All essential information about painting the exterior of your house

Your house's exterior is its initial impression. It's what greets you every time you return home and what catches the eyes of passersby. The color of your house makes a statement—is it vibrant and inviting, or perhaps more somber and striking? If the message your home conveys isn't to your liking, a fresh coat of paint can make a significant transformation.

Consider the experience of homeowner Tessa Hubbard. While house hunting in East Dallas' Wilshire Heights neighborhood, she stumbled upon a Tudor-style home. "Initially, I dismissed the home because of its color," Hubbard recounts. "Although the architecture and details were delightful, the deep brown hue didn't suit my preferences. It significantly influenced my perception, and we almost rejected it."

Upon exploring the interior, Hubbard and her husband were captivated by the floor plan. "After purchasing, painting the exterior became our top priority. It dramatically altered the curb appeal and overall perception of the house," she adds.

Selecting an exterior paint color for your house

Certainly, when choosing a paint color for your house, it's essential to explore various inspiration sources. "Exploring Pinterest or Houzz for color ideas serves as an excellent initial step," advises Blake Byrd from Knox Built Construction, known for new builds, remodels, and additions.

Designer Alison Kirkpatrick, the founder of Lane Living Design, suggests seeking inspiration from your local area. "Observe neighboring homes," Kirkpatrick advises. "Avoid duplicating a neighbor's color while ensuring your choice blends well with the surroundings."

This strategy mirrors Hubbard's approach in picking her home's new exterior hue. She toured the neighborhood, capturing photos. "I noticed one recurring color scheme in my album," she explains. "Then, with guidance from a local paint consultant, we finalized the precise colors."

Selecting the right color isn't solely about swatches; it involves considering your property's specific features. "Our house boasts numerous trees, casting ample shade that influences the overall paint color," notes Hubbard. "Moreover, the house's stonework and diverse angles create varying shades for the paint."

Compliance with homeowners association (HOA) or conservation rules is crucial. "Dallas is generally lenient, but there are exceptions," mentions Byrd. "Some gated communities or conservation districts have regulations, yet residents usually understand them. Beyond these areas, there's more freedom."

For Hubbard, collaborating with color strategist Juli Roland from Paint Color Help fine-tuned her dream home's palette. "With numerous decisions, hiring a paint consultant was crucial for us to confidently tie the overall look together," she reveals. Your painter (bearing in mind that "painting your exterior is a substantial project," warns Kirkpatrick) might offer valuable insights. Even an interior designer, though focused on interiors, can be a useful resource.

"If you haven’t engaged a design team or interior designer, and exterior painting is your sole focus, seek input from friends or someone in the design field for a second opinion," recommends Byrd. "An extra perspective can be quite beneficial."

Pointers on painting brick, stone, and various home exterior surfaces

Almost any surface can be coated with paint. In the case of a house composed of both stone and brick, Byrd suggests opting for a slurry finish on the stone instead of painting the entire home uniformly. "For instance, if the main entry gable is made of Austin stone and the rest of the house is red brick, applying paint to both materials creates a blend of brick," he explains. "Instead, consider a thick slurry coating over the stone."

Indeed, painting brick remains a favored option among homeowners, particularly in white tones. "Numerous homes built in the '80s and '90s featured shelf brick in shades of brown, beige, and red," notes Byrd. "That trend has faded away. A lighter brick palette revitalizes and brings a modern touch to the house."

If your house has vinyl siding, it's essential to clean and thoroughly dry it before painting. Opt for a color that's similar or lighter in shade compared to the existing one for optimal results. Darker colors tend to absorb more heat, potentially causing warping.

Try out the paint color

"We suggest painting a small portion of the house's exterior, like a discreet section of a wall or trim," mentioned Kirkpatrick. "This gives an accurate preview of how the color will appear on your home. Keep in mind that colors might look different on various surfaces, so it's wise to test them in multiple areas." Kirkpatrick also notes that lighting conditions and weather can impact color perception, so try testing at different times of the day and in various weather conditions.

