Ready to give your home a color makeover? Painting the exterior of your home is an exciting prospect, and you may be tempted to throw caution to the wind and paint as soon as possible. In North Central Florida, sunny days and warm temperatures that last most of the year may seem like perpetual painting weather. But is that always the best move?

4 Factors to Consider Before Scheduling Your Paint Job

The truth is that temperatures, humidity, and weather patterns can all affect the quality of your paint job. If you paint at the wrong time of year or in the wrong weather, you could end up with cracked paint, streaks, patchy colors, or uneven textures and bubbling. The best time of year to paint is the time when weather conditions help paint dry evenly and thoroughly without getting wet.

Here are four weather factors to consider before you schedule your next paint project.

Temperatures

The ideal temperature for an external paint job is not too hot, not too cold (thanks, Goldilocks). The extreme heat of summer can cause paint to bubble or dry unevenly, while very cold temperatures can keep paint from curing correctly. We recommend choosing a time of year when temperatures will be between 60 and 85 degrees.

Humidity

High humidity can also cause problems with paint, such as taking too long to dry or trapping moisture in surfaces. While it is possible to paint at times of the year when humidity is higher, it takes extra planning and a little know-how to ensure good results.

Rain

Keep an eye on the rain forecast as you schedule your project, because your new paint job will need at least four to eight hours to dry before getting wet. While paint may appear dry faster than this, it’s always best to allow plenty of time to avoid the risk of streaking or discoloration.

Wind

Many people overlook the risk of wind when they plan a paint job. It’s an important consideration, however, because a windy day can stir up dust, dirt and debris that could mar your beautiful new color.

When Should You Schedule the Paint Crew?

With all of these factors in mind, when is the best time to paint the exterior of your home? In North Central Florida, we recommend painting during the winter for best results. This typically means you should choose a date between October and March to avoid high temperatures, humidity, and excessive rain. If winter isn’t a good time for you, the next best time is early spring, although you may have to work around more rain days.

What If You Need to Paint Your House Right Away?

A professional paint crew can work with you to paint your home almost any time of year. They can prevent some of the risk factors of paint in heat and humidity by choosing a cooler time of day and using the right paint and techniques.

Still, the recommended course of action is to paint when conditions are most favorable. In the meantime, you can prep your home by cleaning exterior surfaces, repairing any damage or dry rot, and planning your color schemes. Summer and fall are also great times to paint the inside of your home as you wait for cooler days outdoors.

When you’re ready to schedule your paint job, call CorsPaint! We’ll help you choose the best time to schedule your paint job and help you plan your project with a color consultation and free project estimate! Call us today and give your home a fresh new look you’ll love!