Exterior Painting – Five Steps to Get the Best Results in Exterior House Painting
Your Exterior Staining Specialists
Exterior painting plays an important role in the look of the outside of your home. It is the first thing your visitors notice, before they even step through the door. Unlike interior painting, which is a project many homeowners like to take on themselves, exterior painting requires a professional touch. It’s best left to those who have the training and equipment to do the job quickly, professionally, and safely.
Our Exterior Painting program is a five-step approach that will guarantee your satisfaction and increase the longevity of your home’s exterior finish. Cardinal Painting will make sure the exterior house painting color scheme is exactly what you requested for your windows, walls and trim; and the exterior paint will also help preserve your most valuable investment, your home, for many years.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
During the initial consultation, we will discuss your objectives for your exterior painting project. Also included in this step is the documentation of important information about your home’s paint history. For example:
- The last time your home’s exterior was painted
- The colors and types of paints that were used
- The brands your prefer
Be sure to ask lots of questions about how we’ll approach your project, and take a few minutes to get familiar with our company.
This first step is where we make certain we understand your needs so that the final results are exactly what you want. We can also offer you customized proposals at reasonable prices to suit every budget.
Step 2: Choosing the Perfect Color
The second step involves choosing the perfect color for your exterior walls. Our proposal usually includes three color samples, and we will apply these samples on various parts of the house. This way you can see how the true colors actually look on your home. Our promise is to ensure you make the best possible color choice for your windows, walls, and trim – something a color card cannot do. We know that by working together, we can make Exterior House Painting a fun experience for everyone.
Step 3: Surface Preparation and Cleaning
The most important step in a professional-looking paint job is surface preparation and cleaning. And yet most painting companies spend the least amount of their time on this step. Surfaces have to be well-prepared in order for exterior paints to last! The best way to start this crucial process is to:
- Pressure wash surfaces using environmentally friendly soaps
- Treat for mildew (if present)
- Scrape to remove any loose existing paint and to give us a clear look of the state of your exterior
- Sand smooth surfaces to prepare them for proper paint adhesion
Step 4: Priming and Caulking
The priming process is done using the best quality primers. After that we move onto caulking which is a process of filling gaps, cracks and nail holes on all surfaces. Proper caulking reduces heating and cooling bills, and prepares your home for its first new coat of paint.
Step 5: Finishing Coats
Before we begin the painting on your house exterior, we cover or mask off any areas that you want safeguarded from spills and drips. This includes landscaping, decks, hardscaping, sidewalks and driveways. Once these areas are protected, we begin the actual painting. Typically, we recommend two coats of paint, and we make sure there is sufficient drying time between coats.
The application of the main color on the walls is done by either rolling and back-brushing, or spraying and back–brushing, depending upon your home’s exterior finish. Next, trim, doors and windows are painted, with careful attention given to make sure all lines are crisp and clean. Lastly, we go over all surfaces to touch up any imperfections, clean up around your home, and leave the left-over paint for future use.
At Cardinal Painting we work hard to ensure that your exterior painting venture with us becomes an exceptional one that you will want to share with family and friends.