Byrd advises selecting up to four colors within the same color family and applying 2 feet by 2 feet samples on all four sides of the house. "Especially with white paints, they can look different on different sides and throughout the day. It's crucial to see the color in different lighting conditions," Byrd explains. Once a color is chosen, a larger sample can confirm it's the right choice.

For new constructions, Byrd follows a similar process using a mock-up of the future walls. "We create a 6- or 7-foot-tall mock-up of the brick and paint it on-site," Byrd mentions. Asking your builder for a comparable color test can be beneficial.

Can you undertake painting your house's exterior as a do-it-yourself project?

This home improvement task might be better handled by professionals. Here’s advice from Jerry Long, owner of Jerry Long Painting. (Based in Richardson, Long serves the D-FW area. He doesn’t have a website, but he can be reached at 214-232-9450.)

Consider the house's height

“If the house requires a tall ladder, I wouldn’t advise homeowners to tackle that themselves,” Long advises. “It often leads to injuries from falls.”

Evaluate the house's condition

“When a house is in poor condition, requiring extensive caulking for wood cracks and dealing with peeling paint that needs scraping, priming, and power-washing, it becomes a time-consuming task for a homeowner,” he mentions.

Assess the necessary equipment

Professional painters come equipped with ladders, paintbrushes, caulking guns, putty knives — all items you'd need to acquire, along with the paint.

Consider the homeowner's skill level

“The quality of the job can be compromised if the homeowner lacks experience in painting large surfaces like a house,” Long emphasizes.

What is the expense associated with painting a house?

The pricing for painting the exterior of your residence varies based on factors such as its size, number of stories, home age (older houses often demand more preparation, despite being smaller), and the chosen paint.

For instance, Long illustrates the costs for different homes in the Dallas area. A 2,000-3,000 square feet, single-story brick house from the 1970s may require an estimated painting cost between $2,500 to $4,000, contingent upon necessary preparations. Conversely, a two-story brick house constructed in the 1990s or 2000s might range from $3,500 to $6,000. (These price brackets cover labor and materials.)

If your house has siding, expect higher expenses due to increased preparatory work, such as scraping and sanding, as stated by Long.

The duration required for painting your house

The size of the house and the crew's size significantly impact the duration. Referring to his example of a 1970s brick home in Dallas, Long notes, "A house in that range, priced at around $3,000, typically takes about three to four days to paint." The drying process occurs relatively faster, typically within a matter of hours.

If you choose to undertake the exterior painting of your house yourself, the timeframe will rely on your painting skills and the amount of time you invest in the task.

The time of year when you schedule the house painting can also affect the duration due to temperature considerations. Painting in cold temperatures can impact paint drying, increase the likelihood of cracking, and reduce the paint's lifespan. Sherwin-Williams mentions that their Duration, Resilience, and SuperPaint lines can be applied at lower temperatures, down to 35 degrees, while traditional latex-based paints require temperatures above 60 degrees for proper curing. This necessitates warmer weather during application and afterward. Always consult the paint's guidelines for specific temperature requirements.

Fast and effortless ways to refresh the exterior of your house with paint

If a complete exterior paint job for your home isn't feasible (or if you're content with the current color), applying a fresh coat of paint to the home's trim and door can offer the desired upgrade. Kirkpatrick emphasizes that doors, shutters, and trim provide an opportunity to express your style. "I always suggest making a statement with your front door or shutters, as these elements are easier to modify later," she suggests. For instance, she recently painted a house door in Highland Park a stunning lavender shade using Benjamin Moore's "Amethyst Sky."

Byrd echoes the sentiment that these areas are perfect for introducing more vibrant hues. "I think windows offer a great chance for this, especially the shutters. When it comes to windows, there are two approaches. If you wish to add a bit of flair, I'd opt for a dark bronze to give a steel look to the windows. Or, if your house has a white exterior, painting light blue shutters could break up the monotonous white," he recommends.