When you hire a residential painting contractor to update the look of your Westchester County home, you want that new paint job to last as long as possible. Modern exterior paints are designed to hold up well against the elements, but nothing lasts forever, and exterior paint takes a lot of abuse. However, there are things you can do to help keep it looking great!
We’ve been proudly providing interior and exterior painting services around Westchester County for years, and we love helping to educate our customers as well. Here are our tips for keeping your paint looking great.
I. Before Painting
1 – Don’t go cheap
We know that a full exterior paint job can be expensive, but don’t cut corners. It’s worth paying a bit more for experienced painting contractors who’ll use top-quality primers and paints. Paying for better materials upfront can add years to your home’s paint job.
2 – Always ask for two coats
Many paints are designed to only need one coat but, again, it’s a “you get what you pay for” situation. A second coat of paint won’t add too much to the bill but will extend the paint’s life significantly.
3 – Dark vs light colors
Dark house paint colors tend to fade more quickly than light colors and may need to be touched up sooner. On the other hand, light colors show dirt and grime and will need to be cleaned more often. Pick whichever option fits your lifestyle better.
II. After Painting
1 – Keep your trees and bushes trimmed
The biggest threat to your home’s paint often isn’t the weather – it’s greenery. Trees and bushes scraping against the paint will quickly wear it down and create opportunities for water to get inside the paint. Stay on top of your trimming for the sake of your paint.
2 – Regularly clean your gutters
If your gutters are full and clogged, that’s going to cause dirty water to cascade down the sides of the house. That’s bad for your paint, and bad for your walls as well since it encourages water intrusion. Keep your gutters clean so they’re always flowing properly.
3 – Keep your house clean
Often, we get called out to repaint a home, only to discover that its main problem is simply that it’s dirty. If it’s been more than a year since you’ve had a professional home cleaning job, you might be amazed at the difference it makes. Power washing is particularly effective, as long as it’s safe for your home and paint.
C.E.T. Painting is Your Westchester County Painting Partner
For over 15 years, we’ve been providing top-quality interior and exterior painting services across Westchester! We also provide plenty of related support services, such as gutter cleaning, deck staining, and power washing. We’re here to make your Westchester home look amazing, with top-quality work at reasonable prices.
If it’s time for your home to get a makeover, contact C.E.T. Painting to make it happen!