A Fresh Coat of Paint

With a myriad of ways to boost your home’s curb appeal, the process can feel daunting. No matter the end goal, a fresh coat of paint is a great place to start.

Experts say a good paint job does more than increase your home’s value and overall appearance. It can also protect against moisture, mildew and UV damage. To ensure all that, you must plan accordingly — painting isn’t as simple as choosing a color and grabbing a brush.

“Prep is key,” said Mike Miller, owner and operator of Emerald Coast Painters. “If you don’t prep correctly, it’ll fail.”

Miller is a second-generation painting contractor. Before moving to the Emerald Coast in 2016, he ran a successful painting business in Ohio with a database he inherited from his uncle. While working and living in the snow wasn’t always easy, he says Florida presents its own unique challenges to painters. 

For one, the sun’s harsh UV rays cause paint to fade faster than up North, and the humidity affects dry times. As such, paint selection is a crucial part of the process. According to Miller, Emerald Coast Painters uses Sherwin-Williams and Florida Paints. 

“Both manufacturers have products that are specific to painting outside in the elements and are going to withstand Florida’s (climate),” Miller said. 

Mike Miller of Emerald Coast Painters tends to avoid doling out color advice. Still, he warns against choosing dark colors for front doors, especially those with glass screens. “If you paint that front door black, for the first six hours in the morning in the middle of July, it’s baking in the sun, and the air temperature between those doors can get extremely hot,” Miller explained. “So, when you touch that door, it’ll be hot to your hand.” Plus, dark colors fade faster. Photo by istock / getty images: hikesterson (gray house),

Another challenge is the ever-present “sea breeze” for beachside properties. 

“When you live on the beach, you have a slight breeze 99% of the time,” Miller said. “So, we have to brush and roll paint onto a house because if we spray, the paint can carry to someone’s car or a surface that’s not getting painted. Put that house in the middle of Crestview or Navarre, and you can spray.” 

Brushing and rolling, he said, takes longer than spray painting — something to be mindful of when crafting a timeline for a painting project. 

Regardless of climate, prep is essential. Paint needs a clean, smooth surface to adhere properly, so power washing the walls to remove dirt, grime and peeling paint is vital. Skipping this step can negatively impact the overall look and longevity of the project, costing you more money in the long run. 

While painting is something anyone can do themselves, Miller recommends hiring a professional because they’ll ensure everything is done correctly — from the paint selection and prep process to the painting itself. 

“The one thing we’re constantly battling is people thinking contractors’ prices are too high, so they’ll do it themselves and then call back and say, ‘Hey, I failed, I can’t do this,’” Miller said. “And now they’ve wasted time and money.”

One thing many painting contractors won’t do is help select a paint color — that’s up to you. But, Miller says his team will provide clients with a Sherwin-Williams designer kit or even send a Sherwin-Williams representative to assist. Just remember to be mindful of any Homeowners Association rules and regulations. 

“We once waited two months for an HOA approval for an all-white house,” Miller laughed. “Some places are strict, and others are easygoing. … We try to help the client, but we tell people, ‘We stick it, we don’t pick it.’” 

So, choose wisely! 

For Exterior Project Planning

from Dennis Fiorilli, Sherwin-Williams director of product excellence 

1. Exterior project planning is all about the prep — one of the most common mistakes is underestimating how much time in advance you need to start preparing and how much paint is needed for a project. Sherwin-Williams Paint Calculator can help its users figure out how much paint to purchase, either by a quick calculation estimate or a custom calculation that requires more information.  

2. Be aware of the environment and conditions you’re working in and pay close attention to weather in the days surrounding your project. This also includes understanding not only the air temperature but also the substrate’s temperature you’re working with.

3. Invest in quality products! Indoor projects can be more forgiving. But for exterior projects, homeowners want extra durable finishes to last years through plenty of different weather conditions.

4. Make sure you have the right tools to safely work outdoors. Inspect your ladders, extension poles, scrapers and other tools before you begin work to guarantee a safe working environment for yourself and other team members.

5. Timing is everything! 

While summer weather tends to bleed into spring and fall in Northwest Florida, seasonal weather and harsh elements should be considered. April through September prove ideal months for outdoor projects such as painting.