Whether you’re getting ready to sell or just want to update your home’s exterior, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your curb appeal. Plus, it’s one of the least expensive and most efficient upgrades you can do for your house.

But before you get started, make sure to assess your house’s surroundings and access all surfaces safely. That includes cutting back limbs and bushes to provide ladder access.

1. Paint the Front Door

Painting your home’s front door is an inexpensive and easy way to update the exterior. This project can be completed in just a few hours and will immediately improve the curb appeal of your property.

Choosing the right color for your front door is essential to getting a great result. You can use a variety of methods to find the perfect shade for your door, including taping paint chips to the existing color or visiting a local home decor store.

Once you’ve narrowed down your selections, test out the different colors in a dark and light environment to see which one you like best. You can also experiment by placing different color swatches next to each other for comparison.

You’ll want to choose a paint that will stand up to the elements and last for years. A good paint for this job will be water-based and have a satin or semi-gloss finish.

Before you begin painting your front door, make sure that all hardware is removed. This includes any locks, door knobs, levers, latches, and hooks.

Then, prepare the door for painting by sanding it down to remove any loose or old paint and clean it. You can buy degreasing cleaner for this step or simply wash the door with diluted detergent to get rid of any grime and dirt.

If your door is bare wood, you’ll need to start with a primer. These can be purchased at any good DIY retailer and will ensure that your paint will cover evenly and resist fading.

Your door will need a few coats of paint to completely cover. The drying time will depend on the type of paint you’re using, so be patient and check the tin to find out how long you should leave between coats.

2. Paint the Trim

Painting your trim is an inexpensive and easy way to refresh the appearance of your home. Paint can help you create a more modern or traditional look, depending on what color you choose.

First, check to see if any areas of your home’s exterior trim need repairs. If there are dents, cracks, or wood stains, fill them with caulk and let dry. Also look for loose, flaking paint that can be removed.

Next, clean the trim to remove any dirt and grime. Wash it with a mild bleach and water solution or a TSP (trisodium phosphate) product for tougher stains.

Ideally, paint should adhere to your trim without peeling or chipping off. You also want it to be flexible and durable, so it can withstand weather changes over time.

For this step, pour a small amount of mixed primer into a paint tray and dip no more than an inch of your angled brush into it. Apply primer to any areas where you filled or sanded the trim, as well as to any knots or resin pockets.

After it dries, lightly sand any brush strokes with 120-grit sandpaper. This will help your finished paint job look smoother and more uniform.

To avoid brush marks, begin each stroke of the brush on a dry area and work toward wet areas. You can also feather the edge of the brush into a previously painted patch to keep the paint even and smooth from one stroke to the next.

After your trim has dried, apply painters tape to the surrounding walls to prevent bleed-through. This step is especially helpful if you’ll be painting the trim a darker color than the wall it’s against.

3. Paint the Gutters

Your gutters may not be the most noticeable feature of your home, but they are a critical part of maintaining your roofline. Painting your gutters can help boost their appearance and the value of your house.

You can choose to paint your gutters any color that suits your taste and complements your home’s style. Classic white is a popular choice, but you can also go for gray or brown.

Before you begin painting your gutters, it’s important to make sure they are clean and free of dirt and debris. This can be done by hosing them inside and out to remove any leaves and other debris. If you do not have access to a pressure washer, use a sponge and a bristled scrub brush to clean them thoroughly.

After you’ve gotten them clean, prepare them for painting by applying primer to them. Priming your gutters will give them a smooth surface that paint will adhere to and will help ensure the paint lasts longer on them.

Once the primer has dried, you can start painting the gutters. Choose an oil-based high-gloss enamel and apply two coats of it. This will help maintain a smooth surface that allows water to flow through your gutters quickly and efficiently.

You can paint your gutters using either a sprayer or a paintbrush. Both options are viable for achieving the best results, but spraying may be more time-consuming, since you’ll need to protect the rest of your home from excess paint with tape and tarps.

4. Paint the Siding

Painting the siding of your home can be a great way to update its appearance. It can give your house a fresh new look that will make it look more appealing to prospective buyers or appraisers, and it can help your home earn extra points when it comes time to sell.

However, before you start painting, make sure your siding is in good condition. If it has cracks, dents or holes, you might want to consider replacing it instead of repainting it.

In addition, you need to know what type of paint you want to use for your siding. Some types of paints don’t absorb well, while others might not stick properly to your siding.

The best type of paint to use on vinyl siding is acrylic exterior paint. This is a type of paint that is made with urethane and acrylic resins, and it’s designed to be durable and adhere to the vinyl easily.

Some brands of paint also offer vinyl-safe colors, which are designed specifically for vinyl. These can be found at many home improvement stores.

Before you paint, clean the siding thoroughly to get rid of all of the dirt and grime. If you don’t, the paint will peel off or become discolored.

Next, prime the siding to ensure that the new color will cling to it evenly. This is an important step, as it makes the siding look smooth and can help it last longer.

Once the primer has dried, you can start painting. You can do this by using a paint sprayer or by hand, but a paint brush can be more effective for small areas. For a detailed service, the Old Charleston Painting Company is the best option for a professional paint job.

You should start painting in the mornings, when it’s coolest and the weather is calmest. If the weather is too hot, the paint will fail to cling to the surface and will dry unevenly.

5. Paint the Windows

Paint is a cost-effective and easy way to update your home’s exterior. You can use it to give your home a fresh look, or to add color and texture to an older house.

Painting your windows can be a fun project for the entire family. You can create whimsical, festive pictures using tempera paints or acrylic craft paints.

Tempera is a type of fast-drying paint that uses colored pigments mixed with a binder medium. The end result is often translucent, which is a nice feature when trying to create a winter scene or holiday theme for your windows.

The paint is also very long-lasting, making it a great option for creating temporary window illustrations. However, you should be aware that the paint is relatively easy to scrape off once it has dried.

For the most durable, lasting results, you’ll want to choose a paint that is designed for exterior use. This includes latex gloss paint that is rated for outdoor exposure.

You can also select a paint that is waterproof and stain-resistant. This will help to protect your windows from stains and keep them looking their best.

Regardless of the type of paint you choose, it’s important to prep the surface before you begin painting. This includes sanding down any rough edges or peeling paint, and priming the trim (and frame or grilles if you’re painting them) to ensure it will hold the new coat of paint.

For a beautiful, smooth finish on your trim and frame, sand them thoroughly with fine-grit sandpaper before you apply the primer. This will prevent any sanding dust from causing a scratchy finish on your windows.