When it comes to making our homes and businesses look beautiful, there’s a lot of moving pieces. Of course, exterior design is something that takes a lot of time to consider in particular. There are a lot of parts to it, which means we have a lot to think about in turn.
Something that we don’t often specifically think about, but that remains important anyway, is exterior painting. You might be surprised by how much of an impact it can really make. When someone sees the outside of your home or business, that’s their first impression.
You can learn more about that on this page, if you’re curious about why that’s such a big deal. For businesses, you probably already know some about why that first impression is key. Homeowners might not fully understand it until they’re looking to sell their property.
No matter what the circumstances, though, it’s never a bad time to try to refresh the outside of your property. Today, we’ll be exploring some of the options available, as well as why it might be useful.
If you want to learn more about how this works, make sure to stay tuned. We’ll be focusing on the Vancouver area, but there are exterior painters pretty much everywhere. Just know that there are plenty of available contractors in this area!
What is Exterior Painting?
Simply put, exterior painting refers to the process of applying paint or protective coatings to the outside surfaces of a building or structure. It’s nothing too complicated, really. What might it include, though?
Key aspects are walls, siding, trim, doors, windows, and other exterior features. If it’s on the outside of your home or business, it’s something that could be included. Let’s take a closer look at that.
Types of Surfaces Painted
Wondering what you might end up getting painted? Well, you can Go here to get a closer look, if you’re curious. There are a lot of different options. It doesn’t hurt to double check with your contractor before you make a firm decision about it, too.
Walls and siding are one of the main features that can be painted. This can include wood, vinyl, brick, stucco, or fiber cement panels. A lot of folks don’t realize that all of those materials can actually be painted on – we assume we have to replace the whole thing. This can save some money and time.
Trim and molding is also an option. That could be decorative or functional elements. Examples are window frames, door frames, eaves, and soffits. Even these smaller details can make a big difference.
You could also get your doors or windows painted. With both, that does include the frame again of course. However, changing a door color can be a nice touch for a business or a home if you’re looking to refresh the look!
Finally, we can’t forget fences and decks. These are some of the largest features that might be a part of exterior painting, both here and Vancouver and everywhere.
Fences are typically a part of residential properties, but some businesses have them as well. Decks are a great addition to any property. They can add more livable space and provide places for customers to sit back and relax in businesses! You can read about that on this.
Types of Coating Used
Another factor at play is the type of coating being used for each exterior. To some extent, this will depend on what your contractor has available. However, they’re usually happy to be flexible and provide you with what you’re looking for as long as you ask.
Latex based paints are one option. They’re fairly popular. That’s because they are easy to use, dry quickly, and are flexible for whatever surface is being coated.
Oil based paints are a bit less popular, but still useful. They are quite durable, which is one of the main reasons to use them. They also provide a smooth finish. They’re usually used on trims.
Primers and undercoats are important no matter what area is being painted, and whether latex or oil-based ones are being used. They’re applied before the main coats. The goal is to improve adhesion and coverage.
Finally, there are specialty coatings. These are usually sealers, stains, or weatherproof paints. They’re designed specifically for exterior painting. This article: https://publisher.unimas.my/ojs/index.php/JCEST/article/view/306 shares some information about this.
The Purpose of Exterior Painting
As you’ve probably figured out, there are a few reasons someone might want the exterior of their property painted. Let’s look at some of them in specific.
Protection is likely the biggest one. These coats can shield surfaces from moisture, UV rays, insects, and temperature fluctuations. All of that is a big deal no matter where you are, of course. Temperature fluctuations are definitely something to think about here in Vancouver.
Aesthetic appeal is another obvious one. Leaving plain wood, brick, or even stucco can look unpolished and unprofessional. For businesses, that can really leave a bad first impression for potential customers.
Residential properties usually look nicer with painted exteriors as well, of course. You’ll have better curb appeal, which can help raise the value of all homes in a neighborhood.
Finding a Contractor
There are plenty of options around Vancouver in terms of contractors. If you aren’t sure where to start, the resources we’ve offered might be helpful. Overall, it doesn’t hurt to start your search online.
Don’t forget that you can ask family and friends for their recommendations. If anyone you know needed to have their deck or fence painted, and that’s what you’re looking for, they might be able to help you out! Either way, it’s important to read some reviews.
Do your best to find a proper professional team that can get the job done quickly and efficiently. Usually, they’ll post some of their certifications and credentials on their website. Look over it carefully and see if you think they might be the right fit.
Overall, it’s not hard to see why so many folks decide to have their exteriors painted. Bringing in professionals can make the process simple and painless!