Fall is a great time to tackle those outdoor painting projects. The weather is cooler, humidity is lower, and the fluctuation in temperatures from day to night are more tolerable. But when is it too cold? Improvements in technology brought low temperature formula paints which allow you to push the limit to 35 degrees however, it is still recommended in our area that you stop around November. That means you have at least 6 weeks to tackle that outdoor painting project! Get on it!

The first thing we suggest doing is to take a look at your surroundings. Do you want to blend in with your surroundings or stand out? If your house has a lot of trees and greenery you may not want to paint your exterior green if you want to stand out. We love the neutral beige color against the greens here:

But if you prefer to blend in:

Really want to stand out? This lilac color looks great here on this gingerbread style home in San Francisco. It may not translate so well in a suburban neighborhood.

Love this shade of blue perfectly accented with the off white and soft brown. Notice how it contrasts beautifully off of the pine green and dark brown shades in the trees surrounding it.

Don’t like your brick color? Paint it!

Does your home receive a lot of sun exposure? If your exterior is beat by the sun you are going to get fading. Be sure to check the undertones in the paint color so you are not surprised when your beige starts to look purple.

Want to add a wow factor? Use an accent color on your door. It also gives people a target to find  your doorbell and it’s a great way to freshen the look of your home.

If you haven’t been by the store recently to see our transformation, here’s our before and after. (Colors are Sherwin Williams; bldg: Intellectual Gray 7045, trim: Pearly White 7009)

Don’t throw your old paint in the trash or wash it down the sink (not good for pipes unless you like them clogged). Lowes.com gives the following tips to dispose of latex paint without taking it to recycling centers:

1. Add equal parts cat litter to latex paint in the can. If you have more than a half a can, you can also pour the paint into a lined box or trash can. Then pour in cat litter.
2. Stir the cat litter into the paint until it thickens and will not spill. Allow the mixture to sit for one hour.
3. Throw the dried paint in the can in the garbage. Make sure to remove the lid.

Painting the exterior of your home is a significant investment. Be sure to do your research! Find a reputable painter and take your time when choosing colors. Sherwin Williams has some online tools that you may find helpful:

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/inspiration/gallery/exterior-homes

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/exterior-color-schemes

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/inspiration/project-center/front-door-facelift

Need help? Just ask! We can consult with you to help you pick your colors and painting contractors. We’d love to hear from you!

Let’s create great design.