If you’ve finally decided to repaint your home’s exterior, you’re probably excited to manifest your vision and kick off an exciting transformation of your house. That said, you might have questions before getting started, mainly concerning the painting itself – after all, it’s not always obvious just how many coats of paint you’ll need. Continue reading to learn a little more about exterior painting and why opting for two coats of paint will set your project up for resounding success!
How Many Coats of Exterior Paint Do I Need?
When it comes to exterior painting, two coats are often enough to ensure complete coverage, though there are some exceptions. For instance, if you’re adding a fresh coat of paint over the same color, you can often get away with needing just a single coat. A primer can also sometimes help to reduce the number of paint coats you’ll need, and in some scenarios, you might only need one coat of a 2-in-1 primer/paint combination.
Another exception to the two-coat rule is for particularly smooth exterior surface materials, like aluminum and vinyl siding. It’s often simpler to achieve even coverage on these surfaces using just one single coat. Homes made from rough, porous materials like stucco, wood, brick, stone, etc. often require a second coat for even coverage.
It’s worth mentioning that using too many coats of paint can be problematic; too many coats layered on top of one another can add extra weight to your home’s siding, decreasing the overall lifespan of your finish. Not to mention, too much paint can also result in ridges and lumps, and adding extra coats will not slow or prevent the peeling process when moisture is involved.
Quality is far more important than quantity; choosing a well-known brand and sticking to two coats will prove the most promising for your exterior paint project.
Why Is a Second Coat So Important?
Applying a second coat of paint offers all kinds of unique benefits that make it worth the time and money investment. Here are some advantages:
- Applying a second coat of paint leads to richer color and hides any errors made during the first round of painting.
- Paint typically adheres better on the second coat if the surface is properly prepped, dried, and smoothed.
- It’s cost-effective in the sense that it’ll help your paint last much longer – meaning you won’t have to repaint as often.
If you’re still unsure about your paint project and have doubts about how many coats you’ll need, you shouldn’t hesitate to consult with a team of painters. They’ll know with certainty what type of paint is needed and how much is required, and from there, they can ensure your home’s exterior is getting the even coverage it deserves!
About Platinum Painting
Here at Platinum Painting of Dallas, we’ve spent the last 15 years assisting homeowners in DFW with a wide variety of interior and exterior painting projects, and we’d be more than happy to help you realize your design goals and transform your home. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up a FREE in-home estimate, please visit us online or call today for further information. Telephone: (214) 347-7269.