House exteriors have a number of surfaces and require a bit more planning due to the exposure to different climates.

Below you will find our steps and tips to help you paint your home exterior and create a lasting impression.

Estimated Time

At least One week

An already prepped house exterior could take up to one week depending on the size of your home and number of surfaces that require painting.

What you're going to need

• Paint

• Plastic and canvas drop cloths

• Painter’s masking tape

• Angled paint brush

• Paint brush 50 or 63mm

• Roller Frame 230 or 270mm width

• 9-12mm nap roller cover (matching frame width)

• Cutting in brush (50mm or 63mm)

• Paint tray (matching frame width)

• Paint roller pole

• Step ladder

We recommend safely using a step ladder or an extendable roller pole when painting higher walls.
 

Step-by-step guide

1. Prepare exterior walls for painting to achieve the best finish. Read the how to prepare exterior walls article for tips.

2. Determine the paint colour scheme for your exterior. You may choose a dominant colour and a number of trim colours, depending on the detail and materials used on the exterior of your home. Review our colour charts at your local Bristol paint store, or check out our paint colour section. Remember to consider colours you’ve selected for doors, fascias, eaves and gutters, when making your choice.

3. Our Paint Calculator will help you determine the quantity of paint required for the area you will be painting.

4. Always take safety precautions when painting exteriors. If a step ladder is required, follow the product’s safety instructions and ensure it’s placed on level ground and there is someone steadying the ladder from the ground.

5. We always recommend painting from the top down, beginning with the gutters.

6. Once the gutters are complete move onto the fascia (the board under the gutter) and eaves (the section between the fascia and wall). We recommend painting fascias and gutters with brushes rather than small paint rollers.

7. Next, move onto the walls. The equipment required here is dependent on the nature of the surface you’re painting on. Weatherboards will need to be painted with a small roller, brush or spray, while brick and render can be painted with sprays or extra-long nap rollers. If you’re painting anything other than weatherboards you’ll need to add a few additional materials.

8. Finally, paint the trims and windows. Make sure windows are open when painting so they are not painted shut.

9. Replace pot plants, hoses and any items that make your newly paint house a home!

Read the how to paint a wall guide for more tips and tricks.