Best Time to Paint Your Home Exterior in Wisconsin

Painting your home’s exterior can give it a completely new aesthetic look and protect the structure against the elements, and boost the property’s value. When painting your home exterior, it’s vital to consider certain elements such as the current weather and climate.

This is especially crucial in Wisconsin, which is known for its warm summers and extremely cold winters. That’s why when hiring a painting contractor in Milwaukee, you’ll want one that’s experienced and knows how to perform an excellent job in certain conditions and the best time to do it.

Follow this guide to learn the best time to paint your home's exterior in Wisconsin, as well as factors to consider so you know exactly what to expect.

Best Time To Paint Your Home Exterior

Spring, summer, and early fall are all considered great times of year to paint your home’s exterior in Wisconsin. The best months to paint your home are May to September, as they typically offer very favourable conditions. You’ll benefit from warmer temperatures, dry conditions, and longer daylight hours. Alternatively, September offers lower humidity levels than most other months.

Be cautious when painting in direct sunlight and high temperatures, especially if humidity levels are also high. This can lead to quick drying, which can result in uneven finishes or visible brush marks on your home's exterior.

One of the advantages of hiring a professional to paint your home is that they’ll know when to paint the exterior and when not to, as well as the best time to do it. Here at GRH Painting LLC, we’re honest with our clients and always keep their best interests in mind when painting the house exterior.

When Not to Paint Your Home

We don’t recommend painting your home in winter, whether it’s early or late in the season. The state can experience extremely harsh winters, with abundant snow and freezing conditions, so it’s best to avoid painting during this time.

It’s not recommended to paint when the temperatures are below 50°F, as the paint won’t cure properly. There are specialized low-temperature paints that allow you to paint as low as 35°F, but it’s generally not recommended unless you’re in real need of it. From December to February, you can expect plenty of snowfall. Due to these conditions, the paint won’t bond correctly, so it’s more likely to fail.

Additionally, increased rainfall can cause issues with adhesion. You can also expect extended drying times due to the cold temperatures, which isn’t ideal.

Factors That Affect An Exterior Paint Job

Weather - Wisconsin is known for its varied climate, with mild to hot summers and cold winters. During the summer, you can expect plenty of rain, which can cause problems with adhesion. So though it’s a good time to paint your home, you’ll need to carefully choose the days when it won’t rain during and after a couple of days to let it dry properly.

The temperature can also affect the exterior finish and longevity. Freezing low and very high temperatures can have a heavy impact on your home’s exterior paint job. The days you do it matter just as much as the season.

Location & Orientation - Where your home is located can also make a difference. If you live near a lake, you’ll often deal with more moisture and humidity. There’s also the issue of pollution, which can be caused by heavy traffic if you live near a freeway or manufacturing plants.

You’ll also need to be aware of the orientation of your home, also known as the exterior direction. If your house sits in direct sunlight, this can affect the appearance of the paint, especially as increased UV light exposure can break it down more quickly.

Exterior Surface and Quality - There are various siding materials, ranging from vinyl, metal, and wood, which react differently with paint. The paint you use and how often you need to touch up your home’s exterior all depend on the type of siding your property has. Wood siding will likely require repainting more frequently, as it’s more vulnerable to the elements. The condition of your siding also matters, especially if there are any holes or cracks.

Paint Quality - Although this isn’t something many people consider, the type of paint you choose can determine the quality and longevity of your house's exterior. There are several types of exterior paints to choose from, which are determined by the manufacturing process, the type of pigments used, and the quality of the binders/resins.

You’ll also want to consider the paint color when decorating your home’s exterior. Typically, darker colors tend to fade more quickly as they absorb more heat, while lighter colors often have a longer lifespan. Here at GRH Painting LLC, we only use high-quality paints to ensure that our exterior home paint jobs last a long time.