When you decide to paint the exterior of your home, you need to choose whether you will spray it, brush it, or roll it. There are advantages and disadvantages to each technique, and even if you are hiring a professional, you will want to know what they plan to do. Take a look at the differences between spraying, brushing, and rolling on paint.
Spraying
People usually use a sprayer for large areas such as the siding. They work well if you want to apply an even amount of paint in less time. If the painter is experienced in using a sprayer, the finish will be smooth, even, and consistent. It leads to more coverage in a shorter time, and it can look great. Spraying places paint on the surface, and you can control the thickness so that you get just the right amount of paint in each layer.
Brushing
Using a brush to paint the exterior of your home is the most labor-intensive way to go. However, there are several advantages to this method. First of all, you can conserve your paint. If the manufacturer estimates that you need one gallon for 400 square feet, it is likely to hold true when you paint with a brush.
Another benefit is that you can take breaks when you need to. Using a sprayer requires a continuous work session because it is a lot of work to clean it up. You don’t want to take a break and give the paint a chance to dry on the machine. However, when you are using a brush, you can take breaks without having to worry about a big process.
Brushing also doesn’t require as much prep. You don’t have to tape up the windows and doors because you can simply take care not to get paint on those sections. You can lay a drop cloth below the siding to protect the landscaping, which is also fairly uncomplicated. Finally, it is much easier to see problem areas and address them with a brush.
Roller
The third way that you can paint the exterior of your house is with a roller. Many people consider rolling to be almost as fast as spraying. The truth is that you might save time by spraying, but you will spend more time prepping the area and cleaning up. As with brushing, you can take breaks when you need them because it is pretty easy to clean the roller. Some people say that rolling produces a higher quality finish. The paint is thicker and soaks into the siding more thoroughly, whereas spraying places the paint on the siding.
Final Words
There are advantages to the three different methods for painting the exterior of your home. If you are doing it yourself, you might consider rolling and brushing because it allows you to take breaks when you need them. Professional painters often use a combination of methods. They start with spraying and they put the finishing touches on with a roller and brush. It is important to understand the differences and the advantages of using each method.