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Metal galvanized steel siding is not a common residential building material and is used more often on sheds, barns and commercial buildings. Although very durable, it can rust, despite being...
Aluminum was a common exterior siding and door material during the mid-1900s. Typically sold in a range of factory-finished paints, it was inexpensive and very durable. Over time, the paint...
Painting a two- or three-story home can be challenging if you're not used to working with heights and from ladders. To paint a second-floor exterior, you'll need at least a 24-foot extension...
Sealing outdoor features such as decks, patios, pathways and fences is essential to prolonging the life of the items. Wood quickly degrades when exposed to the weather and patios are subject to...
Exterior windows need to be kept in good condition, not only to keep the exterior of your house looking sharp, but to keep the edges sealed and energy-efficient. Window sash, sill and trim are...
If your concrete patio, walkway or driveway is looking a little worse for wear, adding a coat of paint can make it look brand new. Painting concrete is much cheaper than replacing it, and you can...
When choosing exterior paint colors for your home, you should consider all the architectural features. This includes brickwork and masonry, wood decks and one element many people forget--the roof....
Baking soda blasting is a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to sand blasting paint off of a building or object. Sand can damage buildings and sculptures, while baking soda is soft and...
When you first painted that deck it looked great. Now, years after the job, the paint is weathered and peeling. Perhaps you are contemplating replacing the deck. Maybe you are about to call a...
Wooden shingles can provide a beautiful, sophisticated look to the outside of your home. These shingles can be difficult to care for, however, because they are constantly exposed to the elements....
After years of weathering, a metal building can begin to look very worn and tarnished. But metal can't be re-painted quickly with some paint you have laying around. Metal needs preparation and the...
Most exterior surfaces need two coats of paint over the primer or existing paint to be optimally durable, even if it looks fine with just one coat. To apply a second coat of paint, it's important...
Choosing exterior paint can be intimidating because it's out there for the entire neighborhood to see. By taking a methodical, step-by-step approach to choosing colors, and remembering to test...
When guests walk up to your home, the first thing they see is your front door. A worn out, dirty and dingy door is the first impression you are giving to anyone who knocks. Refinishing your...
The right exterior primer can affect the looks and durability of the paint job. Selecting the wrong primer, or skipping primer completely, can lead to early paint failure, stains coming through...
It's possible to paint an exterior all winter long--if you live in Florida. While painting exteriors in winter time gets impossible when the snow is falling and temperatures dip below freezing,...
Before painting the exterior of your home, the surfaces need to be dry and clean. This means removing mold, dirt and loose paint. Mold can be tricky to spot. It can be difficult to distinguish...
Many exterior cellar doors are horizontal, like trap doors into your cellar, crawl space or basement. Since horizontal surfaces are especially vulnerable to full sun and sometimes standing water...
Repainting your home's exterior is a great way to add some extra curb appeal. If you plan on reselling your home, repainting is a way to draw in potential buyers. Along those lines, don't overlook...
Cedar wood looks beautiful, but needs regular maintenance. Mildew and dirt can ruin the surface of cedar wood on outside surfaces. Many commercial stains and sealants are available, but nothing...
Metal gutters are a wonderful addition to any home. However, if you have older metal gutters, you may have noticed that they need a good paint job. Follow these few simple steps to get started....
If you're using spray chemicals such as paint, epoxy or clear coat, you may find that some overspray gets on surrounding items, including your goggles. Getting these durable chemicals off the...
Proper maintenance of your home includes your deck. All too often neglected, the condition of your deck is reflected in how it adds to the value of your home. Hiring professionals to clean and...
Few things make the exterior of a home look more shabby than peeling paint. However, this can pose quite a dilemma for homeowners who cannot afford a complete exterior paint job. Luckily, there...
It's easy to choose an exterior trim paint color that looks attractive. Dark brown with a beige house, white trim on a sage green house--easy, right? Instead of choosing exterior trim paint colors...
Any painter will tell you that it isn't the painting that is time consuming, it is the preparation. In order for paint to adhere to wood, it must have a clean, smooth surface. This means you must...
Stained wood siding can be painted over either with exterior water-based 100 percent acrylic paint, or latex or oil-based solid stain, or some oil-based paints. Your choice will depend on the type...
Weather and foot traffic will take a heavy toll on the surface of a porch, so staining the surface can restore its appearance. Refinishing a porch requires preparation. Avoiding proper preparation...
The fastest way to paint the exterior of a house is to spray it, and an experienced painter can spray a prepared, masked, two-story house in a few hours. The right equipment helps--use a...
With almost limitless options for paint colors, it can feel overwhelming trying to pick an exterior paint color combination for your home. Color can affect the appearance and curb appeal of your...
Stain cedar lumber to protect it from fading in sunlight and from moisture erosion. Western red cedar has beautiful colors at all stages of fading, but the wood deteriorates if it's not protected...
There are several types of paint available on the market. Those paints include latex, acrylic latex, oil based, lacquer, epoxy and high heat. These types of paints are also available in exterior...
Most outdoor vinyl shutters are paintable, and painting them is often more economical than replacing them. Vinyl shutters tend to be quite durable, but can fade in sunlight, especially if they are...
Repainting an exterior door correctly has a positive effect on your home's curb appeal. Taking the time to do it well is worth the effort. Everything from choosing the right finish and color for...
Add new life to the exterior of your home by giving your shutters a brand new coat of paint. The result will be a cleaner, neater look with minimal effort. Once you realize how much nicer your...
Because it spends almost all its time outdoors, metal patio furniture is susceptible to the ravages of rust and corrosion. Regular maintenance and painting will solve most issues related to rust,...
Spraying the exterior of a house is the fastest way to paint it. Once everything is prepared and masked, a professional painter can spray an average two-story house in as little as four hours....
Paint is the barrier that protects your metal door from the elements. Water causes metal to oxidize. Metal oxidation (rust) will break down the metal door's surface and cause irreparable damage to...
Water-based acrylic latex paints and oil-based enamels, also called alkyds, offer a host of advantages and drawbacks on houses and other exterior surfaces. Whichever you choose, quality paints are...
Prefabricated aluminum storage sheds are common in backyards throughout the country. Aluminum storage sheds come from the factory finished in various colors, but over time the factory finish can...
Exterior paint, particularly if it's being used on a front door, needs to be both durable and attractive. Sheens run from flat to semi- and high-gloss. Flat paint may be suitable for a garage...
As any homeowner will tell you, an attractive, well maintained home requires constant attention to look its best, and aluminum gutters are no different. Even though new gutters will last for many...
A new coat of paint on front porch posts and railings can freshen the look of the whole house. Paint the porch white or with an accent color. Before you paint porch posts and railings, take the...
Brick homes are a staple of modern and classic construction. If you are looking to update your home, or to give the exterior a face-lift, painting may be the perfect option for you. Painting your...
Painting your front entry door is a great way to spruce up your front entrance. Add curb appeal to your home and make a great first impression with a new paint job. While painting your door is not...
Painting a brick exterior on a house can be a time consuming job, but the results are often worth the effort. Some people adamantly feel that exterior brick should not be painted with house paint,...
If you are planning on sanding your house siding prior to painting, there are some things that you should know about tools and techniques before you begin. Because paint can be toxic, you should...
Wood decks require staining every one to three years to maintain their beauty and withstand the elements. The best time to stain a deck is immediately after it is built and then in the spring....
The beauty of natural stains on wood, hardwood or cement fiber siding is only matched by their durability. Preparing the siding for staining is as important as choosing the right color. Inspect...
Outside house paints come in two basic types, alkyd and latex. Deciding which outside house paint to use should depend on weather conditions, home location and personal preference.