Introduction
As you pass your house, the faded paint, tired-looking weatherboards and the lack of colour is just not working anymore. One of the most visible changes that can be made to your Melbourne property is outside house painting, however, it is not just a case of choosing a colour and calling a painter.
The guide explains what outside house painting involves, how to prepare your home for painting, the choice of paint and colours, the factors that impact on costs and the most favourable time to paint against Melbourne’s climate, as well as how to find contractors to whom you can trust your property.
What Is Outside House Painting, and Why Does It Matter?
Outside house painting is not only an appearance project but also a protection maintenance decision. Cleaning the exterior coating provides long-term protection to appropriate surfaces exposed to the elements, provides a new look to the exterior, and enhances street appeal.
Common areas on a house that require exterior painting are exterior walls, fascia and eaves, doors, window trims, weatherboards, rendered surfaces, brick or masonry (if applicable) and timber details. Putting off exterior maintenance tasks can cause small problems on the surface to grow. Moisture is allowed to reach paint surfaces through peeling paint. Coatings can lose their protecting properties when they become faded. These repairs and issues can always be solved with a timely outside house painting job at a lower cost than they will be if they allow the issues to get to the point where there is a need to repair the structure along with repainting.
How to Prepare Your Home Before Painting
Preparation is one of the most important parts of any outside house painting project. Paint applied over dirty, damaged, or poorly primed surfaces will not perform well — regardless of how expensive the product is or how skilled the painter applying it.
Inspect Exterior Surfaces for Damage
Prior to exterior painting of house surfaces, all walls, timber surfaces and rendered areas should be carefully inspected for cracks, peeling paint, flaking paint, water damage, rot, mould or mildew, and loose surfaces. If they were not corrected first and then painted over, they will result in poor adhesion, peeling and in one season look worse than a well-prepared surface would after a decade.
Clean, Scrape, and Repair the Surface
Dirt, dust, loose paint and surface contaminants inhibit adhesion of the new coating. Pressure washing cleans surfaces of biological growth and loose material in appropriate surfaces. Scraping will remove flaking paint that might otherwise cause peeling of the new paint.If there are major structural problems such as leaks, large rot areas or substantial moisture damage, they should be addressed properly prior to painting the exterior of the house. Do not paint over active issues, otherwise they will not be solved and will not yield a long-term result.
Prime Surfaces Before Applying Paint
Primer establishes a firm foundation for the finish coat to adhere correctly on bare surfaces, surfaces that have been repaired, stained or difficult surfaces. When the team of professional exterior house painting services men and women inspect this surface they determine it on a case-by-case basis and apply the primer to the surface if it will enhance the adhesion and long-lasting performance of the coating system.
Choosing the Right Outside House Paint
What is the right outside house painting for any Melbourne house will depend on the type of surface that is being painted, the amount of weather exposure the paint will have to endure, the type of finish desired, and the colour that will be used. The range is different for a product suitable for weatherboard timber as opposed to rendered masonry or metal cladding.
Choose outside house painting that is durable, offers UV colour protection, provides a high coverage rate, has an appropriate sheen and is designed for the exterior surface it will be used on. A range of trusted Australian paint companies have exterior products available that are designed for Melbourne weather and that have been formulated to be flexible with temperature changing, resistant to UV and moisture-proof over a variety of surfaces found in Melbourne homes of all ages and construction.
Outside House Paint Colors: How to Choose the Right Exterior Colour
One of the most fun — and most expensive — steps in the process of painting the exterior of your home is choosing the color for the exterior. Darker statement colours can be used on particular architectural features, but should be considered alongside the rest of the exterior.
Before using an outside house painting colour, always sample a large area of the wall, NOT just a small chip. Test the sample in the morning light, afternoon light and artificial light, to see how the colour performs in various situations before making the final choice.
What Affects the Cost to Paint House Outside?
There is no single reliable price for painting house outside, as there are a number of factors which can differ from property to property. An accurate estimate of the cost of your project can only be determined after a written quote has been obtained following a site inspection.
| Cost Factor | Why It Affects Price |
| Home size | More surface area requires more materials and labour. |
| Surface condition | Repairs and preparation increase total labour time. |
| Number of coats | More coats require additional paint and application time. |
| Paint type | Different products carry different prices and coverage rates. |
| Access | High or difficult areas may need extra equipment. |
| Exterior details | Doors, trims, eaves, and fascia add scope to the project. |
Cost to paint house outside for a normal Melbourne residence average is normally $4,000, or maybe $12,000, but this is actually wide and for good reason! A small simple brick house is much cheaper to paint than a large two-storey weatherboard house that requires a lot of preparation and a number of different repair phases before the house can be topcoated.
When Is the Best Time for Exterior House Painting in Melbourne?
Melbourne climates are extremely unpredictable, and the conditions that occur during house painting in Melbourne outside affects the curing of the coating, the longevity and the appearance of the finished surface when the paint is completely dry.
