Painting cladding is like the icing for your exterior’s final look. The exterior finish to your house should be given the same significance as its interior. Deciding on the materials to use on your exterior walls is vital. It gives precedence to several other significant decisions.
There is an extensive range of materials you can opt to use for your walls. That is either on their own or in combination with others. Even so, choosing the appropriate cladding material is significant for varying reasons.
Some include maintenance, and to get a unique, natural, and raw appeal. Many homeowners prefer an unfinished style for their cladding.
But, for other types of cladding, painting is unavoidable. It would be best to give it some deep thought for a flawless and attractive look.
Knowing what you need to paint cladding materials of varying nature is essential. It can save you a lot of future headaches.
The outcome of your paint job depends on other factors. They include the type of paint you use, the method of application, and the preparations you make. If you want to be painting cladding like a pro, read on for helpful insight.
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Vinyl walls
Vinyl is a popular exterior option for many homeowners. It is affordable yet attractive. Advancement in its manufacture has made it easier to maintain and more durable. Vinyl comes in a range of colours in its original form, which renders it ready to use in most settings. You may need to give it a retouch after a while once you notice its better days are no more.
Like most other cladding materials, it is not invincible. If your vinyl exteriors no longer have the oomph of the old days, it is time for a revamp. A paint job is less expensive than replacing an entire surface. Below are some helpful tips to assist you in painting the cladding of vinyl.
Preparation
- Before painting vinyl cladding, prepare the surface to get the best results from your paint job by ensuring a clean surface. This helps get rid of the dirt and other debris buildup and mold.
- Use the right ingredients for your cleaning solution, especially where there is mildew and mold. At least have the right amount of detergents, cleaners, bleach, and enough water.
Painting
- Choose the right paint colour. If you get bored of the original colour of your vinyl walls, you can always change to your preferred colour. Narrow down your options from the vast assortment available. To do this, consider the style of your home and the colour of other exterior features like roofing.
- Make sure you use paint that is developed specifically for exterior use. Such pigments have fundamental properties and ingredients ideal for outdoor use. For example, with vinyl, look for a paint made with ingredients that can cope with its expanding and contracting features.
- Even if other paints are cheaper, do not compromise the quality to save some money.
Set up your painting tools and supplies and paint two coats. Cover areas you do not want to paint to protect them from splutters. A ladder can also come in handy to help reach the top surfaces.
Wood cladding
Wood cladding can be set up in many forms and styles depending on the wood type and owner’s preference. To get the best results from painting wooden cladding, follow the following steps.
Surface preparation
Like with any other material, you need to prep your surface appropriately. Wood is different because of its nature and versatility.
- Start by cleaning the surface with water and scrub the walls manually.
- Where you have mold present, use the right chemicals and equipment to clean the mold or call a professional if you fall short in your ability.
- Even out and smoothen the surface with sandpaper. It also removes stubborn dirt, grease, and paint flakes.
- Using a primer helps ensure the paint sticks on the surface, especially where no previous painting has occurred. Wait for the primer to dry before applying the initial paint coat.
Painting
- After getting rid of the previous paint, apply an undercoat. It is critical before applying the topcoat if you want your paint to stick and last long.
- Ensure that the paint is applied evenly on all sides of the wood. This includes the adjoining edges and the undersides.
- Long strokes without halting mid-way are recommendable for a unique final look.
Type of paint
- Exterior paints such as gloss, varnish, and satin are more suited for all your outdoor wood cladding.
- Before commencing your paint job, conduct some research to establish whether your paint has the necessary properties for outdoor use.
- Oil-based paints are the most appropriate for timber because of their moisture resistance properties.
Plaster cladding
Painting cladding of monolithic nature is different from painting PVC cladding. Plaster is heavily reliant on painting to enhance its waterproof properties.
To get it right with painting cladding made of plaster, here is what you need to know:
Use quality paint
Whether you are painting axon cladding to remodel your home or for any other reasons you may deem painting cladding on the house necessary, the number one priority should always be the quality of your paint.
- Good paint for plaster walls should have minimal viscosity plus a high build. This ensures it penetrates exceptionally into the surface and for outstanding adhesion. This offers your walls superb protection, which you would not get from other low-quality paints.
- If your wall has cracks, they need to get sorted before you commence to paint. Do not expect any paint to fix cracking on your walls magically. This is irrespective of what the manufacturer says on the packaging. An acrylic-based plaster would be a better alternative to repair such gaps.
Each colour has different impact
- Avoid dull colours with low light reflective value because they cannot reflect much sunlight. Instead, they tend to absorb more heat.
- Dark colours can cause the walls to heat up and flex, making your paint job deteriorate quicker as the walls crack.
Coating of paint
- Ensure the film thickness of the paint you apply is accurate. This helps prevent flaking and bubbling, giving you a long-lasting and attractive finish.
- Giving your walls a splash once in a while helps retain the fresh look and keeps the paint in good shape for longer.
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