THE ART OF HOUSE PAINTING

BRUSH UP ON EXTERIOR DECORATING TECHNIQUES FOR AN AUTHENTIC FINISH AND LONG-LASTING RESULTS

- DOUGLAS KENT

There is much more to successfully painting the exterior of a house than simply choosing a paint colour and brushing it on. Paint functions to protect the building and its fixtures from degradation caused by the weather, as well as enhancing the appearance of a building. The paint you choose needs to be compatible with the surface its covering, as well as durable, maintainable, historically suitable and well applied. It should also have environmentally sound credentials. And while you may be tempted to give plain brickwork a facelift, it’s preferable not to paint original walls that have been previously left bare.

Use paint colours that are in keeping with the age, style and location of your property

COMPATIBILITY MATTERS

What lies beneath is important, and any new paint must be compatible with existing coatings. For example, the use of a water-based Latex paint over existing alkyd or oil-based paint may lead to the old paint detaching. The paint must also suit the building materials it is applied to. The walls of most houses built prior to 1919 are of traditional solid construction, unlike modern walls that have cavities. So it is important that the paint you use is ‘breathable’, to allow for the evaporation of moisture. If impermeable plastic-based coatings are used, it can produce blistering, damp and cause general deterioration.

TO GLOSS OR NOT