Exterior Painting in Alexandria, VA

Alexandria Exterior Painting FAQ

What color should I choose for my home exterior?

Well, you have many, many options when it comes to the varying degrees of color when it comes to exterior painting, so let's concentrate on what effect or statement you want to make. You'll want to keep the fixed colors into account when choosing a color. 'Fixed colors' include the roofing, stained wood, masonry or brick work for your home. On the whole, light colors will actually make a house to appear larger, and in contrast dark colors will make a home seem smaller. Also a small house will appear to be larger if the trim is painted to match the color of the body of the house. Another point when it comes to heating, light colors will allow a home to stay cooler in warmer climates, as they absorb less heat. And the reverse is true as well, dark colors will help heat a house in cold climates, as they absorb more heat. As a result, lighter colors will actually last longer than their darker counterparts, on account of they don't see as much heat damage.

How much paint is my home going to need?

The general rule of thumb for exterior painting two to three hundred and fifty feet per gallon. Although some paints are different, and factors include the following: spraying or. rolling. You will actually get more coverage out of painting/rolling than with a spray gun. So the choice is yours if you'd rather have convenience or fiscal responsibility. The experience of the painter is another huge factor. Veteran painters can squeeze out a few more drops than the average amatur. Type of paint and condition of the surface both affect the amount of paint needed. And while the quality of paint is an issue, here are some guidelines: muddy colors cover better than cleaner colors, dark colors covers better than light ones, reds and yellows get stretched thin quicker, and a professionally factory-mixed custom paint can cover much better than a store bought brand.

Is there anything I can do to prepare for my exterior painting?

We'll take a look at homes built before 1978, as an unfortunate side effect of houses built before then could contain lead or asbestos. But otherwise it helps to either cover or tie back the bushes and shrubs that touch the sides of your home, unless you wanted them to have a nice glaze of your chosen color afterward. And we'll take care of the dropcloth situation by putting a tarp down before we get to work.