The Best Time To Paint Your House Exterior

Now, it’s no secret that Alabama is no stranger to unpredictable weather conditions, from our sun-drenched summers (in all their humid glory) to the storms that we’ve all become all too familiar with. But what does that mean for exterior painting?

CAN MY HOUSE BE PAINTED DURING THE WINTER?

The truth is, the winter season offers more than a well-deserved break from the summer sun. With less humidity, homeowners can expect their paint to dry in as little as six hours, ensuring no curious fingers make their way onto your freshly painted facade.

That said, as we know all too well, Alabama’s cooler temperatures overlap with the rainy season. As a rule of thumb, we’ll need at least five days of dry, sunny weather after painting to create the smooth finish we’re known for. It’s how the paintwork cures, making sure your brand-new exterior doesn’t wash away as the rain falls – or bubble, peel, or streak its way to being dry.

For best results – and we’re sure that’s what you’re looking for – the ambient temperature shouldn’t fall below 41°F whilst the painting is in progress. So, our advice is simple: Focus on your interior over the winter, and then move to your exterior as Alabama starts to warm up a little. It’ll be worth the wait.

CAN MY HOUSE BE PAINTED DURING THE SUMMER?

Now, it wouldn’t be a surprise to think that summer is every exterior painter’s dream, free of those wallet-draining rainchecks. But in reality, many paints – particularly masonry paint – should only be applied when the ambient temperature is below 70°F. Unsurprisingly, this rules out most of the summer months, depending on what paint suits you best, from your ideal finish, your personal style, and the landscape around your home to the materials we’ll be painting over.

SO, WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO PAINT THE EXTERIOR OF A HOUSE?

With Alabama’s rainy season lasting from November to April, and the always-scorching summer season spanning from June to August, we think of May, September, and October as those golden months – cool enough to cure, without the rain that wreaks havoc with our finished product. That said, we’ll always be happy to take on projects outside of these months, as long as we’re stepping into the right conditions.