When Is The Best Time To Paint Your House In Baton Rouge, LA?

The best time to paint of year in Baton Rouge is early fall–the weather stays cooler during the day and it’s way more enjoyable to be out in the field doing estimates!

What’s not to love about that?

Whether it’s fall, spring, winter, or summer..  you may be thinking that you’ve got a few projects left that you still want to complete before the weather changes–but is it TOO LATE?

Weather plays a big part in our business–it can ultimately make or break our week!  Sometimes it feels like it will never stop raining in Baton Rouge, but we’re lucky enough to still get some great stretches of cool and dry weather throughout the year.

The best thing is that, even in the fall or winter, we can make up for the rainy summer we had, which kept us painting interiors over June and July.  You may be wondering though: What if we get a serious cold front?  Is it still okay to paint when it’s cold or humid?

So what’s the Answer? When is the best time to paint your home in Baton Rouge?

ALL YEAR… but with a few exceptions.

There are basically 3 factors we have to consider no matter the time of year:

1. Temperature

I’m sure you guessed this one.  We use latex paints when performing exterior painting, which cure by allowing the water to evaporate out of the paint over time.

It goes without saying: you can’t paint if it’s below freezing! The water in the paint will freeze, destroying the integrity of the coating.  There is often a couple of weeks a year at least that we can’t paint when the temperature dips below freezing, although that isn’t a very common occurrence in Baton Rouge.

You also wouldn’t want to paint above 100 degrees–that can cause some problems with both the application process and curing as well.  Direct Sun at those temperatures will do produce some very strange effects to latex paint.

2. Humidity and Moisture

This is a big one that we keep an eye on all year, especially since we are technically in a subtropical climate here in Baton Rouge.  The rule of thumb I use is 80% humidity.

Anything above that means the air is so full of moisture, the paint just won’t cure.  It won’t allow the moisture to evaporate!

Painting in those conditions can lead to serious paint failures, such as peeling and bubbles. We must be especially cautious about this when there is a storm or a large cold front that causes high humidity.

3. The Type of Paint

Depending on the quality and make of paint used, different paints have different tolerances for temperature when it comes to curing.

Some brands are only suitable for temperatures as low as 50 degrees (overnight low temperature). In comparison, others are formulated to cure in temperatures as low as 35 degrees and will still cure properly with no failures.

Choose a paint that provides both the performance you need for the season you’re painting in, as well as a great value in terms of longevity and price point.  When working with a professional painting contractor, they should be able to provide you with premium paints at a hefty discount.

So, how can this help me?

If you plan to paint your home or hire a professional to do so, ensure that you or your contractor consider these elements when preparing to paint, especially during the course of the job. Painting in proper weather conditions will ensure the final paint job lasts.

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Have a question about a painting project? Call us at (225) 614-9520 — I’ll guide you through maintaining your home. Or, check below and schedule your estimate today!