Having your home's exterior painted by a reputable home improvement contractor is an exciting milestone for a homeowner. It is important, however, to understand how the weather plays into the decision of when to paint. Here is a brief guide to the factors that determine the ideal time of year to have your house painted and why you may need to wait. 

What Weather Factors Should You Consider Before Painting Your House?

Temperature 

Exterior paint does not apply evenly in environments where the air temperature is cooler than 50 degrees or hotter than 85 degrees. Cold or humid temperatures interfere with drying, leaving partially wet areas to dent, crack, or peel off, while extremely warm conditions can lead to premature drying that leaves behind clumps and brush or roller marks. 

It can also be rather unpleasant or even unsafe for a home improvement contractor to spend several hours outside painting in frigid or sweltering temperatures. The best time of year to paint is typically late spring or early summer when outdoor heat isn't extreme.

Humidity

The ideal conditions for exterior painting include a humidity level between 40% and 70%. High humidity will prolong the drying process, creating an opportunity for your paint to drip and streak. A dry climate with low humidity means the paint could cure too fast, which can cause clumping or pilling in areas that have been gone over more than once with a brush or roller.

Precipitation 

Painting while it's raining is obviously not a good idea, as it could simply wash away the product as it's being applied. A less-obvious factor is that rain prior to painting could also cause your home improvement contractor to delay the project. A house's siding will hold onto moisture after it has been rained on. If the panels aren't given enough time to dry thoroughly, paint won't properly adhere to the surfaces and may end up sliding, dripping, or peeling off when it doesn't cure correctly.

If you're ready to have your house's exterior paint updated, turn to the team at Texas Home Improvement in Grapevine. For over 20 years, these home improvement contractors have helped homeowners improve the appearances of their properties, offering affordable and transparent pricing. They use Tex-Cote® products and can also handle various projects, from roof repairs and windows replacements to patio covering installations. Visit the website to learn more, or call (817) 488-9966 to receive a free estimate.