Is Your Home Ready for Summer? Top Exterior Painting Tips for Knoxville Homeowners
Summer in Knoxville means sunshine, backyard barbecues, and... exterior maintenance. If your home’s paint is looking a little worse for wear after a wet winter and unpredictable spring, now’s the perfect time to get it back in shape.
If you’re considering exterior painting this season, here are some essential tips to help Knoxville homeowners get it right the first time.
1. Assess Your Exterior Like a Pro
Before you dive into paint samples or scheduling contractors, start with a detailed walkaround of your home. Look closely at these key areas:
- Paint condition: Check for peeling, blistering, or cracking. These are signs the old paint has broken down and no longer protects the surface beneath.
- Wood surfaces: Examine siding, trim, and soffits for signs of rot, soft spots, or insect damage.
- Caulking: Look at joints around windows, doors, and corner seams. If the caulk is dry, cracked, or pulling away, it needs to be replaced.
- Discoloration: Dark streaks, mildew, or faded patches may indicate moisture problems or sun damage.
2. Timing Matters: Don’t Wait Too Long
We don't need to remind you that summer in East Tennessee brings the heat, but also surprise thunderstorms. Aim to schedule your painting project early in the season for:
- More predictable weather.
- Less moisture in the air (better for paint adhesion).
- Flexible scheduling with your painter (before everyone else calls too!).
If your paint project involves repairs or prep work—like sanding, scraping, or caulking—getting started earlier helps ensure everything cures properly.
3. Don’t Skip the Prep Work
Great exterior painting starts long before the first coat of paint is applied. Proper surface preparation is key to both the look and longevity of the final result. That means giving your home a thorough cleaning (typically with pressure washing) to remove built-up dirt, mildew, and pollen. Once dry, loose or peeling paint should be scraped away, and rough spots sanded smooth.
Other essential prep steps include priming any bare wood or stained areas and caulking gaps around windows, doors, and trim to prevent moisture intrusion. While it might be tempting to skip a few of these steps to save time, doing so often leads to early paint failure, flaking, or the need for touch-ups much sooner than expected. Prep might not be glamorous, but it’s what makes a paint job last.
4. Choose Paints That Can Handle Knoxville Weather
Not all exterior paints are created equal, especially when they’re up against a Knoxville summer. Around here, your paint has to survive a little bit of everything: blazing sun, thick humidity, surprise rainstorms, and the occasional temperature swing that seriously makes you question your weather app’s accuracy.
If you choose the wrong paint, it might look great for a season… then start peeling like a bad sunburn. That’s why it’s important to pick high-quality exterior paints specifically formulated for the Southeast. These paints are designed to resist UV damage (which causes fading), mildew growth (which shows up as dark streaks or spots), and moisture problems that can lead to blistering or peeling.
Acrylic latex paints are a solid go-to, offering flexibility as your home expands and contracts with the weather. And while it might be tempting to grab whatever’s on sale, investing in the right product upfront can save you time, money, and frustration later. After all, nobody wants to repaint the same wall twice in one year—unless you’re into that sort of thing.
5. Think Beyond the Walls
Summer is a great time to paint more than just your siding. Small updates to trim, shutters, or even your front door can have a big visual impact. A bold front door adds personality, while crisp trim and shutters create contrast and polish.
Don’t forget surfaces like porches, railings, fences, and decks, especially the ones that take a beating from sun and foot traffic. Specialty coatings for these areas help protect the material and keep things looking fresh. You don’t need a full repaint to give your home a serious curb appeal boost—sometimes the details make all the difference.
Final Takeaways
A fresh coat of exterior paint is more than just a cosmetic update—it’s a smart investment in your home’s long-term value and durability. If you’ve been thinking about sprucing up your exterior, there’s no better time than summer to get it done right.
Hire a Painter Who Knows Knoxville
Oh, and one more tip before we close: Hire a pro! Painting in our climate takes experience. At McLain’s Painting, we’ve worked on homes throughout Knoxville—from historic bungalows in Fourth and Gill to new builds in Hardin Valley. We understand the quirks of local weather, the best products for our environment, and how to make your home shine all summer long.
Whether you need a full repaint or a few strategic touch-ups, McLain’s Painting is here to help Knoxville homeowners get summer-ready.
