The exterior painting job is the second most popular outdoor work after siding the house. It can be done easily and cost-effectively. Exterior Painting Contractors generally use paint bucket systems to paint the exterior walls of the house. A single gallon of paint comes for around $100 at the local hardware store and is enough to cover a medium-sized residence. Painting the outside of a two-story house with a square footage of more than 1,000 sq. feet costs average from $2,500 to more than $4,000 depending upon national average costs.

Paints are available in three basic types of paint: water-based paints, oil-based paints, and latex paints. Water-based paints contain water, non-water, and solvent or oil-based humectants to prevent the surface from drying out or sticking together. Water-based paints have long been used because of its affordability and low toxicity levels. However, they are not recommended for exterior applications because they tend to fade from exposure to heat, sun, wind, and moisture.

Oil-based paints are usually applied on the trim and facings of the house to seal and give a matte finish. These paints are very durable and provide a rich, rustic feel to the surfaces. They are great for trim that tends to get exposed to rain and snow during the winter season. Latex-based exterior paint gives a glossy gloss finish to painted surfaces that resist fading and staining.

Before painting, it is important to prepare the surfaces to make sure that you get a professional quality finish. There are many methods of preparing the surfaces, but the most effective way of preparing the surfaces is by using a high quality primer. Primer helps add shine and protection to the finished product as it serves as a protective layer that prevents the paint from evaporating or seeping through the paint into the surrounding areas. There are two types of primer; oil-based and latex-based.

Oil-based primers build a thicker layer of paint and tend to give the surface a richer, darker color. It also helps protect the paint from evaporating or staining. Because they are thicker and require more application time, they are more expensive than latex paints. Latex-based paints are much easier to apply with a swisher gun because it generally does not contain the protein or emulsifiers that oil-based paint contains. They are also less messy and do not need to be touched up after application unlike with oil-based paints.

There are three different types of exterior siding. The most popular ones are cemented, plywood, and vinyl. If your siding is made of plywood, then you are better off with latex paint. Exterior siding made of vinyl and cemented siding are not compatible because the former lacks the moisture barrier that is necessary to keep the cemented siding dry.

Whether you are having your siding professionally installed or doing it yourself, it is important to make sure that you choose the right type of paint for your type of siding. It is a good idea to pick a color that goes well with the siding you already have as painting will tend to shift colors from the siding to the new surface. Once you have chosen the proper paint, it is best to let it dry completely before touching anything to the surface.

Painting can be a daunting task, but you can ensure that it is a much better experience with the right preparation and tools. Ensure that you do your research and pick the type of primer that will work best for you. It is much better to spend a little more on an exterior paint coat than to have to re-primer it after a short period of time due to a bad application. If you follow these simple steps, you should end up with a great-looking finish that lasts for years to come.