How to Pick a Paint Color for the Exterior of Your Home

How to Pick a Paint Color for the Exterior of Your Home

Choosing paint colors for the exterior of your home is more challenging than for the interior because you need to take more factors into consideration, like neighborhood, lot size, landscaping, etc. 

The colors you choose to paint your home can affect the entire neighborhood. While you want to stand out and look different than your neighbors, you don’t want your home to be the eyesore on your street. You should complement their color palettes on your neighbors’ homes, but you don’t have to match their style exactly. Be unique, but be tasteful and considerate. 

How To Choose the Right Paint Brush

Brushes to use on Doors

When painting a door, be sure to use a soft paint brush. Most doors take between 2 - 4 coats of paint, depending on the color. Using a soft brush puts on a thicker coat of paint. This will allow you to paint the door with less coats, getting your door project done quicker.

 

Brushes to use on Walls and Trim

When painting walls and trim, use a firm brush. Firm brushes tend to hold more paint, even though they generally paint thinner coats. Because these thicker brushes hold more paint, you won't have to dip them as often. Walls and Trim generally will get two coats of paint, and using these thicker brushes will help you get the job done quicker. 

Preparing Paint Roller Covers for Painting

Many people paint their homes but may not know all of the tricks of the trade. A quick tip for anybody preparing to use a pain roller to paint a room, be sure to do the following before beginning your paint for the best experience:

  1. Before using a new paint roller, be sure to completely wrap painters tape around the roller. After you have wrapped the roller with tape, remove the tape. This will help remove any loose lint from the roller and help ensure no fibers or strands are left sticking out of your freshly painted wall.
  2. Once the roller has had it's tape removed, use a simple spray bottle and spray the roller with water. You want enough for the roller to absorb it, but do roller should no be dripping wet at any point. Simply getting some water into the roller will help the roller absorb and release paint better. This will help you from having to dip your roller as often and will allow the paint to come out more smoothly.

Watch as Bob Greenley demonstrates how to prepare a roller for painting.