Summer is right around the corner, and you know what that means – it’s time for more outdoor painting projects. True, painting outdoors during summer has its fair share of perils (you don’t want to get dehydrated), but on the whole, it’s far easier to paint outdoors during the summer than in wetter, rainier seasons when the fresh paint can get washed right off.
On the contrary, dry summer heat can help paint dry more quickly, making it the perfect time to take on big painting projects.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best outdoor painting projects.
- Painting Patio Squares
Maybe you’re looking to introduce some color into your backyard, or maybe you just want to turn your patio into a tribute to a disco floor. Either way, painting patio squares is one of the most intriguing outdoor painting ideas. A lot of other painting ideas focus on painting structures, so this can be a great way to add some color and texture to an area of your home which can often be overlooked.
When painting your patio tiles, you need to make sure that the paint not only sticks, but does not get worn out from people treading on it. For this, you’ll want to make sure that you use latex paint, which does not wear out as easily when trod upon, compared to other types of paint.
In addition, you’ll want to add a top coat of sealant to protect the paint from rain and moisture.
- House Trim
This is an obvious choice, but it doesn’t make it any less compelling. Adding trim to the side of your home can be a great way to not only add a burst of color, but to also make your primary house color pop using the principle of contrast. Traditionally, your trim should be the “opposite” of your primary color in this regard (e.g., bright trim setting off dark colors, and dark trim contrasting with bright primary colors).
Semigloss paint trim is ideal for this purpose. It adds a nice glossy sheen to your property’s trim while also being more water and weather resistant than other paint varieties.
- Painting Shutters
This is a great way of adding a splash of color to the exterior as well as the interior of your structure. This is an especially good project to take on in summer because when painting shutters, there’s always the risk of them sticking together. By doing the painting during the summer, you can mitigate this risk by painting quickly and allowing the paint to dry.
It can be a bit of a race against the clock, but as long as it doesn’t strike high noon on your painting efforts, it can be a great summertime success.
- Steps and Railings
If you have a deck, adding steps and railings can make it more accessible – and painting them can be a great way to add a dash of class and personality. Semigloss paint can add a smooth sheen here, while using different colors of paint can be a great way to add texture and personality. This is also another great way to complement the trim of the house.
With these outdoor painting projects, you can spruce up your home just in time for summer.