The outside of a house takes the weather every day of the year. Sun fades colour, rain and frost get into cracks, and mildew settles on shaded walls. Exterior painting is the job of washing all of that off, repairing what has started to fail and putting a fresh coat on so the surface is protected again, not just good looking for a season.

We paint exteriors for homeowners, townhome owners, strata groups and small commercial properties across the South Okanagan. If your paint is chalking when you rub it, lifting at the edges, or showing bare wood around windows and doors, it is time to have someone look at it. A fresh coat painted over a surface that was never properly washed and repaired will fail early, so we plan the prep first and the paint second.

What our exterior painting covers

Stucco, brick, wood siding, vinyl and aluminum siding, cedar shingles and composite siding
Fascia, soffits, eavestroughs and trim boards
Window frames, door frames, front doors and garage doors
Decks, railings, patios and porches
Washing and mildew removal before any paint goes on
Filling holes and cracks, scraping and sanding failed paint
Caulking around windows and doors when it is part of the scope
Colour consultation so the body, trim and door colours work together

How an exterior paint job goes

Free written quote. We look at the walls, trim and any decks or railings, ask about the age of the home, and send a written quote listing the surfaces, the prep, the paint and the timeline.
Pre-job call. Before the start date we call to confirm colours and details and answer your questions. We also ask you to move patio furniture and potted plants away from the walls.
Cover and wash. On the first day we cover plants, shrubs and decks, then wash the surfaces and treat any mildew or mould so paint has something clean to grip.
Repair and prime. Holes and cracks are filled, loose paint is scraped, rough areas are sanded and bare wood or patched spots are primed. Caulking goes in where the quote calls for it.
Paint and walk through. Walls, trim and doors are painted, then we walk the finished house with you while the paint is fresh, touch up what needs it and clean up after you sign off.

Prep is most of an exterior job

Peeling and cracking on an outside wall almost always trace back to what was done, or skipped, before the first coat. On many houses the washing, scraping and repairs take longer than the painting, and that time is what decides whether the finish lasts.

Power washing to lift dirt, chalky residue and mildew, then letting the wall dry before paint goes on
Scraping and sanding any paint that is flaking so the new coat is not sitting on a loose layer
Checking wood for soft or rotted sections and flagging boards that need replacing before they are painted over
Filling holes, hairline cracks and gaps in siding or stucco so water has fewer places to get in
Priming bare wood, stains and patched areas so the topcoat dries evenly
Covering plants, windows, walkways and decks so the surrounding property stays clean

Choosing exterior paint, finish and colour

Exterior paint is made to flex with changes in temperature and to resist mildew and fading, so interior paint is not a substitute. Different surfaces want different products: masonry and stucco usually call for a breathable coating, bare wood needs a primer that seals it, and metal such as aluminum siding or eavestroughs needs a primer made to bond with it. We match the product type to each surface and list it in the quote.

Finish works a little differently outside. A flat or low-sheen finish on the main walls hides surface flaws and gives a soft look, while satin or semi-gloss on trim, doors and railings sheds dirt and wipes clean more easily. Colour is often the hardest decision, so we are happy to sit down with you and talk it through, including how the body colour will sit beside the roof, the trim and the front door. Looking at a sample on the wall in morning and evening light is worth the extra day.

What affects the price of exterior painting

Every house is different, so we do not publish fixed prices. Your written quote spells out each of these, so you can see where the cost comes from before you agree to anything.

The size of the house, the number of storeys and how much of it needs ladders or lifts
The siding material, since stucco, wood, vinyl and brick take different prep and different products
The condition of the existing paint and how much scraping, sanding and repair it needs
The amount of trim, fascia, windows, doors, railings and decks included in the job
Washing, mildew treatment and caulking requirements
Colour changes, the number of coats and the product you choose

Was your home built before 1990?

Health Canada says lead paint is probable in homes built before 1960 and possible in homes built from 1960 to 1990. Exterior jobs involve scraping and sanding, so tell us the age of your home when you ask for a quote and we will plan testing and the right precautions before any old paint is disturbed.

Common mistakes with exterior painting

Painting over dirt or mildew. Paint cannot stick to a dusty or damp wall, so we wash first and let the surface dry before we start.
Painting in the wrong weather. Exterior latex generally should not go on below about 10 C, and wet or very hot walls can ruin the finish, so we check the product data sheet and the forecast and move days if we have to.
Painting over rot. New paint hides soft wood for a season, then it fails, so we flag boards that need repair before they get coated.
Skipping primer on bare wood or patches. The topcoat soaks in unevenly and shows up as dull or blotchy spots, so patched and bare areas are always primed.
Rushing recoat times. A second coat applied too soon can trap moisture and blister, so we follow the drying times on the can.

Exterior Painting by town

We offer exterior painting in twelve Okanagan communities. Choose your town:

Exterior Painting questions

When is the right time of year to paint the outside of a house?

You want dry weather and temperatures that the paint can handle, which for most exterior latex means staying above about 10 C, including at night while it cures. Check the data sheet for the product in your quote. We book exterior work around the weather and tell you plainly if a day has to move.

Do you wash the house before painting?

Yes. Washing is part of the prep on nearly every exterior job. We remove dirt, chalking and mildew, then let the walls dry before repairs and paint.

Can you paint stucco?

Yes. Stucco needs the cracks filled, any loose material dealt with and a coating that suits masonry. We look at the condition of the stucco on the quote visit and list the prep and product in writing.

Do I need to be home while you work?

Not for the whole job. We go over everything on the pre-job call, ask you to move patio furniture and potted plants, and do a walkthrough with you at the end.

How long does an exterior job take?

It depends on the size of the house, the amount of prep and the weather. Prep alone can take several days on a house with a lot of scraping. Your written quote includes a timeline, and we update you if rain changes the schedule.

Is the quote really free?

Yes. It is free and in writing, and it lists the surfaces, the prep, the paint and the timeline before any work begins.

If the outside of your home is peeling, fading or just overdue, we will go through it with you and put the whole plan on paper. Request a free written quote and we will take it from there.

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

Guides for exterior painting

Curious how a job runs from the first call to the final walkthrough? Read how our painting process works.

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

Further reading: Latex paint on Wikipedia and Siding on Wikipedia.

Watch: exterior painting in action

Exterior siding painting preparation, by Okeefe Painting on YouTube.

Exterior Painting in Penticton and the Okanagan