What Denver Homeowners Should Know Before Hiring a Painting Contractor
Painting your home’s exterior is a major investment. Done correctly, a new paint job can dramatically improve curb appeal, protect siding and trim, and give an older home an entirely new appearance.
But choosing a painting contractor isn’t simply about finding the lowest price.
The quality of the preparation, the condition of the existing surfaces, the products being used, the weather conditions, and the experience of the painting crew can all affect how your finished project looks and how long it lasts.
At A Affordable Painting, we’ve worked with homeowners throughout the Denver metro area, including Broomfield, Westminster, Thornton, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, and surrounding Northern Colorado communities.
This guide explains what homeowners should know before starting an exterior painting project.
Why Denver Homes Need Special Consideration
Colorado’s climate can be hard on exterior coatings.
Homes throughout the Denver area experience intense sunshine, large temperature changes, snow, wind, moisture, and occasional severe storms.
That means an exterior paint system has to do more than look good on the day the project is completed.
It needs to adhere properly, tolerate temperature changes, resist weather exposure, and protect the underlying surface.
This is one reason we believe preparation should never be treated as an optional part of an exterior painting project.
7 Things to Know Before Painting Your Denver Home
1. Preparation Is Just as Important as the Paint
One of the biggest misconceptions about house painting is that the quality of the project comes primarily from the paint itself.
The paint matters.
But the surface underneath matters just as much.
Depending on the condition of your home, preparation can include:
- Pressure washing
- Removing loose or peeling paint
- Scraping
- Sanding
- Caulking
- Priming bare surfaces
- Addressing minor surface repairs
- Protecting landscaping, windows, doors, and other areas
Painting over failing paint doesn’t fix the underlying problem.
If the existing coating isn’t properly prepared, the new coating can eventually fail with it.
2. Your Home May Not Need New Siding
If your exterior looks old, it’s easy to assume that replacement is necessary.
Sometimes it isn’t.
A professional exterior repaint can dramatically change the appearance of a home without the expense and disruption of replacing otherwise serviceable siding.
This can be particularly valuable when the primary problems are:
- Faded color
- Peeling paint
- Outdated colors
- Worn trim
- Chalking
- Deteriorated caulking
- Mismatched exterior surfaces
Before spending tens of thousands of dollars on replacement materials, it can be worthwhile to have a professional painter evaluate what you already have.
Can Old Clad Windows Be Painted?
This is another area where homeowners are sometimes surprised.
Many older aluminum-clad or metal-clad windows can be professionally refinished when the existing windows are still structurally sound.
Instead of replacing functional windows simply because the exterior color has become faded or outdated, repainting may provide the visual transformation you’re looking for.
At A Affordable Painting, we can evaluate clad windows as part of an exterior painting project and determine whether repainting them is appropriate.
Combining clad window painting with a full exterior repaint can create a completely different appearance without replacing every window on the house.
3. Color Selection Matters More Than Most People Think
The right exterior color can make a house look larger, newer, cleaner, or more modern.
But choosing colors isn’t just about picking the color you personally like.
Consider:
- The architectural style of your home
- Roof color
- Brick or stone
- Existing windows
- Landscaping
- Neighborhood characteristics
- HOA requirements
- How much direct sunlight the exterior receives
Popular Colorado exterior combinations often include warm whites, greiges, muted greens, earthy neutrals, charcoal accents, and darker front doors.
The goal should be a color scheme that looks good on your particular home—not simply the most popular color on the internet.
4. Don’t Automatically Paint Everything the Same Color
One of the easiest ways to improve an exterior is to use multiple colors strategically.
For example:
Main color: siding or stucco
Secondary color: trim and architectural details
Accent color: front door or garage door
Additional accents: shutters, railings, or other features
A thoughtful color combination can highlight architectural details that disappear when everything is painted the same color.
5. Timing Matters in Colorado
Exterior painting requires appropriate weather conditions.
Temperature, moisture, wind, and precipitation can all affect the application and curing of coatings.
That’s why professional painters don’t simply choose a date and ignore the forecast.
The project should be scheduled around suitable conditions and adjusted when weather creates a problem.
For Denver-area homeowners, exterior painting is generally most practical during the warmer months, but the exact schedule depends on the project and the weather.
6. Get More Than a Price
When comparing painting estimates, don’t compare only the final number.
Ask each contractor what is included.
A quality estimate should make it clear:
- What surfaces are being painted
- What preparation is included
- Whether bare areas will be primed
- How many coats are planned
- What products will be used
- Whether minor repairs are included
- What areas are excluded
- How the property will be protected
- What cleanup is included
Two estimates can have very different prices because they are offering very different scopes of work.
The cheapest estimate isn’t necessarily the least expensive project if the paint fails early and you have to pay for the work again.
7. Look for Proof of Local Experience
Before hiring a painting contractor, look beyond a company’s advertising.
Look for evidence that the company actually works in your area.
Check:
- Google reviews
- Before-and-after photos
- Project examples
- Local service areas
- Website information
- Insurance information
- Customer testimonials
- How long the company has been operating
- Whether the company clearly explains its process
Google says local visibility is influenced primarily by relevance, distance, and prominence. Google also notes that reviews, links from other websites, and the business’s overall presence across the web contribute to prominence.
That’s one reason A Affordable Painting’s website shouldn’t simply say that we are “painters.”
It should clearly demonstrate where we work, what we paint, how we approach projects, and what makes our work different.
What Does an Exterior Painting Project Usually Include?
Every home is different, but a typical exterior project may involve:
Step 1: Estimate and Evaluation
We look at the condition of the existing surfaces and discuss your goals.
Step 2: Color Selection
We help establish the colors and finish you’re looking for.
Step 3: Preparation
The surfaces are cleaned and prepared based on their condition.
Step 4: Repairs and Priming
Problem areas are addressed and appropriate surfaces are primed.
Step 5: Painting
The selected coatings are applied to the prepared surfaces.
Step 6: Detail Work
Trim, doors, windows, fascia, soffits, and other components receive the appropriate attention.
Step 7: Cleanup and Final Walkthrough
The property is cleaned and the finished work is reviewed.
What About Interior Painting?
Many homeowners who hire us for an exterior project also have interior projects they’ve been putting off.
A whole-home refresh can include:
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Doors
- Baseboards
- Trim
- Accent walls
- Individual rooms
A Affordable Painting provides both interior and exterior residential painting, as well as commercial painting and additional services such as deck and fence staining, power washing, and minor drywall repair.
Why A Affordable Painting?
We believe homeowners deserve a painting company that communicates clearly, prepares the surfaces properly, uses quality products, and treats the property with respect.
A Affordable Painting is a Colorado company serving the Denver metro and Northern Colorado.
Our service area includes communities such as:
Our website currently identifies us as a fully insured painting company and provides free estimate requests for residential and commercial projects.
Thinking About Painting Your Denver-Area Home?
If your home’s exterior is faded, peeling, outdated, or simply ready for a change, you don’t necessarily need a major renovation.
A professionally prepared and painted exterior can completely transform the appearance of your property.
And if your older clad windows are still in good condition, repainting them may be an option worth considering rather than immediately replacing them.
A Affordable Painting can evaluate your home and help you determine what makes sense for your project.
Request a Free Painting Estimate
Ready to find out what your home could look like with a fresh exterior?
Visit AAffordablePainting.com or contact A Affordable Painting to schedule a free estimate.
We’ll look at the condition of your home, discuss your goals, and provide recommendations for your project.
A better-looking home can start with a conversation.