The best time for painting the exterior is spring and autumn in Melbourne. The temperature range of 10 to 28 °C, combined with moderate humidity and relatively stable climate conditions, provides favorable conditions for painting and drying the paint. outside house painting should not be applied on wet surfaces, in direct strong sunlight or in areas of high humidity, or if rain is expected within 24 hours of application. Your painter should be actively looking at the forecast and making plans accordingly in order to work during periods when the forecast will benefit your particular coating system.
Should You Hire Exterior House Painting Contractors?
From experience, exterior house painting contractors will have the right equipment to do the job and they will also have the knowledge on how to prepare the house before painting it, which will make a huge difference in many Melbourne exterior painting jobs — especially larger, more complex, or more difficult properties.
DIY exterior painting is possible on small, single-story houses that have easy access and surfaces that are in good condition. However, for the majority of Melbourne homes, the preparation time, access requirements, product selection and complexities makes professional assistance a viable option — not just a convenience.
Think about hiring exterior house painting contractors if:
- Access to roofline is difficult or two floors.
- A lot of surface preparation or repair is required prior to painting.
- Project must be finished within a short period of time.
- Specialised surfaces such as Colorbond, fibre cement or heritage timber are used on the exterior.
- You would like uniform and professional appearance of surfaces on street-side views.
Exterior House Painting Services: What Should Be Included?
Professional outside house painting services will include all aspects of the painting job — not simply topcoats. When receiving any quotation, make sure the following steps are explicitly listed in the scope.
Exterior house painting services usually involve:
- Initial surface examination and condition surveying.
- Pressure washing or washing with soap on the exterior of the building.
- Scraping, sanding and stripping away loose or flaking paint.
- Preparing for coating by filling cracks, gaps and damaged surfaces.
- Application of primer on bare, repaired or challenging surfaces.
- Masking of windows, doors and adjoining surfaces.
- All specified surfaces to be painted with two coats of suitable exterior paint.
- Post project completion quality assurance and touch ups.
- Completely clean up of the site and removal of masking materials.
Not all exterior house painting services companies will have these steps as standard. Some operators don’t include cleaning or priming steps to give a lower quote, and a year or two later it becomes apparent as paint starts to peel off the surfaces that were not properly cleaned or primed.
Why Choose Samsimon Painters for Outside House Painting?
Samsimon Painters Melbourne handles all exterior painting tasks for residences, from weatherboard painting to render, brick, fascia, eaves, doors, trims, and fences, always ensuring all work is meticulously prepared and the right product is used. They conduct a surface survey and explain the preparation required for each surface, and offer a written quote that details all work to be performed before construction starts.
The colour selection can also be discussed with the team, as different outside house painting colour choices can affect your roof, landscaping and street environment before you choose, so there may be guidance in mixing a colour scheme that will be best for the team. For an exterior of house painting team that can be trusted to carry out a painting job right from the off up to the final clean up, contact Samsimon Painters for a consultation and quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to paint the outside of a house in Melbourne?
The cost will vary with the size of the home, surface preparation, surface quality, number of stories, and quality of paint.
2. How often should a house exterior be painted?
The exterior of most homes requires repainting every 7 to 10 years depending on the surface, quality of the paint and the weather in Melbourne.
3. What is the best paint for outside house walls?
Acrylic paint is a popular choice for the exterior of structures as it is both durable and weather resistant and retains its colour.
4. What are popular outside house paint colours?
Some of the most popular exterior house paint colors are white, cream, light gray, charcoal, Monument, and other neutral colors.
5. Can I paint my house exterior myself?
Yes but professional painters can offer more preparation, safety in use and a more even, lasting finish.
6. How long does outside house painting take?
Exterior painting can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks depending on the size of the property, preparation and weather.
7. Should exterior surfaces be cleaned before painting?
Yes, the purpose of cleaning is to eliminate dust, loose material, mould and dirt so that the new paint can bond properly.
8. Do exterior house painting contractors provide quotes?
Most exterior house painting services companies will offer a written estimate following an inspection of the exterior of the home to determine how much surface area, condition, and preparation is required.
9. Can I change my home’s exterior colour completely?
Yes, the exterior colour can be changed, but it is important to take into consideration your home’s style, roof colour, surroundings and local requirements.
10. How do I choose the right exterior painting contractor?
Look for a contractor with good reviews, most importantly one who is experienced, has the right insurance coverages, uses good materials, offers a clear quote, and can provide you with examples of what they have done in the past with their exterior projects.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to hiring an outsourcing professional in Melbourne’s vicinity for exterior painting, it involves more than just picking a shade and scheduling a beginning date. The longer the result lasts, the more you can do to prepare for it. The type of paint depends on the surface and exposure to the weather. Before committing, you have to have colour tests done in the real environment of your home. Weather in Melbourne can impact the curing and performance of the coating over time.
Professional outside house painting contractors can handle these decisions for you; they know how to prepare, they know what products to use, they can offer you insight on colour and they can make the difference between you being able to enjoy your painting for 10 years or less, within a season or two. Looking to get outside house painting done in Melbourne that knows Melbourne homes? Call Samsimon Painters and get professional exterior painting advice and a no-cost quote today!
