Keeping your home updated and look fresh does not require you to invest in an all-out remodeling project or purchasing new elements for the exterior of your home. While you can boost your home’s curb appeal by upgrading your front door or hiring an expert to landscape your lawn, sometimes, all you really have to do is to give your home’s exterior a fresh coat of paint.

Painting your home’s exterior, though may seem a laborious and difficult process, is actually an easy DIY project, given that the materials you will basically need for the job are a few buckets of paint, brushes, scraper, and the right skills, knowledge, and patience to execute the task properly.

When done correctly, a fresh paint job on your house exterior can significantly enhance the overall aesthetics and value of your home without incurring the same expenses you would make for any other remodeling project. An adequate layer of paint will also improve the protection of your house against the harsh elements of nature such as the sun, wind, and rain.

When properly applied, new paint can protect your house exterior for about 10-15 years. In order to achieve this, though, you need to ensure that you use the right materials, and most importantly, ensure the proper preparation of the surface that you intend to paint.

Thorough preparation of the surface is crucial for the paint to adhere properly. If you paint your exterior wall, for instance, you may need to scrub or power wash the surface first to get rid of dirt, grime, mildew, and chalky residue that may give the paint a rough, patchy finish. If you do not remove these residues first, the paint will prematurely crack and begin caulking away soon.

When preparing the surface, it is also important to keep a close eye on any holes on the surface. If you are painting your exterior siding, for instance, you must inspect if there are any holes in the surface caused by insects. Sometimes, holes will only be visible after you scrape the remaining old paint off the surface. Regardless, you can repair the damaged surfaces by applying epoxy filler to cracks or holes then lightly sand it after to ensure an even, smooth surface.

Aside from surface preparation, another key factor that could make or break your exterior painting project is the quality of materials you will be using. The quality of the paint, specifically, can significantly impact the finish of the surface since not all brands have the same formulation and different surface materials require a different type of paint.

In general, latex paint is an ideal paint to use for exterior painting since it is easier to maintain and lasts long just like oil-based paint. Oil-based coatings, however, are a must if the surface you will be painting is cedar or redwood because they prevent the wood extracts from leaching out and create rusty stains.

If you want to learn more tips on how to paint your house exterior, check out the infographic below from All County Exterior.