A house on the shore of Skaha Lake gets weather from more than one direction. There is sun reflecting up off the water, wind that comes across it, and the usual swing between hot afternoons and cold nights. Siding, trim and fascia take that punishment season after season, and the paint is the only thing standing between the weather and the wood or board underneath.

We repaint the outside of houses and cottages in Kaleden from the first wash to the final walk-around. The work is mostly preparation, since paint only lasts as long as the surface under it, and our written quote spells out what we will scrape, caulk, prime and coat on each elevation.

What the exterior package includes

Pressure or hand washing to remove dirt, chalky residue and mildew from the walls
Scraping and sanding of every flaking or bubbled area back to a sound edge
Replacing failed caulk around windows, doors and trim joints
Priming bare wood, rusted fasteners and patched spots so the topcoat grips
Two finish coats on siding, with trim, fascia, soffits and doors done in a suitable trim paint
Masking of windows, fixtures and plantings, then cleanup of chips and drop sheets

Reading the weather and the wall

On a lakefront or lake-view lot, the side of the house that faces the water often ages faster than the rest. You can see it in faded colour, dry-looking boards and paint that has begun to lift at the corners. We walk all four sides during the quote and tell you honestly if one wall needs more work than the others, instead of averaging it out and hoping.

Timing is the other local factor. Exterior latex generally should not go on below about 10 C, and the wall temperature matters as well as the air, so we check the product data sheet rather than trusting the forecast. In practice that points to late spring through early fall for Kaleden exteriors, and it is smart to book before the warm weeks fill up.

How an exterior job unfolds

Check all four sides. We walk the property, probe suspect wood and note anything that needs a carpenter before painting, then quote the work in writing.
Wash and scrape. The walls are cleaned and every loose bit of old paint is removed, so the new coat is not sitting on something that is already letting go.
Caulk, patch and prime. Gaps are sealed, damaged spots repaired and bare surfaces primed. This stage takes longer than the painting itself, and it is the part that decides how long the finish lasts.
Coat and inspect. We apply the finish coats when conditions allow, then walk around the house with you in daylight and touch up before we clear the site.

The full process, prep and pricing factors are on our main exterior painting page.

Exterior Painting in Kaleden: questions

How do you protect the garden and decking around the house?

We cover shrubs and beds with breathable sheets, lay drop cloths along walkways and decks, and ask you to move planters and furniture away from the walls before we arrive.

Do you paint over mildew or just clean it first?

We clean it first. Painting over mildew lets it come back through, so the walls are washed and allowed to dry before anything goes on.

My cottage was built decades ago. Is there anything special?

Possibly. Lead paint is probable in homes built before 1960 and possible from 1960 to 1990 according to Health Canada, so we ask the age of the building and plan testing before any scraping starts.

Other painting services in Kaleden

Exterior Painting in nearby towns

If your Kaleden exterior is due, request a free written quote and we will set out the prep and coats for every wall.

Request your free written quote or call (778) 760-0346.

More about exterior painting and Kaleden

Have a question first? Read the FAQ, learn about Alto Pro Painters or contact us.

Further reading: Kaleden on Wikipedia and Siding on Wikipedia.

Watch: exterior painting in action

Exterior siding painting preparation, by Okeefe Painting on YouTube.