Is Spring a Great Time to Repaint Homes?
If you’re planning to spruce up your rental apartment, there’s a definite allure to doing it in spring. With moderate temperatures and longer days, it’s the ideal time to give your property a unique identity by refreshing its exterior and boosting your curb appeal. To that end, most homeowners tend to look into repainting their houses around this time, but is spring truly the best season for the job? Read this article as we discuss the practicality and pros and cons of repainting your home during the spring season.
Advantages of Repainting During Spring
Spring offers ideal conditions for repainting homes, providing a balance of mild temperatures and lower humidity that help paint cure more evenly and last longer.
Moderate Temperatures
Get the best performance out of your expensive paints by applying them an ideal temperature. When it’s too hot, paint tends to dry too quickly, increasing the chances of leaving behind uneven brush strokes and mistakes. On the other hand, when the weather is too cold, drying time is much longer, which can affect adhesion and result in a drooping finish. That’s why landlords must choose a good quality of paint that is also easy to maintain. Spring’s gentle warmth is the perfect sweet spot that gives painters time to correct mistakes and dries quickly enough for a smoother finish.
Easier to Address Winter Damage Before Repainting
Another benefit of opting for a spring repainting job is that it’s a natural follow-up to fixing winter damage. Colder months can be harsh on your rental property, especially if you live in an area with tough winters. For instance, melting ice and harsh winds can leave scratches on your exterior siding, moisture damage, and chipped paint behind. As a result, most landlords use spring to assess and repair these issues before applying a fresh coat of paint to cover up the damage.
Potential Drawbacks of Spring Repainting
While spring is a popular season for repainting, it also comes with potential drawbacks like unpredictable weather and high demand for professional painters.
Weather Variability
Despite having moderate temperatures, painting in spring isn’t always a good choice since the weather can also be unpredictable. It’s a season prone to rain showers, high humidity, and the occasional temperature swing. This variability can disrupt your painting schedule and even mitigate the benefits of painting in the right temperature. That’s why it’s essential to monitor forecasts closely and choose dry, mild days for the best results.
Service Availability
Anticipate stiff competition if you’re looking to snag the best professional painter in your area during spring. Choosing established local paint contractors is a great option since they have already established a good reputation with the community. However, that also means they tend to be busier during spring, which is prime home renovation season. That means landlords who plan to use the best often have to endure long waitlists or be willing to pay more due to seasonal demand. Thus, spring repainting requires early planning and scheduling to avoid delays and get the best.
Weigh the Pros and Cons of Repainting During Spring
Let’s weigh the pros and cons and see if we can come to a definitive answer on whether repainting during spring is a good idea. For starters, spring often offers ideal temperatures where paint is more likely to adhere and cure better without leaving behind brush marks or cracks. Longer hours also mean contractors can get the job done quicker, reducing the cost of labor compared to colder seasons. That means there’s also time to identify and fix winter-related damage before it worsens. With lots of outdoor activities, repainting in spring means your property is all spruced up and ready to attract new tenants and buyers.
On the other hand, some of the drawbacks of repainting in spring can defeat the essence of the season. For instance, if there’s a sudden rain shower or windstorm, temperatures can dip quickly, and your paint can easily smear. Thus, weather variability of spring can cause more delays and affect paint quality. Despite that hiccup, more people tend to repaint their homes in spring, meaning there’s more demand for local experts. Thus, the best contractors would most likely get fully booked quickly if you don’t plan ahead or consider aligning with a more competitive rate to secure them.
Conclusion
Is spring a great time to repaint homes? Generally, yes. If you live in an area with a more predictable temperature that’s perfect for paint drying, it could be a great idea as long as you plan ahead to get the best local contractors. After all, why wait another season to cover up your winter damage, when you can lock in the best rates under ideal circumstances now? On the flip side, if your location is prone to more weather surges, it might be worth it to wait till you’re closer to summer but before it gets too hot. You can discuss your plans with an experienced property manager to find a timeline that enhances your home’s appearance.
