Exterior paint in the Washington area has to handle a lot: long humid summers, sudden downpours, and winters that swing above and below freezing dozens of times. Water gets into any open joint, freezes, and pushes paint off the wood. That is why most exterior failures we see in Bethesda, Silver Spring and across DC are prep failures, not paint failures.
Every exterior starts with a cleaning, usually a low-pressure soft wash from our pressure washing crew, followed by scraping, sanding, caulking and priming bare wood. Soft or rotted trim is replaced before paint, not painted over, through our trim carpentry and wood rot repair work. If you have a deck, fence or porch that needs attention too, we can schedule deck and fence staining in the same visit.
What we paint outside
Wood and fiber-cement siding
Clapboard, cedar shake and HardiePlank, scraped and spot-primed where bare.
Trim, fascia and soffits
The parts that fail first. Caulked at every joint and finished in a durable satin or semi-gloss.
Brick and masonry
Previously painted brick repainted with breathable masonry coatings. Limewash where it suits the house.
Doors, shutters and railings
Front doors finished to a smooth enamel; iron railings wire-brushed and primed with rust-inhibiting primer.
Stucco
Hairline cracks filled with elastomeric patch and coated with a product that flexes with the wall.
Window glazing and caulking
Failed glazing putty and open joints sealed so water stays out of the wood.
Local insight: exterior painting around Washington
The season runs April to October, with limits
Most exterior latex products need air and surface temperatures above 35 to 50°F depending on the product, and the surface should stay at least 5°F above the dew point while the paint dries. Fall mornings here bring heavy dew, so in October we start later, stop earlier, and skip shaded walls that stay wet until noon.
Unpainted brick in a historic district needs a permit
Montgomery County does not review paint colors, even in historic districts like Kensington, Takoma Park and Chevy Chase Village. Painting brick or stone that has never been painted is different: on a designated property it requires a Historic Area Work Permit first. In DC, painting unpainted masonry on a historic landmark also needs review. We check before we quote.
North and south walls fail in different ways
Under the mature tree canopy in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, north-facing walls stay damp and grow mildew and algae. South and west walls fade and chalk from sun. We treat mildew with a cleaner before painting, add mildewcide where needed, and choose colors and sheens knowing which walls take the most sun.
How an exterior repaint runs
Inspection
We probe trim for rot, check moisture, and note failing caulk and glazing in the estimate.
Wash and dry
Soft wash to remove dirt and mildew, then enough dry weather for the wood to come down in moisture.
Scrape, repair and prime
Loose paint removed, rot repaired, joints caulked, and every bare spot primed.
Two finish coats
Applied in suitable temperatures, following the shade around the house through the day.
Walkthrough and cleanup
Paint chips collected, plants uncovered, and a final walk around the house with you.
Exterior painting questions
When is the best time to paint a house exterior in Maryland?
Late April through June and September through mid-October give the most reliable temperatures and lower humidity. Summer works too, but we plan around the sun so we are not painting walls in direct midday heat.
How long does exterior paint last here?
With proper prep, a quality acrylic on wood siding commonly lasts 7 to 10 years. South- and west-facing walls and horizontal surfaces like railings wear faster. Fiber-cement siding usually holds paint longer than wood.
Do I need HOA approval to change my exterior color?
In most townhouse and planned communities, yes. Communities in Gaithersburg, Germantown and Columbia commonly require architectural approval. Bring us the approved colors, or we can supply painted samples for your application.
Can you paint or limewash my brick house?
Usually, yes, using breathable masonry products. If the brick has never been painted and the house is in a historic district or is a designated landmark, a permit review is required first. We will tell you before you commit.