Getting Started

Choose your paint color. The color paint of the house should work with the elements that can’t be changed, like the color of the roof shingles and the style of your home.
Complete exterior repair and preparation. See Prepare Your House for Exterior Painting below.
Check the weather forecast before starting the job. Rain or high wind can cut a day of painting short and ruin what’s already been applied. Exterior latex is fast drying, but it still needs time to dry before it gets hit by rain. Oil-based paint definitely needs curing time; check the manufacturer’s recommendations. Paint when temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and below 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Heavy rain or high humidity on a newly painted, uncured surface can cause blistering.
Set the ladder up on flat ground. Exercise caution when using a ladder. For more about ladder safety, see our Ladder and Scaffolding Buying Guide.
Avoid painting in direct sun. Paint the west-facing side in the morning and the east in the afternoon.

Good to Know

In order to determine how much paint you’ll need for your home, use our Paint Calculator.

Caution

Paint on homes built before 1978 may contain lead. Check with your local health department or the Environmental Protection Agency if you have questions or concerns.

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Prepare Your House for Exterior Painting

A clean surface is essential for a good paint job. A pressure washer with the proper detergent is the most efficient way to thoroughly clean exterior siding. Use caution when selecting the nozzle; a concentrated stream can damage wood, seep underneath lapped siding and break windows. On surfaces that aren’t suffering from excessive peeling or flaking, a regular garden hose and scrub brush will work. Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is a good, safe cleaning agent. To remove and prevent mildew, use a detergent with mildewcide or a mixture of 1 quart of household bleach in 3 quarts of water. Follow package instructions for any cleaning product you use. Rinse the surface when cleaning is completed. For more guidance, watch How to Pressure-Wash a House.

Caution

Use eye protection and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when pressure-washing. Be sure to choose the proper nozzle.

Paint Primer

A primer will help paint adhere to the surface, providing a more uniform appearance. Use a primer when painting over new wood or bare wood or when repainting over existing bright or dark colors. See our Primer Buying Guide for more tips.

Paint Application

Paint the siding first. Start at the top, painting horizontally as you work your way down. Use a scaffold if possible or move the ladder regularly. Overreaching on a ladder is dangerous. Plus, the paint application will be uneven if you can’t see the lap marks well.
Paint the windows and trim next. Don’t close the windows completely after painting to prevent sticking. Leave a very small strip of paint around the edges of the windowpanes to seal out the weather.
Paint the foundation last.

Good to Know

A paint spraye r can deliver a quality finish in half the time a brush or roller can. To select the best sprayer for your job, check out our Paint Sprayer Buying Guide. For best results, read our article How to Use a Paint Sprayer.

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Potential Issues

There are a few things to be aware of when painting the exterior of your home.

Sunlight and UV Radiation: Sunlight and moisture can cause chalking and tint loss. However, latex paint tends to resist the effects of direct sunlight better than oil-based or alkyd paints.

Water and Moisture: Wood expands and contracts due to changing moisture levels. This stress can cause paint to crack and flake. Permeable or breathable latex paint allows water to vaporize and escape before damage can occur. Moisture can also cause blistering, which leads to mildew growth. Paint additives keep mildew from forming but won’t kill existing mildew.

Change in Temperature: Paint with superior adhesion and flexibility helps prevent cracking and flaking caused by the expanding and/or contracting of the substrate (wood, plywood or hardboard). Top-quality acrylic latex paint is an excellent choice for areas with freeze/thaw cycles.

Siding

Aluminum siding and vinyl siding present special challenges when painted. Aluminum siding frequently suffers from excessive chalking and may contain dents and imperfections. Pressure-wash or hand-scrub to remove chalk and rinse afterward. Satin or low-luster paint is the best choice for aluminum siding because it hides dents and makes the imperfections less noticeable. A spray application gives the best appearance. Vinyl siding has the same problems with one additional limitation: It has a tendency to buckle or warp irreversibly from hot, direct sunlight. Darker colors will absorb more heat, so select a paint color no darker than the original color of the original vinyl.

Paint Storage and Disposal

Clean paint from the rim of the can. Seal container lids tight by tapping with a hammer and a block of wood.
Store solvent-based paint cans upside down to prevent a skin from forming.
Avoid extreme heat or cold.
Disposal methods vary by community. Check your local environmental, health and safety laws.
Always follow label instructions for additional storage information.

How to Paint Your Home’s Exterior