Exterior painting

The best time of year to paint a house exterior is fall (September–October), followed by late spring and early summer. Most acrylic latex paints cure best between 50°F and 85°F with humidity under 85%; summer painting should happen early in the morning and winter painting is best kept to touch-ups.

Exterior colors fade mainly because UV light breaks down paint binders and pigments. Muted earth tones like tans and grays hold up best, bright reds, blues and yellows fade fastest, and satin or semi-gloss finishes resist fading better than flat paint, especially on west- and south-facing walls.