Exterior Painting Contractors Share What You Need To Know When The Temperature Drops
Exterior painting in the fall seems more bearable for painters than in the hot summer months. Not only is the weather cooler and nicer for outdoor work, but the season is nowhere near as busy for exterior painting contractors. They will have more time for clients and won’t have to sweat in the sweltering heat.
But while there’s less chance of new paint bubbling or cracking in the fall, you can’t put your painting off too long. As winter temperatures arrive, your window for painting starts to narrow rapidly. If you’ve put off painting until now and it absolutely needs to get done, though, here’s what you need to know about exterior painting in cold weather:
The Ideal Exterior Painting Temperatures
Exterior painting contractors recommend a minimum outdoor daytime temperature of at least 10˚C (50˚F) when you’re planning painting your home’s exterior. The temperature, especially at night, should not drop below 0˚C (32˚F) for a few days after painting.
Keep an eye on the forecast when you’re planning your painting job. Look for moderate temperatures overnight and dry days; if possible, try and plan for sunny weather. As challenging as it can be as winter starts to set in, painting is still possible—but try and avoid putting it off that long! Moderate temperatures give the paint a chance to truly dry and set on a surface.
If the temperature does drop below 0˚C while the paint is drying, the water in water-based paints will not evaporate fast enough and dew will form on the paint’s surface. This will prevent the paint from forming a durable film which protects it from cracking and other damage over time.
Moisture stains and mildew can also appear on fresh paint in below-freezing temperatures. These will leave your paint looking dirty, and your home will probably be in need of a new coat of paint once the weather warms up. Depending on the weather, though, painting in late November or early December is feasible in Ottawa.
That being said, if you can wait, wait! Don’t risk a poor paint job—hire exterior painting contractors to get the job done in no time in warmer weather. A good exterior paint job should last your home a while, so avoid the need to repaint sooner than later. Plan your exterior painting around the weather to avoid damage to the paint, especially from below-freezing temperatures.
If you are worried about the weather, exterior painting contractors will help you plan for the ideal painting day, while considering both the daytime and nighttime temperatures for several days after the scheduled painting service. These contractors pride themselves in their work just as you pride yourself in your home, so they also won’t want to risk painting if it’s too cold.