Summers in Halifax are known for providing the warmest temperatures and the littlest rainfall that Nova Scotia experiences all year. Because of this, summer is one of the best times to begin your exterior painting project. Fortunately, our summers are not too hot or humid in Halifax, making this the most optimal and popular time for both exterior commercial painting and exterior residential painting. At Sanford’s Painting, our painting professionals know how to best approach painting projects at this time of year. Below is some information on what you, and the local painting company you hire, should abide by.
Heat, Humidity and Your Exterior Painting Project
Heat and humidity play extremely important roles when deciding when to begin painting your home or commercial building. The ideal temperature should be between 10°and 30° Celsius, with the humidity ranging from 40% to 70%. These conditions will allow for optimal drying times. If it is too hot and humid, this can cause paint to dry too quickly, leaving behind lumps or streaks, and can make brushing and rolling very difficult. If it is too cold, paint can become very thick and won’t dry fast enough, which can lead to a variety of issues. If the sun is beating down, try to avoid painting exterior surfaces that are in direct sunlight. Your painting contractor can do this by using the “chase the shade” approach. Painting will begin on surfaces that are covered by shade, and as the day progresses, painters will follow the shade’s direction. The best times of day to paint will be early in the morning or later in the evening. These times of day are when temperatures cool down and the sun is in optimal positioning.
Removing Pollen Before You Begin Painting
Pollen is an environmental factor that is inevitable during Halifax summers. Even on dry paint, pollen can cause oxidation over time, which is why painting over pollen is never a good idea. To remove as much pollen as possible, dusting and cleaning the siding of your home should be performed. This can be done by scrubbing by hand or using a power-washer. Power-washers are very effective, especially when a building’s exterior surface is large, and hand-washing would take copious amounts of time. Painting at the temperatures as noted above will also assist against pollen, as paint will dry in an efficient and effective manner. To avoid pollen, or other dust and debris sticking to recently cleaned siding and wet paint, try to paint when there is as little wind as possible.
Other Tips For a Successful Summer Painting Project
Some other tips for painting during the summer include:
Not painting before or after it rains. Wet surfaces will cause an ununiform color appearance and longer drying times. Rain hitting wet paint can also cause uneven surfaces and potentially cause running.
Using a light-colored paint
A light-colored paint will reflect more sunlight, absorb less heat, and improve overall film durability. This means that paint will dry more evenly and not too quickly. If you have chosen a darker color paint for your exterior, try to schedule painting on a cool, overcast day.
Purchasing high-quality paints
For exterior painting projects, water-based acrylic or latex paints are recommended. These kinds of paint are very breathable and flexible, meaning they won’t crack or peel, and will move with siding if it expands or contracts. This paint is also designed to dry more quickly than oil-based paints. At Sanford’s Painting we recommend the Dulux Diamond Series!
Always checking the weather reports! Nothing is worse than wasting quality paint after wind, rain, or sun has ruined its appearance.
Because summer is such a popular time for Halifax painting, we at Sanford’s Painting can get quite busy! Contact us if you have any questions on how to get your exterior painting project started, or request a quote for your next painting project.
View our gallery of completed exterior residential and commercial painting projects.
