Paint like a pro: Five ways to update your home’s exterior (without painting the walls)

If you want to freshen up your home’s exterior without the hassle of repainting your walls, there are a few smaller projects you can do instead. Read on to discover exterior painting projects you can take on to give your home a fresh, new look.

Paint your front door

Your front door is a real focal point and sets the tone for the rest of your home. Painting it can have a major impact on the overall look of your exterior while requiring relatively little DIY effort and cost. Whether you choose to make a statement with a bright sunshine yellow or go for a classic black, navy or red, we always recommend taking home a tester. Once you’ve found that perfect colour, select your desired finish and away you go!

Top tip: If you are stuck for colour inspiration, why not take a stroll around your neighbourhood and see how the front doors of similar houses have been painted?

Freshen up uPVC window frames

Painting your windows can be a relatively cost-effective way of freshening up your home. With the right products and know-how, this also applies to uPVC, PVC and Aluclad frames. If your uPVC windows feel a bit dated or are looking a little worse for wear, a simple lick of paint can do wonders.

Top tip: Lightly sand the surface in between coats. Not only will this prevent drips, but it will also lead to a more professional and hardwearing finish.

Clean up your exterior masonry windowsill

After years of exposure to the Irish rain and sun, your windowsills may become dirty, mouldy and blackened. You may also find that the paintwork has cracked and peeled. To restore your windows to their former glory, start by washing them down with Farbex Exterior Fungicidal Wash to remove any dirt and mould on the windowsill. Once dry, scrape away any old, flaking paint. If a primer is needed, you can apply Farbex Alkali-Resisting Paint. It’s important to use a good-quality exterior masonry paint such as Dulux Weathershield on your windowsills to protect them from the elements.

Repaint your fascia & soffit

Repainting your weathered-looking fascia and soffit can give your home an instant facelift. Fascias are the trim boards at the top of the exterior walls of a house, and the soffit refers to their underside. We have seen major transformations from a dull weather-worn white to crisp white, classic black, or the increasingly popular anthracite grey (Ral 7016 ).

Top tip: If working with a wooden fascia and soffit, be sure to replace any rotten boards before painting.

Learn more

You can find more detailed exterior painting how-to guides on our website, www.mcdonnellpaints.ie

Inspired? Pop in-store or phone us on 091 380 640 to get expert advice specific to your decking. Fast and free delivery on all orders. Shop all products online at www.mcdonnellpaints.ie

 

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