Too Cold to Paint Outdoors

When the temperatures are low, you will most likely find yourself spending more time indoors. This is the perfect time to dream up home improvement projects. Since the sky is gray and dismal, and it’s too cold too get the outside of your home painted. Why not bring warm and light into your home with interior painting?

The temperature range for paint is 50 degrees F / 10 degrees C to 95 degrees F / 35 degrees C, with the middle of those being ideal for paint setting. That’s why weather plays such a factor for giving the exterior of your home a facelift. When the temperature drops below 55 degrees F 12.778 degrees Celsius (C), it slows down the process of the paint curing. If this happens, paint takes longer to dry, and insects, dirt, grime and other debris may get stuck on your surface. In addition, a surface that has improperly cured has a higher risk of cracking, peeling and chipping, and a reduction of the overall life expectancy of the paint.

 

 

 

4 Reasons Winter Is The Perfect Time For Interior Painting

1. Temperature Perfection: Most people keep their home between 65 degrees F / 18.33 C and 80 degrees F / 26.66 C in the winter. The ideal temperate for paint to cure is in the 70s F / 20s C – right in the middle of where most people keep their HVAC thermometer.
2. Needing to open windows is a myth: When painting a home’s interior, many people believe windows need to be open to remove toxins and odor, and keeping windows open during a snowy winter is not feasible. The truth is that low-VOC, latex paint is less toxic and has less odor, so windows can remain shut. Outdated oil-based paint – high in VOCs – should be avoided year-round because of their toxicity.
3. Paint actually dries quicker. There is less humidity in the winter and combined with closed windows and your heating system, drying times are faster. Most people spend more time inside during the winter. This gives you a better opportunity to enjoy your newly painted house. Also, the other advantage of being inside a lot is you will find more imperfections and highlight details that need fixing so you can get the most out of your new paint.
4. Winter painting scheduling is quicker and easier to coordinate: As we mentioned, some outdoor painting will be impossible due to low temps. In addition, many homeowners falsely believe all painting needs to be completed in warmer seasons. This means that professional painters, like our Five Star Painting teams, have lower demand during this season, and a more flexible schedule for your project. A homeowner can typically schedule a job time sooner than during other seasons.