Is it too cold to paint?
When is it too cold to paint the exterior of my home?
At least twice a year I hear a very common set of questions being asked, the answers to which may seem obvious, but they are not as straightforward as many painters or homeowners alike might assume.
The first question which inevitably comes up… “Is it too cold to paint?”
This question is asked at the end of every fall season and, of course, at the end of every winter, just before Spring.
At the beginning of every year homeowners (and painters themselves) are starting to ask this question, “When can I paint my house?”
As we push out of the winter solstice and head towards the spring equinox all sorts of myths and “painter’s folklore” are invoked. “Do you think it’s going to be an early spring?”
As legend has it, there is a groundhog who can accurately answer this question. In 1887, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club declared that Phil, the Punxsutawney woodchuck, was America's only true weather-forecasting groundhog who would emerge out of his burrow under the ground, “reluctantly, but alertly”. If he saw his shadow, there would be six more weeks of winter. If he could not see his shadow, this meant we have an early spring coming.
…I wish it were that easy! We cannot rely on folklore and legend to make such costly decisions.
What happens if I paint my house when it’s cold outside?
The question of weather must be answered and the factors of temperature must be fully understood before the first exterior painting project of the year begins.
Over the years I have witnessed painters just show up to an exterior, pull out the sprayers, get the project done as fast as possible, and move on to the next job. This may seem profitable in the short term, but there are always numerous factors which should, and must, be taken into account. There are a whole set of questions which must be asked first. Answering these questions correctly will determine the quality, durability, longevity, and overall aesthetic of the new paint job performed on the exterior of your home.
If some factors are not accounted for before a painting project is even started, you may have an exterior that seems to look freshly painted, but time will reveal, tragically, that after having spent thousands of dollars, paint is cracking, bubbling, and even peeling off.
What is the outdoor temperature range for exterior paint?
One of those crucial factors is temperature.
Temperature has a profound effect on paint.
The pat answer may seem simple:
“You must have at least 3 consecutive days above 50 degrees before you can paint.”
However, it is not that simple.
An experienced, quality painter understands that you can’t just go outside and observe the temperature today and decide because it’s been nearly 60 degrees outside for the last 3 days, “we can paint our first exterior!”
Regardless of temps outside right now, the questions should be,
“how cold was it the last three nights?”
…and, “What was the lowest temp this past week?”
The snow may have melted, the sounds of migrating birds might be returning, green buds may be appearing on the tender branch, but these are not the decisive factors in choosing when to paint your exterior.
If at any time in the last three nights the temp dropped below 35 degrees, no one should be painting.
This is because the substrate, regardless of how warm it may be during the day, will take at least three nights above freezing before it has acclimated to warmer temperatures.
The standard premium environment for painting a residential or commercial exterior is at least three consecutive nights above 35 degrees and at least 50 degrees at time of application. It should also stay above 50 degrees while paint is drying for best results. Finally, you then want to be sure that it will not drop below freezing for several days after application.
That being said, there are some groundbreaking, game changing, quality ensuring products which have been developed that push the limits on painting temperatures.
Best Tips For Painting In Cold Weather
Sherwin-Williams has developed an exterior paint called S-W Latitude Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint. It has been proven that this product can be applied in as low as 35 degrees as long as temps will not drop below 35 degrees F over the following 48 hours after application. We have used this paint in very weather-dynamic settings and it has never failed.
“What about painting on metal surfaces?”
There are also some materials which have been problematic and very temperature sensitive, such as aluminum siding.
Aluminum and other metal siding, facia, and soffit can be more problematic than wood or other surfaces. This is because metal is a “thermal conductive” material. It holds and radiates temperature.
There are, however, some paints which can adhere to aluminum and other metal substrates even in colder temperatures.
There is a great product by Sherwin-Williams called S-W Duration Exterior Acrylic coating. Many other products will fail when being applied to metal surfaces even if the above stated “temperature rules” were followed.
Duration will not fail on surfaces such as aluminum as long as temps are above 35 degrees at night and 50 degrees at time of application.
