If you want to paint your house, there are multiple questions you may have when it comes to how to start the process. Although undertaking an exterior house paint may seem like a daunting task without the help of professionals, it is also a highly rewarding experience. This blog aims to give you a handy guide on exterior painting, from what colours to use, what brand of paint to use, and everything in between. The most important first step is to gather all tools and materials necessary to complete the job and to consider a few key considerations as discussed below.

List of Tools and Materials

• Exterior-latex paint
• Primer
• Wood filler 
• Paint sprayer
• Paint roller set 
• Paintbrushes
• Tape measure 
• Metal paint sprayer 
• Drop cloths - to protect floors against paint splashes!
• Painter’s masking tape
• Ladder 

Although the list of materials may seem extensive and perhaps intimidating, do not worry - we will provide you with plenty of tips for both reducing and estimating costs later in the blog

Considerations before you paint

• Colours
• When to paint the house 
• Tools and materials 
• Brush or Spray?

Before you undertake the task of painting your house, there are many decisions to be made. The key considerations you must keep in mind before you paint will be addressed throughout this blog to help simplify the process. 

Brush or Spray?

With commercial paint sprayers becoming more available than ever before, the question arises of whether you should spray or hand paint your house’s exterior. Hand painting is a time-consuming activity which may be easier when confined to smaller areas. However, if weather conditions permit, there is nothing wrong with deciding to hand paint. Here is a brief comparison of the two methods of painting for your convenience. 

Brush	Spray
Quick to start	Extensive prep work required
Easier to pay close attention to details	Faster once the painting begins
Conserves paint	More paint is wasted

Overall, painting via hand brush requires significantly less prep time, allowing you to get started on the paintwork faster. Spraying also requires a wide area of dropcloth space whereas brushing needs only a drop cloth directly under the painting area. Brushing makes it easier to pay close attention to detail and identify areas that may need further work - which is more difficult when spraying. Brushing also allows for paint conservation as it uses less paint than a sprayer. 

Meanwhile, spraying is less physically demanding and allows for faster area coverage. High or out of the way areas are more easily reached than if hand brushing. 

Colours

Choosing a colour is arguably the most exciting part of the process as it gives you a chance to get creative. It is important to consider your future goals when you are making this decision - are you painting the house for yourself, or perhaps a potential buyer? Neutral colours such as beiges, whites and browns, and colours that fit in with the scheme of the neighbourhood are safe choices when it comes to attracting buyers. If you are choosing a colour based on your family’s preferences, you may have more freedom.

To test colours, it is a good idea to buy paint samples and apply this paint on different sides of the house, to see how the colour looks in different lights. 

Recommended Brands 

There are hundreds of brands of paint available on the market but we have gathered a couple of the most trustworthy, best quality names for your convenience. Below is a brief overview of our recommended paints, please see our full range of exterior paints here. Both brands have a wide range of quality paint with many different options regarding colour, sheen and gloss.

Taubmans

Taubmans All Weather is, as the name suggests, a durable paint designed for all kinds of weather conditions whether it be rain or shine

This paint is ideal for all exterior walls, cement render, roofs, timber, PVC piping and steel. 

Dulux 

Dulux Weathershield is designed for use on exterior walls and surfaces

 A particular benefit of this paint is that it is long-lasting and durable, and can be applied easily by spray, brush or roller. 

Wattyl

Wattyl is known for their premium quality paint, particularly in durability and ease of application

Their Professional Choice Sunfast Gloss is particularly suited to exterior surfaces such as timber, brick, masonry and fibre cement. 

Tint 

Tint’s range of paints come in a wide variety of colours and are UV resistant, mould fighting and extra durable, making them ideal for use on exterior surfaces

Costs

Estimating exterior painting costs is a key part of the process, particularly if you are under the constraints of a budget. Luckily, it is straightforward to estimate such costs. The vast majority of costs will be dedicated to paint and primer,  which can easily be determined with a paint calculator.

For further information on the specifics of painting your house, we have an array of helpful blogs to get you started. Here you can find our guides to paint application and wood finishing. 

Conserving paint when spraying 

Conserving paint is an effective way to minimize costs. There are multiple ways this can be achieved, allowing you to conserve money and time. 

• Avoid the wind 

Extreme wind can increase your paint consumption by up to 50%. It is best to wait until weather conditions are calmer before attempting to spray.

