Arizona homeowners spend their summer trying to escape the heat.
Then fall rolls around.
It is time to take advantage of lower temperatures and think about long-overdue home improvement projects.
That is why fall can be a great time to plan for house painting in Arizona.
Many existing homes have endured the effects of an Arizona summer. That may result in worn paint, faded colors, chalking surfaces, cracked caulk, and more.
But there is another factor here.
With the holidays on the way, homeowners often think about sprucing up interior spaces.
Here are some of the benefits of choosing fall for painting an existing home.
Cooler Temperature Makes Many Exterior Jobs Easier
Arizona can be incredibly hot during the summer months.
This does not mean painting cannot be done. But sometimes the summer heat makes it difficult.
Temperature is not the only consideration.
The exterior of your home can become even hotter as a result of direct sun exposure.
That makes cooler fall days ideal.
They allow more time to schedule projects based on temperature guidelines from paint manufacturers.
Weather must still be considered by professional painters. But cooler temperatures open more possibilities for exterior repainting.
Fall is a Good Time to Assess the Damage of Summer
Arizona summers can really take a toll on exterior surfaces.
The combination of high temperatures, direct sun exposure, wind, dust, and occasional storms can show signs of wear on paint and caulk.
You might find:
- Peeling paint
- Color fading
- Chalking
- Cracks in caulk
- Worn fascia
- Exposed bare wood
- Cracks in stucco
- Broken and worn trim
- Inconsistent color
- Previous repairs showing through
Assessing your home’s exterior condition in the fall allows you to address worn areas.
That way, you do not have to deal with more obvious problems later.
Color Fading Becomes More Obvious as a Result of Summer Exposure
Exterior paint does not always peel.
Sometimes it fades.
Arizona sun can be particularly harsh on walls that receive the most sun exposure in the afternoons.
The result is that the exposed portions of walls and fascia become very different from those that stay shaded throughout the day.
Cleaning is not enough to bring back the color.
Repainting can help you restore more consistent color.
Fall is the Perfect Time to Address Failing Caulk
Paint is not the only part of the exterior of an Arizona home that needs attention.
Caulk around windows, doors, and trim can begin to separate and crack due to Arizona heat.
In the fall, you can check for these conditions.
Before any exterior painting, it will be necessary to repair failing caulk in order to have a better result.
It is Easy to Check the Condition of Stucco Before Repainting
Most Arizona homes are stucco.
That material can develop minor cracks over time or become visibly inconsistent because of previous repairs.
Simply painting over these issues is not enough.
That is why, before repainting, it will be important to check the condition of the surface.
Fall is a great time to look for stucco cracks and previous repairs that can detract from the final results.
Fall is a Perfect Time to Prep Your Home for the Holidays
Aside from the condition of the exterior, there is another factor.
The holiday season is fast approaching.
Family and friends will visit your home.
You may discover areas that are beginning to show signs of wear.
You may need to repaint the following areas before entertaining:
- Entryways
- Living rooms
- Kitchens
- Hallways
- Guest bedrooms
- Bathrooms
You will not have to repaint the whole house.
Concentrate only on those rooms that guests will see and use.
Begin with the Most High-Traffic Interior Areas
High-traffic interior areas usually show signs of wear much faster than others.
Scuffs can appear on hallways.
Fingerprints can build up in entryways.
Living room walls can become faded and develop nail holes.
Kitchen walls can be stained with splashes.
Doors and trim can become scratched over the years.
All these conditions can be resolved with proper repainting.
And you do not have to paint the entire home in order to have it feel refreshed.
Fresh Paint Makes Existing Homes Feel Like Brand-New
One of the main reasons why painting remains a popular home improvement project is the fact that it transforms spaces without changing the structure of a home.
Fresh paint can help enhance curb appeal.
Interior walls will become brightened and the old paint color will become obsolete.
Newly painted trim can help to improve the overall look of the walls and floors.
Changing the color of a front door can make the whole entry feel completed.
You are not building a new home.
You are refreshing the existing one.
And that is what residential repainting can do for you.
Fall Provides Opportunities to Plan Rather Than Rushing
Waiting until paint starts peeling creates unnecessary trouble.
Waiting until the last days before a holiday event creates more troubles.
That is why planning a house painting project in advance is beneficial.
You can decide:
- What rooms to paint
- Whether the trim should be painted
- What exterior areas require repairs
- Which colors to use
- Whether you will need additional surface preparation
- Whether you want a repaint of your entire home or particular areas
A little bit of planning can go a long way.
Fall offers homeowners a great time to assess their home needs.
Good Weather for Painting Does Not Equal Any Weather
Despite the generally favorable weather in the fall, Arizona is unpredictable.
That is why professional painters do not only rely on the time of the year, but pay close attention to conditions.
Temperature, direct sunlight, humidity, surface temperature, wind and requirements from the paint manufacturer can affect the conditions in which the painting will take place.
Surface Preparation is Crucial in Any Weather
No amount of good weather can save the day if the surface was not prepared properly.
Every existing home has a history.
Walls can have previous repairs. Stucco can be cracked. Trim can be peeled. Exterior surfaces can be chalking or dirty. Interior walls can have dents, nail holes, stains, and rough spots.
These issues should be addressed prior to painting.
The preparation can vary from cleaning to scraping, sanding, patching, caulking, and priming.
And that is one of the main differences between just changing the color of the paint and properly repainting the existing home.
Do You Have to Repaint Everything?
Not necessarily.
Some homes require full repainting of the exterior.
Others may have particular areas that age faster due to sun exposure.
The same applies to interiors.
You may want to refresh your living room, hallway, kitchen, or front entry.
You should start with assessing the condition of the surface rather than assuming that everything needs to be painted at once.
But if several exterior surfaces are fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking at once, the full repaint can help you achieve more consistency.
How Often Should Your Arizona Home Be Repainted?
There is no set schedule that will apply to every home.
It depends on many factors including the previous paint, surface preparation, paint quality, sun exposure, color choice, surface type, and weather exposure.
Even a single side of the house may age faster than the other one.
That is why homeowners should rely on the state of paint rather than calendar when it comes to repainting their homes.
If you see fading, chalking, cracking, peeling, and failing caulk, it may be a sign that your home needs to be evaluated.
Fall is the Great Time to Assess Your Home
After a hot Arizona summer, fall presents homeowners with a great opportunity to take a look at their property.
Is the exterior looking good?
Is one side of the house faded?
Is the fascia peeled?
Does your front entry look worn?
Is there anything to do in the interior rooms before the holiday visitors arrive?
If several areas require attention, fall may be the perfect time to schedule painting.
iPaint Homes specializes in interior and exterior repainting of existing Arizona homes. Our team will evaluate the state of the paint, prepare surfaces according to their condition, and will focus on delivering consistent results.
You do not have to wait until the paint is peeling to do something about it.
Fall can be a great time to refresh your Arizona home, address summer wear, and enjoy holidays in a fresh-looking home.