As you prepare to dress the house up for the holidays, you notice that your paint is looking a bit lackluster. 

The inside could use repainting and the outside is starting to fade. 

Before you schedule a couple of new coats, you’re wondering, “Can you paint a house in the winter?”

By the end of this article, you’ll know tips and tricks for painting the interior or exterior of your home in the winter.

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Can You Paint a House in the Winter?

If you’re looking to brighten up your interior paint, you’re in luck — you can check this off your winter project list. 

Painting the exterior of your home, on the other hand, is not quite such an easy task. 

There are a few factors that will determine if you should or shouldn’t start your exterior paint project in the winter. 

Can You Paint Exterior Walls in Winter?

While you can paint exterior walls in winter, whether you should or not will depend on the…

… if you want a job well done.

Professionals will be able to tell when and how to paint during the winter months.

A1 Paint Removal, Painting & Restoration is family-owned and operated since 1995.

The professionals at A1 Paint are ready to help you achieve the look you’re going for, and will… 

  • Help you select colors
  • Help you choose the right finish; and
  • Take your timeline and accessibility into account

… while consulting you at every step of the process to make sure your needs and desires are kept in mind. 

Contact us to get a free estimate for your exterior paint needs.​​

Temperature Requirements for Exterior Painting

Drier and less humid conditions are the most ideal for exterior painting. 

Avoiding rain and the rainy season is preferable since the high level of moisture in the air can compromise the paint’s ability to dry. 

Looking ahead at the forecast is also important as any major fluctuations in temperature from day to night can cause the paint to crack and peel.

In many climates, wintertime offers the most ideal conditions for exterior painting — unless your region snows. The air becomes more humid during snowfall which can become problematic for exterior painting. 

Certain areas of the U.S. that experience milder winters offer a great opportunity for exterior painting.

The last temperate factor to keep in mind is that, ideally, you want to try and avoid painting when it’s colder than 35 degrees outside. 

But, keep in mind that even if the temp says it’s 35 degrees, other factors like wind chill and humidity levels can often make the air feel colder than 35 degrees — this difference matters when you’re painting your home’s exterior. 

Why Does Weather Matter?

So, can you paint in the winter? Outside temps and rain can make painting a challenge. 

When there’s more humidity in the air, the paint may be more likely to peel or crack down the line.

During high-humidity weather or rainy seasons, it’s difficult for exterior paint to dry evenly and properly, resulting in a shorter overall lifetime of the paint. 

Tips and Tricks for Painting the Exterior of a House in Winter

Be sure to prep your house before starting to paint and check the forecast for a few days before and after your scheduled project. 

Another tip to keep in mind is the time of day in which you paint. 

Start your painting project in the late morning after the sun has had some time to warm up the surface of your home and try to aim to finish painting for the day around mid-afternoon. 

This schedule gives your paint enough time to set before temperatures drop in the evening and your paint doesn’t have adequate time to dry. 

You can also look into a number of… 

  • Paints
  • Stains
  • Primers; and 
  • Coatings 

… that are specifically designed for low-temperature use.

Struggling to decide on what color to paint your home’s exterior? A1 Paint Removal, Painting & Restoration is here to solve your color dilemma. 

We’ll help you decide on the right color scheme (and finish) to achieve the look you’re after.

Can You Paint Interior Walls in Winter?

Yes, you can absolutely paint your interior walls in the wintertime. New year, new paint colors, new you. 

In fact, there are some benefits of not waiting for warmer weather.

Benefits of Painting the Interior of a House in the Winter

As we mentioned above, low humidity is ideal for letting paint dry faster and more effectively. 

Because of this, colder winter months are usually the best time for painting both the exterior or interior of your home. 

If you’re hiring a professional, painting the interior of your home in the winter can also likely start and finish quicker, too. 

Because painters can be less busy in the winter months, you likely won’t need to wait for a list of other clients’ projects to finish before they can start on yours. 

Tips and Tricks for Interior Cold-Weather Painting

Once you’re on a roll, it can be tempting to layer on a second coat of paint. But hold off — making sure you’ve allowed your first coat adequate time to dry is essential. 

To help cut down on drying time, open your windows for added airflow. The colder winter air can help speed up the process.

Be sure you’re aware of the proper drying time for your type of paint. You’ll want to wait at least 24 hours before applying the second coat if you’re using an oil-based paint, and just 4-6 hours if you’re using a latex-based paint.

Worried you’ll waste precious holiday time on your painting project? After all, painting a house is no small task. 

A1 Paint Removal, Painting & Restoration can help you paint both your home’s interior and exterior today while keeping your timeline in mind. 

Can Painting a House in the Winter Provide Cost Savings?

If you’re looking to hire a professional for your painting project, there’s a chance your total bill might be less in the winter months. 

Warmer months tend to be busy for painters, so their prices can go up due to increased demand. 

In the winter, finding a contractor might actually save you some money.

Let A1 Paint Removal, Painting & Restoration Help You Determine if Your Home Can Be Painted in the Winter

Family-owned and operated since 1995, we at A1 Paint Removal, Painting & Restoration are prepared to help you get your home where you want it, whether that means updating the interior paint, exterior paint, or both.

We’ll take into account what you’re looking to do and make sure the weather requirements are right before starting your project. 

Contact us to get a free estimate for your paint needs.​​