Exterior paintingBuilt for Michigan weather.
Humid summers, wind off the lake and freeze–thaw winters are hard on paint. A lasting exterior comes down to three things: thorough preparation, the right product for each surface, and painting in the right conditions.
What we paint
The whole envelope, done right.
Every exterior surface has its own needs. Here’s what an exterior project can include.
Siding
Clapboard, shingle and other paintable siding — washed, scraped and prepared so the new finish bonds.
Trim, fascia & soffits
The lines that define the house, painted crisp and sealed against weather.
Windows & sashes
Careful work around glass and glazing, so old wood windows are protected without being painted shut.
Doors & shutters
The front door is where a scheme gets its personality — finished to be looked at up close.
Porches, columns & railings
High-wear, high-detail surfaces that need patient prep and a durable finish.
Garage doors
Panels, trim and frames painted to match — or to anchor — the rest of the scheme.
Preparation
Prep that holds up.
Most exterior paint failures — peeling, blistering, early fading — trace back to what happened before the paint went on. This is the part of the job that decides how long the finish lasts.
- Wash. Dirt, chalking and mildew removed, and the surface given time to dry.
- Scrape. Loose and failing paint taken off — down to a sound surface.
- Sand & feather. Edges smoothed so old paint lines don’t telegraph through the new coat.
- Repair & fill. Small defects filled; larger rot flagged honestly as carpentry.
- Caulk. Trim joints and gaps around windows and doors sealed against water.
- Prime. Bare wood and problem areas primed with the right product before finish coats.
Timing
Painting in the right conditions.
In Michigan, when you paint matters as much as how. These are the conditions that decide whether exterior paint cures properly.
Air and surface
Every product has a minimum temperature — and it applies to the wall and the overnight low, not just the afternoon air.
Dew and rain
Start after the morning dew burns off, stop early enough for the film to set before evening dew, and leave margin for rain.
Follow the shade
Siding in direct summer sun can get far hotter than the air. Working around the house with the shade gives paint time to flow and bond.
Late spring to early fall
The exterior season is short here. Planning ahead gives your project the best weather windows.
The paint
Faithful to Sherwin-Williams.
Guiffre’s paints with Sherwin-Williams, inside and out. Sticking with one paint maker means knowing its products well — which primer suits a surface, how each finish goes on, and what holds up through Michigan’s seasons.
- Real colors, by name and number. Choose from the full Sherwin-Williams color library — every swatch in our Color Studio is one.
- The right product for each surface. Walls, trim, siding and doors each get a Sherwin-Williams paint suited to the job.
- Easy touch-ups later. Keep your color names, numbers and sheens on file, and a touch-up years from now is simple.
Color Studio
Not sure about color? Sketch it first.
Try real Sherwin-Williams colors for body, trim, shutters and door on an illustrated Colonial, then attach your favorite to your estimate request.
FAQ
Exterior questions.
What paint do you use?
Sherwin-Williams. Guiffre’s is faithful to Sherwin-Williams paint, inside and out. We’ll talk through which Sherwin-Williams product and sheen suit each surface, and you can choose any color from the Sherwin-Williams color library — or start sketching in our Color Studio, where every swatch is a Sherwin-Williams color.
How much does it cost to paint a house?
It depends on the size of the home, the condition of the surfaces, how much preparation they need, the number of colors, and access — height, landscaping, stairways. Two houses of the same size can be very different jobs once prep is counted, which is why we look at the home before quoting.
Our guides to exterior and interior painting costs explain the factors, and comparing painting estimates shows what a complete quote should spell out.
When should I plan exterior painting?
In Michigan, exterior painting generally runs from late spring into early fall, on dry days when nights stay above the paint’s minimum temperature. Many homeowners plan over the winter and early spring so they’re ready when the season opens. Interior work can be done year-round. Our guide on when to paint an exterior in Michigan covers the details.
How long does exterior paint last in Michigan?
It varies with the surface, the exposure, the product and — above all — the preparation underneath. South- and west-facing walls take the most sun and usually show wear first. When exterior paint fails early, the cause is most often moisture or prep that was skipped, not the paint itself.
Can exterior paint go on in cold weather?
Every exterior paint has minimum temperatures for both the air and the surface, and it needs time to cure before cold nights and heavy dew set in. Some products are formulated for cooler conditions, but late fall leaves less margin for error. Our exterior timing guide explains what to watch.
Can aluminum siding be painted?
In most cases, yes. Aluminum siding develops a chalky, oxidized surface over the years, and that chalk has to be cleaned off before new paint can bond. Bare or corroded spots need the right primer, then a quality exterior acrylic does the rest. Our guide to painting aluminum siding walks through it.
Should I paint my brick house?
Think it through first — painted brick is very hard to undo. Brick needs to release moisture, so the coating matters, and the mortar should be sound before anything goes on. Sometimes the better answer is limewash, a brick stain, or simply repainting the trim around unpainted brick. Our guide to painting brick covers the pros, cons and alternatives.
What about my landscaping, walkways and roof?
Protecting plants, hardscape and roofing is part of exterior preparation — covering what needs covering, placing ladders with care, and keeping the work area tidy as the job moves around the house.
How do I choose colors for a classic home?
Start with what you can’t change — roof, brick, stone — and let the architecture lead: a Colonial, a Tudor and a ranch each want something different. Our guide to choosing exterior colors for a classic home walks through the method step by step.
Guides
Exterior painting, explained.
When to paint your home’s exterior in Michigan
Late spring through early fall, on dry days with mild nights. Here’s how to read the temperature, dew point and forecast like a painter, and what each Michigan month tends to offer.
Read the guideHow long does exterior paint last in Michigan?
There’s no single number, but there are clear patterns. Here’s what decides how long paint lasts on a Michigan house, what wears it out early, and how to stretch it.
Read the guideSigns it’s time to repaint your home’s exterior
A practical walk-around for reading what your paint is telling you, and for sorting the cosmetic from the urgent before another Michigan winter.
Read the guideWhy exterior paint peels — and how to stop it
Peeling paint is a symptom. Here’s how to read the pattern, find the cause, and make sure the next coat stays put.
Read the guidePainting aluminum siding: what Michigan homeowners should know
Aluminum siding on post-war homes takes paint well, as long as the chalky surface comes off first. Here’s what the job involves and how to make it last.
Read the guideShould you paint brick? Pros, cons and alternatives to consider
Painted brick can look striking, but it’s close to permanent and changes how the wall handles moisture. Here’s how to decide, and what to try instead.
Read the guideAcross the Pointes and Metro Detroit
Let’s plan your exterior.
The exterior season is short in Michigan. Tell us about your home and we’ll be in touch to talk through the project and timing.