Exterior painting in Boston is seasonal. Paint needs mild temperatures, dry siding and a few dry hours after it goes on. Winters here are cold and snowy and springs are wet, so the outdoor season runs from about May to October.
What is the best time of year to paint the outside of a house here?
The best time of year to paint a house exterior in Boston is late spring through early fall, roughly mid May to early October. The best months are usually June and September, when days are warm and nights stay mild. The warm season, with average highs above 73 degrees, runs from early June to mid September. July and August work well too, with care around heat, sun and humid days.
Good painters book up for this window. If you want exterior work done in summer, ask for an estimate in late winter or early spring.
Can you paint outside when it is raining or about to rain?
No. Paint cannot go on wet siding, and it should not be applied when rain is due within a few hours. Water on the surface stops the paint from bonding, and rain on fresh paint washes it or leaves spots. On a showery day we do prep under cover or move to a dry side of the house.
It rained a few hours after painting. Is it ruined?
Probably not. If the paint had a few hours to dry before it rained, light rain after that usually does no harm. Heavy rain on paint that is still wet can leave streaks, spots or a washed look. Look at the wall once it dries. Marked areas can be recoated. Paint that dried normally and looks even is fine.
How long after rain before siding can be painted?
Wait until the siding is dry all the way through, which is often a full dry day after rain and longer for bare wood. Sun and wind speed it up. Shaded north walls, cedar shingles and wood that was bare when it got wet take longest to dry out before painting. A moisture meter gives a firm answer when there is doubt.
How cold is too cold to paint outside?
It is too cold when the air or the wall is below the minimum on the paint can. Many exterior latex paints need about 50 degrees, and some are made to cure down to about 35 degrees. The temperature has to stay above that limit for hours after painting, not just at noon. In Boston that rules out most days from late fall through March. January lows average in the mid 20s.
How hot is too hot, and is direct sun a problem?
Around 90 degrees is too hot for most exterior paints, and direct sun is a problem even on cooler days. A wall in full sun is far hotter than the air. Paint dries before it can level and bond, which leaves lap marks and blisters. Boston's July highs average in the low 80s, so heat is manageable. We follow the shade around the house and paint each side when the sun is off it.
Does humidity or morning dew affect exterior painting?
Yes. Humid air slows drying, and dew can wet a wall that looked dry the evening before. Boston summers are muggy from about mid June into September. We start once the morning dew has burned off and stop early enough for the paint to set before evening damp arrives.
Can you paint inside in winter with the windows closed?
Yes. Interior painting works well in winter, even with the windows closed. Heated rooms are dry, and paint dries well in dry air. Modern low-odor waterborne paints do not need open windows, and a fan and a cracked window are enough for comfort. Winter is a good time for interiors and cabinets, because exterior work is on hold.
Planning an exterior for next season? Call or text (617) 553-6484 for a free estimate.