• Stand closer to the surface 

Standing closer to the surface means that less paint is lost when spraying. However, spraying closer may also increase the risk of drips so ensure you are properly protected with a paint sock, coveralls, respirator and secure goggles.

13 Steps to DIY House Paint

Step 1: Clean the house’s exterior thoroughly 

To ensure that paint and primer are evenly distributed, any dirt, mould or mildew must be removed.

Materials required:

• Power washer or hose 
• Scrub brush

Step 2: Remove paint that is flaky or chipped

If there are any areas in your house where the paint is chipped, lifted or peeling, you will have to scrape these areas loose with a wide paint scraper, until you are left with a smooth surface.

Materials required:

• Paint scraper 
• Wire brush

Step 3: Repair any damage

Underlying issues such as rotting wood or warped trim should be addressed before you apply a fresh coat of paint to your home. Wood putty is always a good option for removing small blemishes.

Materials required:

• Wood putty 
• Assorted wood putty knives 
• Sandpaper 
• Orbital sander 

Step 4: Check and repair seals

To ensure that moisture doesn’t get into your home’s exterior, you should ensure all doors and windows are properly sealed.

Materials required 

• All-weather exterior sealant
• Caulking gun

Step 5: Select paint colour and sheen

Colour options are seemingly endless, however, there are a few things to consider which may help you decide. The decision of whether you want your home to blend with other houses in the neighbourhood or go for something more unique may be a good place to start.

Materials required 

• Paint swatches
• Paint samples 

Step 6: Purchase primer and paints

Earlier in the blog, we mentioned a few specific brands of paint which we recommend for exterior house painting, Dulux and Taubman. However, there are also other considerations to take into account, such as how much paint you will be requiring. Use the handy paint calculator above to assist you in your preparations. 

Materials required

• Primer
• Exterior paint

Step 7: Gather paint supplies

As listed at the beginning of this blog, there is a myriad of supplies you’ll need to gather before you begin painting. However, the good news is that a good proportion of the supplies are also available to rent. Go through and ensure you have all the necessary supplies for the task. 

Materials required:

• Brushes
• Paint rollers and frames
• Paint sprayer 
• Drop cloths 
• Step ladder
• Bucket
• Painter’s tape
• Paint trays 

Step 8: Protect surrounding areas with drop cloths

Painting is an inherently messy task and consequently, it’s important to protect the areas of your home directly surrounding where you’ll be painting. 

Materials required: 

• Drop cloths
• Plastic sheeting 
• Twine

Step 9: Apply primer

This step can be skipped if you have chosen a paint and primer combination. Additionally, this step should be carefully planned so that you are painting in clear weather as the paint and primer need a completely dry surface to adhere properly.

Materials required:

• Exterior primer
• Paint bucket
• Paint sprayer
• Brush 
• Roller 

Step 10: Apply the first coat of paint

When applying your first coat of paint it is best to begin at the highest point of your house (a step ladder comes in handy here!) and paint using straight, even strokes. You should ensure you are following the layout of your siding. Vertical strokes should be applied on vertical siding and horizontal strokes on the horizontal siding. If spraying, it is advisable to dilute the paint with water to ensure a smooth, even coat.

Materials required:

• Exterior house paint
• Sprayer
• Paintbrushes
• Rollers 

Step 11: Apply the second coat of paint

Before applying the second coat of paint, the first coat must have dried completely. This process may take approximately two hours. You should also use new brushes for this step to ensure a smooth finish. 

Materials required: 

• New rollers
• Cleaned paint sprayer
• Brushes 

Step 12: Tape and paint trim

With the exterior all done, the final step is to paint door frames, pillars, windows and window wells with a mould and mildew resistant exterior trim paint. 

Materials required:

• Painter’s tape
• Trim paint 
• Brushes 

Step 13: Clean up

Now that your exterior is looking great, it’s time to clean up. Remove painter’s tape, scrape any paint off windows and clean tools and brushes. Ensure all paint cans are sealed to avoid spillages and store them safely by avoiding extreme high or low temperatures.

Materials required:

• Trash bags
• Utility knife 
• Paint clean up knives 

Maintaining an Exterior House Paint

To keep the exterior of your home looking fresh, some additional maintenance work may be required. Giving the exterior a yearly powerwash as well as avoiding overflow of water from clogged drains can protect your home from damage and ensure that it is always looking its best.