★★★★ Colorado Residential and Commercial Painting repainted our home as well as our pergolas and I can’t say enough great things about them. The whole process went smoothly. So easy to work with as well as professional and just did an amazing job. If you need your home or business painted I would definitely give them a call!Jessie A.Jessie A. ★★★★★ They do a great job and everyone is friendly and helpful!Matthew F.Matthew F. ★★★★★ Excellent work, good communication and very quick. Highly recommend!Jessica T.Jessica T. ★★★★★ We have worked with the team at CCRP twice now and will definitely hire them again. The company is great to deal with- everyone is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, and the work is wonderful. They took the time to address extra details which were so appreciated. Highly recommend for both interior and exterior work.Monica J.Monica J. ★★★★★ They were great! I hired them for a big job -- the entire main level of my home and an upstairs bedroom, including two sky-high walls near my entrance. Everyone involved was professional, punctual and tidy. I made a mistake in not reading the quote carefully enough, but they worked with me to get the job done the way I envisioned it.js_loader
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