Normally this time of year is synonymous with getting into a festive spirit and bracing for frigid and snowy weather. We’ve been lucky in the snow department (so far), but getting into the festive spirit can mean different things to different people.
Beyond holiday decorating, if you’ve recently moved homes or have decided to freshen up the look of your current space with some new paint, there are some important things to consider:
‘Painting in cold weather or during winter is sometimes unavoidable. Many homebuilders and remodelers try to get everything done by the end of the year but sometimes timing is just not right.
It is important to understand how really low temperatures can affect paint application and how it changes the drying pattern, characteristics and performance of the paint.
Cold weather affects painting because alkyd and oil paints are based on natural oils and resins that at low temperatures become more viscous. So when painting in cold weather, or even at subzero temperatures, some paints, will become very thick or semi-solid that might require excessive thinning. However, latex paints will freeze at low temperatures, requiring some special additives to improve freeze/thaw resistance in paints. These same additives could be used for hot weather painting making easier the brushing and rolling process. Latex paints are affected solely by the slower evaporation rate of water and volatile additives at low temperatures.
Tips
• Verify that the paint manufacturer recommends the paint for your specific temperatures
• Check the wall’s temperature with a non-contact infrared thermometer, too, not just the air temperature
• Turn up the heat as it will help your paint on getting dry
• Choose the right roller and brush depending on the temperature and paint consistency.
• Paint between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., light on clear cold days will help you on getting a better view
(Juan Rodriguez, thebalance.com)
Regardless of when you plan your painting project, the best strategy would involve the consultation (and application) by a professional. At Flying Colours we’ll ensure that your painting project is expertly completed to meet all of your specific needs.