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Is it Ever Too Cold to Paint in North Carolina?

calander Nov 24 , 2020 user-iconAnderson Painting
Woman holding a paper house in winter snow

With winter on its way, you and many others might feel guilty for putting off that painting project yet again. In truth, though, the colder season doesn’t necessarily preclude paint jobs. Indeed, if you live in a warmer or relatively moderate climate, there may be openings for paint projects all year long -- yes, even during the winter. So, what about North Carolina? Is it ever too cold to paint in the Old North State, or can you hire Raleigh house painters year-round? The answer can be complicated, so let’s discuss this further.

What to Know About Painting in Winter

When Is it Too Cold to Paint?

First, we need to establish the ideal temperatures for painting to take place and why it matters in the first place. Simply put, if the environment is too hot, paint can become thin and dry faster than it should. And if things are too cold, the paint can become thick and take a long time to dry, leaving it vulnerable to dirt, debris, pollen, etc. For oil paints, temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit are too hot for proper application, and temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit are too cold. Latex paints have a slightly smaller range between 50 and 85 degrees.

Ideally, you want to get your exterior painting done when it’s about 65-75 degrees and won’t fluctuate too much throughout the day or overnight. Painting in this range will help ensure that the paint goes on smooth and dries at a proper rate.

How Cold Does it Get in North Carolina, Anyway?

North Carolina is largely considered a humid subtropical region (other than for its mountainous areas). This means that, depending on where you live in the state, temperatures can reach as high as 90 degrees (in July and August) and dip as low as 0 degrees or below zero (in January and February). Of course, every winter is unique, and areas at higher altitudes experience colder winters than those at lower levels. Raleigh, the state’s capital, typically experiences its share of colder days starting in November and ending around March. These late fall/early winter temperatures can range from about 30 to 63 degrees, while the dead of winter typically doesn’t exceed 55 degrees. As such, many Raleigh painting companies see less work between November and March -- some may even shut down for the season. However, there is often plenty of work for painters in North Carolina to do even when temperatures drop significantly.

Interior Painting Is Almost Always on the Table

Unlike outdoor painting projects, interior painting is not beholden to the whims of the weather. This isn’t to say that the indoor climate doesn’t matter (it does, of course) -- it simply means that because you and your painters have much more control over the temperature and humidity levels inside your property, you can paint year-round. So, when it comes to interior painting, it’s never too cold outside to get the job done, as long as you can maintain a proper painting environment inside.

The Verdict

So, is it ever too cold to paint in North Carolina? When it comes to exterior painting, yes, namely in the months of November (though this is variable), December, January, February, and March (also variable). These are the months that can yield temperatures below that 40-degree threshold mentioned earlier. Still, it’s worth mentioning that even during these colder months, temperatures can fall in the acceptable range for painting, so it’s best for you and your painters to play things by ear. And even if you missed the boat on exterior painting this year, you can still get a head start on your interior painting project, regardless of old man winter.

Whatever the case, Anderson Painting works year-round, offers flexible scheduling, and pays close attention to the climate in which we paint so we can deliver the best results. For more about us and everything we do, call us today at (919) 610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!


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