11 Tips for Painting Exterior Trim
11 Tips to Paint Exterior House Trim
We will guide and offer you a few techniques for painting your home’s exterior. If you are a homeowner looking to have your home repainted this article necessitates the need to use good technique. When approaching the process of painting exterior trim let’s make sure we get it right!
We appreciate the importance of proper exterior painting for home improvement. Our painting professionals bring decades of combined experience to every job we undertake and we are letting you in on a few secrete that will transform how you undertake the process of exterior home painting.
Let’s dive in!
Accessing the Overall Exterior Condition
If you want to upgrade your home’s aesthetic appeal, painting exterior siding should take priority due to its prominence.
Home repainting is cost-effective if you wish to give your house new life. It is also easy to give your home a personal touch by applying colors based on your preferences.
While many contractors’ focus is on the siding, exterior trim requires equal if not more attention. Home trim is the structural component that ties different aspects of exterior décor together. Without corner boards, fascia, soffit, windows, doors, and exterior porches your home would be pretty basic.
Exterior trim gives your home’s exterior façade a uniform and harmonious appearance. A report on USA Today state that the quality of a home repainting can determine the market value of your property.
To help you achieve the dream, our team has created a guide on how to trim exterior trim.
The Importance of Detailed Trim Painting
Painting exterior trim is normally the final phase of home repainting projects. It is understandable that at this stage, you want to complete the project as expeditiously as possible. However, painting trim calls for persistence and attention to detail.
If you rush through painting exterior trim there’s a big risk of ruining the entire project. Attention to detail gives the impression of professionalism and quality.
During this stage also ensure that your efforts help seal the surface from UV, moisture, and foreign materials. Here are a few tips.
Exterior Trim Painting Tips
Tip 1 Check the Weather
When learning how to paint exterior trim wood, the weather is an important consideration. You should not paint in direct sunlight as this forces the paint to dry faster. This could potentially cause unsightly/ heavy brush marks. Windy weather can also blow dirt into the paint job.
Tip 2) Learning About Safety
Learn and confirm the EPA regulations for lead-safe practices in your area. This applies to homes built before 1978 with the idea being to protect yourself and neighbors from airborne lead particles.
Tip 3) Washing the Home
Pressure washing the exterior surface is the first step to producing great results. Paint doesn’t work well on dirty exterior surfaces.
Tip 4) Inspecting & Preparing The Trim
Look for any wood or siding damages, or any other issues around doors, windows, and joints that require repairs. Make sure all surfaces are dry and remove loose, flaking paint. Sand all rough areas to ensure a smooth paint application.
Tip 5) Caulking Cracks
Caulk is a filler and sealant and also tackles any gaps and cracks on the walls, doors, and windows. It is a great solution for such minor problems before repainting the trim. Ensure the caulking dries first before repainting.
Tip 6) Prime the Surfaces
For any bare wood on your trim, apply a primer before painting.
Tip 7) Choose the Right Paint
Water-based acrylic latex is the best to repaint exterior trim. Choose a paint that applies easily, dries quickly and that cleans up with soap and water. Worried about painting during the pollen season? No need to worry. Acrylic paint dries fast and there is no effect from falling pollen.
Tip 8) Work from the Top to Bottom
Start with the gables, dormers, eaves, and gutters before painting doors and windows. Proceed to the porch rails and other remaining trim.
Tip 9) Exterior Window Painting
Work from the sashes out to the frames when repainting exterior windows, sashes, sills, and jambs. Window sills should receive close attention as they suffer exposure to the elements. Older windows may require window glaze.
Tip 10) Door Repainting
If you are not steady using a paintbrush, remove the knobs, latch plates, and door knocker. If possible, you can also remove the door from its frame and paint it on sawhorses.
Tip 11) Painting shutters storm windows and screens
To ensure the best results in painting shutters remove them from exterior wall spaces and paint on sawhorses. Rehang the shutters using gloves or damp cloths to handle them after the paint dries. Cloths and gloves will eliminate handprints.
Need Help?
Our team of painting experts is always ready to offer any advice on painting exterior trim. Our commitment and promise are to deliver the best painting services and advice.
