Is It a Good Idea to Paint During the Winter?
If you own a home, chances are you have a lot on your plate. Before you know it, December has rolled around yet again and you’ve let another year slip by without updating your paint job. Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Home improvement projects take time and can put a dent in your wallet. As a result, you might feel like it’s never a good time to paint your home.
But let’s say that you have some extra time and a bigger budget than usual this winter. Should you wait until spring to hire Raleigh house painters, or is it okay to get started while the outside air is still cold? There are plenty of opinions, myths, and anecdotes about winter painting out there. While we may not come to a conclusion here, let’s try to determine whether or not it’s a good idea to paint during the winter.
Should You Paint Your Home in the Winter?
Why is Winter Painting Contentious in the First Place?
There are a number of reasons folks might warn you against painting during the winter. The main reasons revolve around temperature. While not all regions in the U.S. experience extremely cold air in winter, many do.
Paint is best applied in certain conditions. If it’s too hot, too cold, or too humid, the paint might have a hard time adhering to the surface, dry too slowly, and end up with an uneven finish. There’s plenty of leeway between extreme temperatures, though. Generally speaking, as long as the surrounding air is above 35 degrees Fahrenheit and below 85º F, your paint should be just fine. As for relative humidity, these levels should be somewhere between 40 and 50% for optimal drying. Winter is actually advantageous in this regard since the air is typically dry.
Winter also means shorter days, so painters have less daylight to do their jobs, potentially prolonging the project. Of course, this really only applies to exterior paint jobs, since interiors can be easily lit no matter how dark it is outside.
With that out of the way, here are some tips for painting during the winter.
Exterior Painting Should Wait
When painting your home’s exterior, your Raleigh house painting services are at the whims of the weather. Temperatures and humidity levels will fluctuate, the wind will come and go, and rain and snow may be just around the corner. And, as mentioned above, the sun doesn’t stick around very long during this season. In some places, winter days might be somewhat temperate. Still, it’s usually wise to let the season pass before cleaning your home’s exterior and applying a new coat of paint. This way, you can enjoy your new paint job longer and not worry about inclement winter weather wreaking havoc just after the job is complete.
Interior Painting is (Usually) No Problem
Interior painting during the winter, on the other hand, is a different story. When painting your home’s insides, you have control over the climate, and you’re able to adjust the temperature, humidity, and lighting as you see fit. Of course, the better insulated, weatherproofed, and ventilated your home, the better. If your walls are thin and wind can get through the cracks, you may lack the control necessary for a proper paint job in the winter. Some homeowners prefer opening up windows and doors during a paint job to let the fresh air in. In winter, this isn’t the best idea, of course, as the outside air may be too cold, and you’ll end up wasting energy, too. Make sure you’re using low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints to ensure safety and minimize fumes.
Lower Demand, Lower Cost
Hiring a Raleigh painting company in the winter might actually save you some money. After all, most homeowners hire painters in the warmer months, making the winter season more of a buyer’s market. In this sense, it’s a great idea to paint during the winter.
Quality Paint (and Painters) is Key
Lastly, no matter the season, choosing the right painters and high-quality paint will make all the difference. The better the paint, the less susceptible it is to environmental factors like temperature and humidity, making winter less of an obstacle. Anderson Painting contractors only use the best Sherwin-Williams paint products for both interior and exterior paint jobs.
So, is it a good idea to paint during the winter? As far as interior painting goes, yes! In fact, it might be the best time for your needs.
At Anderson Painting, while we may do most of our business in the spring, summer, and fall, we’re prepared to help you tackle your winter paint job as well. For more about us and everything we do, call us today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
