There are many reasons why painting the exterior of your commercial building is important. While the aesthetics and curb appeal are major benefits, the protection and longevity of your building’s exterior are some of the more beneficial reasons for keeping up with its maintenance.
Paint protects your building against natural wear and tear caused by the weather conditions we experience in Conroe, The Woodlands, and the Houston area. Painting your building’s exterior ensures a long-lasting, clean look for the building, which is important for property owners and property managers alike. Scheduling your commercial exterior painting at a time that works for your schedule as well as maximizes the benefits is key to getting a paint finish that endures both time and weather. There are a few factors to consider when scheduling your commercial exterior painting project.
Humidity
Excessive humidity can cause problems with the drying process of your exterior paint. This is because excessive humidity prevents water from escaping wet paint. Water vapor and other additives trapped underneath dry paint may result in blistering or peeling paint. This is why professionals recommend exterior painting when the relative humidity is no higher than 75% because the paint begins to get gummy and will not dry properly over 80%.
High humidity in Houston during the late summer and early fall months can prolong the time it takes for paint to dry. Since the average humidity year-round in Houston sits at 75% this is not usually an issue as you can schedule around the excessively humid days. There are optimal times for other conditions to consider when planning your exterior painting project.
Temperature
Temperature plays a significant role in the drying process of exterior paint. Paints have specific conditions in which they dry best. Improper conditions can lead to peeling, blistering, flaking, or premature degradation leaving your building exposed to the elements. This is because temperature influences the rate at which additives in your paint evaporate, which can result in drying prematurely or too slowly.
Painting the outside of a commercial building in extreme weather conditions is not advisable because it prevents paint from drying properly. Optimal drying temperatures depend on the type of paint used but generally fall into the 50°F – 90°F range.
Cooler temperatures result in slower evaporation time which can cause a film or skin to develop on top of your paint. This can cause paint to be more susceptible to cracking over time.
According to Benjamin Moore:
If the exterior temperature is too cold, you may experience:
- Extended dry times
- Peeling
- Inability for latex paint to form a film
If the exterior temperature is too hot, you may experience:
- Improper flow and leveling
- Wrinkling
- Blistering and peeling
Direct Sunlight
Sunlight can also cause problems with your paint’s drying process. This is because sunlight increases the rate at which moisture evaporates from the wet paint, resulting in the newly painted areas not drying, or curing, properly.
Professional painters keep this in mind as they work to paint surfaces out of direct sunlight. This means painting opposite of where the sun is in direct contact with surfaces as the day progresses to minimize direct exposure.
Best Time of the Year for Exterior Paint
For Houston, we enjoy a longer window of opportunity when it comes to the best time to paint your building’s exterior. Spring, Fall, and even early Winter are all ideal times to have your exterior work done. As long as your building is not painted while it’s raining (or snowing), excessively humid, or during times of extreme temperatures, it will be protected for years to come with a fresh, and well-cured coat of paint.
Taking care of your exterior surfaces and understanding how temperature, humidity, and direct sunlight effects the drying process is important to the longevity of your next exterior painting project. When you consider an upgrade to your exterior surfaces, trusting a professional to complete the project with both time and workmanship in mind is the best way to care for your building.
At Streamline Painting, we begin each project with a thorough cleaning and inspection of your surfaces to ensure that the job is done right the first time. Our experienced and licensed painters provide everything your building needs to look its best and be protected. For a free estimate and detailed explanation of our services, call us or book a time to meet with us online
