During the sweltering days of summer, painting your roof white seems like a fantastic idea. The idea is to make your roof more reflective so that it doesn't absorb as much heat, which will keep your house cooler--and likely lower your energy bills, too.
If you aren't due for a new roof, you can consider painting your shingles. Yet before you take the plunge, here are a few things to consider.
*Roofing type: If you have a composite or asphalt shingle roof (as most people do), you'll be able to paint it. Clay, concrete and metal may be more difficult to paint, so you might want to consult a local roofing expert before proceeding with your project.
*Budget: Roofing paint isn't cheap. It averages $35/gallon, and you'll need a lot. Measure your roof to help decide how much paint you'll need. And keep in mind that your roof will require two coats of paint, so you may want to double your initial price to ensure you have enough paint. You'll find that roofing paint has a limited availability, and you'll likely need to order by mail, which means you should factor shipping costs into your price, too.
One of the reasons that paint is so great is because it can instantly change the look of anything. And you don't need to go crazy on your entire house to make a big visual impact.
Take your front door, for example. If you love vivid hues but don't want to turn your home's exterior into an eyesore, you can paint your front door. Plus, it's much easier to repaint a door than it is your home, so you can easily swap out colors depending on your mood.
While driving around in Kansas City a few days ago, I pulled over so that my partner-in-crime could snap the photo shown above. The home is located in one of the city's traditional, established neighborhoods, and I loved the contrast of the orange against the more classic exterior. I'd wager that the homeowners not only love color--they have great personalities, too.
Painting the outside of your home can be as much fun as trying a new color in your home's interior. Yet because the weather is such a huge factor when you're painting outside, you may only have a limited window in which to complete your project.
If you're planning an exterior paint job, opt for May. For the vast majority of the U.S., May brings mild temperatures and less rain than its springy predecessor, April, without also introducing summer's soaring humidity that will make it nearly impossible for your paint to dry.
So if you're thinking about painting outdoors, now is the time to do it! A couple other tips?
1. Prep your surface. Whether you're tackling a door, shutters, trim or your whole house, make sure your surface is properly prepped. Give it a good washing with a hose (or, better yet, a pressure washer. And it's a good idea to use primer, too, to better help the paint adhere to the surface. Primer also helps if you're switching from a bright hue like a red or green to something more neutral.
The great thing about paint is that it not only adds a fresh look and burst of color to the inside of your home, but it's ideal for your home's exterior, too. If you're interested in changing the look of your home's exterior but aren't sure where to start, consider painting your garage door for an instant update and an added boost of curb appeal.
Picking A Color
As with any paint project, you'll want to start by selecting a color for your garage door. If you've thought about painting your front door (or already have), keep the same sort of color guidelines in mind. Sure, you could opt for a bright, lively color, but don't stray too far from your home's existing palette--and keep the aesthetic of your neighborhood in mind, too, if applicable.
Green, red or a glossy black are all ideal hues. Or you could opt for a crisp white, or something else in a neutral shade. Various shades of blue could work well, too, as long as you steer clear of any Smurf-inspired hues!
