How to Refinish a Home Exterior

Whether you're looking to sell or just want to keep your home looking nice, refinishing your home exterior can do a lot for maintaining your property's value. Read on for simple advice on how to give your home a professional-looking finish.

Things You'll Need

• Exterior paint or stain
• 16 penny nails
• Electric or manual hand sander
• Exterior caulk
• Exterior primer
• Nylon paintbrush

Instructions

1. Walk around the outside of your home, giving it a critical inspection. Look especially for warped, damaged or loose boards, popped or missing nails and peeling paint.

2. Decide whether you'll be repainting your home in its existing colors or using new colors. Choose a high-quality exterior paint or stain with a warranty like Sherwin-Williams' Superpaint or Pratt and Lambert's Accolade. If you're having trouble pairing new colors the associates in these stores should be able to help.

3. Replace any warped or damaged boards using 16 penny nails. Re-nail any popped or missing nails.

4. Sand peeling paint using a small electric or manual hand sander. This will make your new paint job look at lot more smooth and professional.

5. Use caulk to seal around windows. With properly sealed windows you should notice a savings in your heating and cooling bills.

6. Prime your home with a specially formulated exterior primer. Primers seal porous surfaces and level uneven areas to give your final coat a more uniform look. Choose a high-quality 3" to 4" paintbrush with nylon bristles.

7. Paint your home. Dip your paintbrush two or three inches into the paint. Tap your brush on the side of the paint can to shake off any excess paint. Paint, using broad, steady strokes with your paintbrush.

Resources

• Sherwin-Williams
• Pratt and Lambert