Many companies are selling a phenomenal exterior product new to the market in the last couple of years. Sherwin-Williams Emerald Rain Refresh Exterior Paint. This paint is one of the most durable, long lasting, and exquisitely beautiful exterior paints on the market. It has a technology which, when it rains, causes accumulated dust and debris to bead up in the water and then run right down the house. It is a stellar self cleaning paint. The finished product will look brand new for years after its application and you won’t need to clean your home’s exterior with commercial pressure washing equipment. Just wait for the next rain or get out the garden hose and rinse. It’ll look like the first day it was painted.
This product, however spectacular the finished product may be, nevertheless requires strict temperature parameters to be met.
I mention this because many painters are prone to selling this product and rightfully so, it is stunning on multiple levels.
Even so, using this superior product too early or too late in the season might backfire.
Therefore, determining which product to use is crucial in the early and late exterior season.
As you can see, there are many nuances to painting exteriors in the diverse Minnesota climate. A home owner or company blessed to reside in such an extreme and varied climate such as Minnesota needs to be informed on the diverse temperature and weather subtleties of painting in Minnesota before spending thousands of dollars on a painting company.
Those of us who live in the state of weather extremes should be carefully acquainted with our unique seasonal dynamics and the options available to us before deciding to paint.
If the correct products are used and applied within the specified temperature parameters, the end result can be an absolutely beautiful finish on your exterior which will also stand up to the unique, hard elements of the Minnesota conditions.
Factors to Consider Before a Painting Company Starts Your Painting Project
Weather Forecast
Check the weather before starting your painting project. Any painting company worth their salt will be constantly checking the weather as they schedule exterior painting projects. Aim for a stretch of dry weather with moderate temps and low humidity. Avoid painting during rainy or windy days. As these conditions, too, can affect the paint’s application and drying process.
Humidity
Moisture levels can affect adhesion and drying times. If the paint takes too long to dry it will not cure properly. Avoid painting after a recent rain as the surfaces may still be wet. Ideally, a quality painting company will wait 48 hours after a rain before starting an exterior painting project. This rule of thumb may only apply during early spring or in the fall season. During the mid summer months the heat may dry the surface fully within a single day.
Timing
Plan to paint during the most moderate temperature of the day. During the early spring season, the morning may have had temperatures well above freezing, but not warm enough to apply paint. Wait for the warmest time of the day before spraying. This allows the paint to dry more quickly and evenly.
Direct sunlight
Avoid applying in direct sunlight. Painting in direct sunlight can cause the paint to flash-dry. This is when paint dries too quickly. This can cause blistering, streaking, or lap marks to appear.
To sum up all that we’ve covered, while it’s essential to carefully consider the temperature before painting your house in Minnesota during the early and late parts of the exterior painting season, there are other related factors to keep in mind as well. By planning your painting project carefully, and choosing the right time and conditions, you can achieve professional results which will protect and enhance your home’s exterior for years to come.
If you need help answering any of these or related questions, Jesse Abraham Painting and our team are here to help.
Never Paint Your Home in These 3 Weather Conditions
In summary, as an experienced painting company, we strongly advise against painting your exterior under the following weather conditions:
Rain.
High humidity.
Extreme heat.
1. Rain
This may seem obvious, but I have actually seen companies in the twin cities still painting while the spring showers began to fall.
Painting during rain or even when rain is imminent is a big no-no. Any kind of moisture will interact with paint to produce all kinds of results. Moisture can interfere with the adhesion and drying process of the paint, leading to poor results and potential damage to your home’s exterior surface.
2. Humidity
Moisture in the air can change numerous aspects of how the paint dries and ultimately cures. It can interact with sheen and overall finish. While most exterior paints are designed to be applied in a diversity of environmental conditions, high humidity can spell trouble. Excess moisture in the air can prevent the paint from drying properly, resulting in a tacky finish, extended drying times, and increased risk of mildew growth.
3. Heat
While it may seem counterintuitive, extreme heat can also cause some of the worst problems for exterior painting. Painting in scorching temperatures can cause flash drying. This is where paint dries far too quickly, leading to brush marks, spray streaks, lap lines, and a horribly uneven finish. Also, the heat can make it challenging to apply the paint smoothly and evenly, as it may setup while you are applying it, becoming to thick and difficult to work with.
By avoiding these weather conditions and choosing the right time and conditions for the exterior painting project, you can ensure a successful and long lasting finish that enhances the beauty and protection of your home for years.