When Is It Too Cold to Paint Outside?

Are you looking to update the exterior of your home or business, but concerned that it’s too cold to hire painters? You’ve probably heard that it’s important to not paint outside in cold weather, but how cold is too cold? The answer will primarily depend on the type of paint your contractor is planning to use.

Latex Paint

No matter what type of paint you’re using, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s specific instructions. With that being said, latex paint should generally be used outside only when it’s between 50° F and 85° F. Because latex paint contains water, it’s vulnerable to freezing at lower temperatures. Plus, if it’s too cold, the paint likely won’t cure properly, possibly leading to issues such as bubbling, cracking, peeling, and inconsistent coloring.

Oil-Based Paint

With oil-based paint, you’ll have a little more wiggle room. Oil paint generally should be used only when temperatures are between 40° F and 90° F. If it’s colder than 40° F, then you run the risk of the paint becoming thicker and more difficult to evenly apply. Oil paint is also susceptible to the curing problems listed above.

Other Concerns

In addition to the temperature, you’ll also want to pay attention to the humidity and wind conditions. Industry professionals typically consider 40% to 70% humidity to be ideal. And because wind can cause paint to dry too quickly, it’s important to plan for a day when the forecast calls for few or no gusts.

Learn More

Want to know if it’s warm enough to schedule a painting job in your area? If you’re in Florida, Georgia, or Texas, you can turn to the experts at Southern Painting. We’re a full-service interior and exterior painting company that’s painted over 100,000 homes since 1989.

Contact Southern Painting today to request a free in-home consultation. We’ll put you in touch with a location near you.