Is it time that time again? Your home in Venice, Florida needs to have your house exterior painted? Is it looking a little drab? Faded from the sun? Or maybe the paint's starting to chip and crack? 

Repainting your existing house can make it look brand new. But when done incorrectly, it can take away from the beauty and value of your home. 

There's nothing worse than a sloppy paint job with long cracks and deep chips. Or when it's painted in unattractive colors!

In this article, you'll discover how to paint a house like an expert. 

1. How to Pick Colors That Turn up the Curb Appeal

Choosing the right colors for the exterior of your home is important. The right color combination can make your home look like it belongs in a home decorating magazine. Now that's curb appeal!

The right color selection accentuates the home's unique architectural details. And when it comes to painting color choices, the sky's the limit. 

Which color do you choose if you're not an expert? To get started, flip through some house and garden or architectural magazines like Architectural Digest. You might even get ideas driving around the neighborhood.

Is there are beautiful section of town in the area where you live? Then take a ride and look around. See what styles appeal to your taste. 

And take note of the trim colors. Painting a color that blends in too much to the rest of the house can look dull. You may do better with contrasting colors.

Want your paint job to last for years? Then stay away from bright colors.

Vibrant shades fade fast. More muted tones last longer. But if you're set on something bright, consider using it for a small portion of the house like the front door or the trim rather than the entire house.

Your Roof, Your Accents, and the HOA

When choosing colors, consider the color of your roof and stone or brick accents. You want it to coordinate well with these details.

If you're stuck between two colors, test them on the house to see how they look in different lights: early morning, mid-afternoon, and dusk.

Do you live in a community managed by a home owner's association (HOA)? Then check with them first. They may only allow certain color choices.

Also, check with the local building department. They may have restrictions on paint colors.

2. Buy Quality Exterior Paint with High Volume Solids

Don't skimp on quality to save money on house painting. Your home shows the difference. Make sure to use a paint that's acrylic latex. With acrylic latex, you get pigments, binders, and solvents.

Solvents allow you to spread the paint well. The binders attach the pigment. The pigments show color. You want the pigments to stay when the solvent evaporates.

When this occurs, it means the paint contains high volume solids. High volume solids signify a better quality paint brand. They also contain more quality binders.

Binders make the pigments last longer, making it more durable on the face of your home. Typically, premium paints offer higher volume solids. Ask your painter or paint store.

 3. Let's Get Started: How to Prep the Surface

After you've chosen your colors and had them approved, you may want to pick up that brush and get painting. But you need to prep the surface first. If your home has previously been painted, examine the home's exterior.

Check for mildew, peeling, and chipping. You can get rid of mildew by pouring a solution of chlorine bleach solution into your garden hose. Next, pressure-wash the house. This removes any built-up dirt from bad weather.

Do you own a stucco house? When working with stucco, it needs to cure for around a month. Curing allows the paint to adhere to the surface of your home.  But if you don't a month, sometimes keeping the stucco wet by hosing it down will speed up the curing process.

Caulk and Patch Cracks Before You Paint

Got cracks? then it's time to caulk. Your home's cracks and joints need to be sealed before you apply paint.

Double-check the molding, fascia boards, door frames, and the window frames, so you know how much caulk you need. After caulking, gentle sand the areas where you caulked.

4. Don't Forget a Sealer

A quality sealer will prime the surface of your house well, so the paint locks into the surface. It can even be used over old paint to make the newer paint adhere better.

Are the walls chalky or dusty looking? Then you'll need to buy a chalky wall sealer. If your home construction consists of wood or vinyl siding, you'll be safe with a latex primer.

However, if your house is stucco that's not cured one hundred percent, buy a hot stucco primer. Wait for the primer or sealer to dry. Check the manufacturer's directions if you're painting the house DIY.

5. Know the Spraying and Backrolling Painting Technique

One of the best painting techniques when having your house exterior painted is spraying and back-rolling. It's an excellent painting technique to get your house looking smooth fast. The spray and roll strategy also works great on stucco homes.

You'll need two people. One person applies the paint with a paint sprayer while the other follows closely behind them smoothing the previously sprayed paint with a roller. When using a sprayer, always make sure to protect trim, windows, and architectural details with plastic. As another option, use a sprayer with a shield.

Two coats work best if your budget will permit. If you paint twice, ensure the first coat is completely dry before applying the second coat. You can learn the appropriate drying time by reading the label.

Smooth to the Touch: Get Your Venice, Florida House Exterior Painted Like a Pro

Follow these five essential tips when it's time to get your home's exterior painted. Your Venice, Florida house will radiate with curb appeal and last for years to come.

Looking for an expert to do your house painting for you? Contact Harmon Custom Painting today. You won't be disappointed.