Exterior House Painting – How Does Winter Weather Affect It?

Canadian Winters and Exterior House Painting Projects Do Not Mix

Canadians are no strangers to the effects of winter weather. We can be banished indoors by the snow, wind, and ice, so it’s only natural that at the first sign of “good” weather, people are itching to get outside and start some projects. Once you begin working on your home and property outdoors, it is easy to notice more and more things that need to be repaired due to the harsh winter weather.

One big project that usually needs to be taken care of after a long bout of cold winter is the exterior house paint. Snow and ice can wreak havoc on the exterior of your home, and every year, people are tempted to take advantage of a warmer, sunny day in the winter to get a head start on home repairs. If you are one of these people, stop and read why waiting is a much better plan!

It is hard for paint to dry in the winter

Winter brings more than cold; it also produces moisture, which is harmful to any kind of painting project. In particular, wood is susceptible to moisture damage in the winter because once wood is wet, it takes a lot longer to dry in cold temperatures. This causes water particles to be trapped inside the wood, and once warmer weather comes, it thaws and evaporates and that is when you see the exterior paint lifting and peeling.

Paint does not cure properly when it is cold

It doesn’t matter how warm it is today; if winter is not safely tucked away for the year, your exterior house painting project will not end well. No paint is a match for temperatures below 0 degrees. It may spray or brush on well in today’s warmer temperatures, but tomorrow’s cold weather will leave you frustrated and disappointed with the end result.

The curing process of your exterior paint is a very important factor. Temperatures really affect the curing process, which means in the humid heat of summer and the frigid cold of winter, you are out of luck with any exterior painting project. It takes a long time in normal temperatures for paint to cure, and even longer in the winter.

Chemical reactions can happen

Certain exterior paints are even worse in the winter because they react chemically with the cold weather. Chemical reactions are usually something to avoid in any circumstance, even your exterior house painting project. These reactions can stop the paint from drying properly, curing completely, and can cause bubbling and peeling.

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