Why November is the best time of year to paint your home
New research has revealed that many people paint their houses in the summer months to ensure that the walls dry quickly and take advantage of the natural light.
However, experts actually recommend carrying out this home renovation task much later in the year, with the winter months providing much better conditions.
A recent survey by paint and wood stain company Ronseal found that 40% of people wait until the summer to paint their spaces, while just 13% prefer to paint during the winter months – unaware that this time will likely yield much better painting results.
"When it comes to painting indoors, the winter months offer the best conditions as they have the lowest levels of humidity – between 40% and 70% is ideal," Jimmy Englezos, paint expert at Ronseal, told Ideal Home.
"When the air is dry, it helps the paint dry faster and prevents moisture from getting trapped underneath. This will result in a smoother finish as the paint has a chance to dry properly."
In short, this means less chance of bubbles, which can be a frustrating issue that's difficult to resolve once the paint has dried.
While the coldest winter months in the UK are typically December, January and February, November tends to see less temperature fluctuations with steadier temperatures. Englezos also noted that while painting should be done in a cooler climate, the paint can thicken and even freeze when the temperature is below 10 degrees.
In November, the temperature is typically milder than the frostier months of December and January in the UK, meaning that you're more likely to hit the sweet spot when it comes to painting conditions.
The paint expert went on to say that the problem with summer heat is that it can actually cause the paint to dry too quickly, leading to problems later on.
"Whereas during high humidity levels in the summer months – the paint can dry too quickly and not adhere well, leading to cracking and peeling," Englezos explained. "The drying time when painting during hotter conditions is also significantly longer compared to cooler temperatures contrary to popular belief."
November is also an ideal time to paint before any hosting that could be happening during the festive season.
Why not freshen up your spaces and give your walls a new lick of paint before the December madness kicks in?
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