One of the best ways to enhance curb appeal and the value of your home is to have its exterior painted. At Final Touch Painting & Decorating, we’re on a mission to ensure that every paint job comes out looking great. One of the biggest disruptors of excellent exterior paint jobs that many homeowners aren’t aware of is the temperature. Depending on the specific paint applied in Elmhurst IL, it needs to be an appropriate temperature for the entire drying and curing process.

What is the Ideal Application Temperature?

If you take time to search Google for “painters near me” and ask each one what the ideal application temperature is for exterior painting, they’ll all likely tell you that it depends. In general, most expert painters recommend that it be between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit when the paint is applied outside. Latex exterior home painting services should be done in temperatures of 50 to 85 degrees.

One factor that is commonly overlooked by homeowners is the temperature on the exterior of your home. It’s important to realize that the exterior of your home can be up to 20 degrees warmer than the ambient outdoor air temperature. This happens most often in homes that receive direct sunlight. This is vital to consider so that you can ensure the temperature isn’t too hot during application.

Some great methods for dealing with these weather and sun-related temperatures are to paint shaded sides of the home first and move as the sun changes direction throughout the day. It’s typically best to start by painting the east side of your home in the late morning and saving the north side for any time of the day. In general, exterior painting shouldn’t be done if the outside temperature is above 85 degrees, as this could push the exterior temperature of your home up to 105 degrees.

Understanding Drying vs. Curing Time

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to get caught up worrying about how wind and rain are going to affect an exterior paint job. In reality, the temperature should be your biggest concern. In order for a paint job to look great, it needs adequate drying and curing time. Contrary to what you may think, drying and curing aren’t the same things.

Drying is simply the amount of time it takes for solvents to evaporate from the paint coating. When the paint is dry, it will feel dry to the touch. Curing takes longer than drying. This is when the paint coating actually reaches 100% dryness throughout and its maximum hardness level. This typically takes about two weeks. After your paint cures, it can be washed without getting messed up.

Unfortunately, when weather temperatures get too high, it can cause paint to develop cracks, blisters, bumps, and discoloration. The heat essentially forces the paint to dry too quickly and not allow the full curing process to take place. This is when you’re going to have the most problems with your exterior paint job.

A Note on Humidity

When the weather gets hot, the humidity level tends to rise. This excess water can increase the amount of water that is sucked up by the paint. This, in turn, changes the overall water and solvent ratio in the paint that is applied. With this much thinner paint mixture, there will need to be a longer drying time. Additionally, exposed wood can suck up moisture and end up causing the paint to peel or bubble. This can wreak havoc on the overall look of your home’s exterior.

Planning Ahead is Crucial

At this point, you should have a pretty good understanding of how the temperature outside can affect the overall outcome of your exterior paint job. One of the best ways to help ensure that your paint looks great when it’s completely cured is to plan ahead.

When you contact Final Touch Painting & Decorating, our experts understand the average temperature in the Elmhurst IL region. We actively track the weather conditions to ensure that any exterior paint job that we do isn’t influenced negatively by the weather or the temperature. We do recommend to our clients to plan on springtime as the ideal time of year to paint their home before the temperature gets too hot.

Request Your Free Exterior House Painting Quote Today! If you’re interested in enhancing the curb appeal of your home, contact Final Touch Painting & Decorating today. Let our painting specialists assist you in determining the best colors for your home and provide you with a free estimate.