A completed paint job can drastically change the appearance of your home. Whether your project is motivated out of necessity or by choice, a coat of paint will bring a breath of fresh air to your living space. Here in the Greater Toronto Area, the time of year that you choose to undertake your paint job matters a great deal.
The reality of Canadian winters is that they are more than just a few months long. You may find yourself needing to complete your project during these colder months. To make your paint job just a tad easier, we’ve listed a few of our best practices for painting your house in the winter.
Painting Your Home’s Interior
Not only is it possible to paint the inside of your home during the winter -- it also offers several advantages. Often the best and most reputable painters are less busy during winter, meaning that you can get your job done faster and likely for a better rate. Paint also dries more quickly in the low temperatures of winter and with less humidity in the air. In order to do a proper job of painting your home’s interior, the rooms and surfaces should be 10⁰C or warmer.
What is the best indoor house paint to use? You should certainly look for one that has low to zero VOCs, which will nearly eliminate all issues arising from toxic paint fumes. This is especially important when painting during the winter, as you are not able to leave doors and windows open. You’ll also want to ensure you select a paint specific for interior walls, which will maintain a stronger bond with the surface. Nylon and polyester brushes tend to be best for winter painting. It is also advisable to start painting in the late morning, as it will give your paint enough time to dry before the cooler evening temperatures set in.
Painting Your Home’s Exterior
If you do choose to paint in cooler temperatures, you must be aware of a variety of factors. Make sure to book or conduct your painting project when you have enough time available for each coat of paint to fully dry. This is affected by various environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and sunlight. There are some days when it is just too cold to paint -- usually when the temperature is below 10⁰C.
When choosing what is the best outdoor house paint, you’ll need to make sure that the can itself states that the paint can be used in cooler temperatures. You can determine what paint to use on the outside of your home by reading the can and researching the paint manufacturer’s website. Acrylic latex paints are usually good choices, as most of these types of paint can be applied to a home’s exterior in temperatures as low as 10⁰C. It is also a good idea to apply the individual coats of paint in similar temperatures to ensure the paint cures properly and consistently.
While it is possible to paint your home in the cooler seasons in Toronto, the project may be best left to professionals. There are minimum temperatures to be aware of and specific paints and tools that need to be selected. Utilizing these materials and equipment properly will ensure a long-lasting and high-quality paint job.
The other reality is that it is just not easy work -- especially exterior painting. Ensuring your project is done effectively the first time around can help you save on maintenance and touch up expenses down the road.
Contact York Painting Group
If you have questions about a winter painting project or are looking to have professionals complete it for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to York Painting Group! Contact us today to discuss your project further or to receive an estimate.
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