Can you have painting done in winter?

Painting indoors in winter

For interior work the season makes little difference. A living room or bedroom kept at a normal temperature is just as suitable in January as in June. Winter even has advantages: there is less to do outside, so there is often more room in the schedule, and your home looks fresh before spring arrives. The main point to watch is ventilation. In winter windows are opened less often, while paint releases moisture as it dries.

• Keep the room at room temperature, also at night.
• Ventilate briefly but thoroughly several times a day.
• Do not place a heater right next to a freshly painted wall.
• Give gloss work on doors and frames extra time to harden.

Why exterior work is difficult in winter

Exterior paint needs the right conditions to bond and cure properly. Most products require a temperature of at least about 5 degrees, and for some water-based paints that limit is higher; the product's technical data sheet gives the exact value. Even more important is moisture. The timber must be dry, the humidity must not be too high and no dew or night frost may settle on the fresh coat. In Noord-Holland, with short days and damp air from the sea and the large lakes, there are few winter days on which all of that is right.

If painting is done in poor conditions anyway, the paint may bond badly, stay tacky for a long time or start flaking later. In the end that costs you an extra paint job.

What can be done outside in winter

On a dry, mild winter's day, a painter can sometimes carry out a small emergency repair, such as temporarily sealing a damaged spot to prevent worse. A full paint job on the window frames, windows and doors is better planned for the outdoor season. Which months are most suitable is explained on the best season for exterior painting. Winter is, however, a good time to have the condition of your exterior paintwork assessed and arrange the quote, so you are booked in on time for spring.

Planning your winter job

If you want to use the quiet months for interior painting, think of spraying walls and ceilings, glossing interior doors or painting a stairwell. For offices and shops the period around the holidays is sometimes handy, when the business is closed for a few days anyway or has fewer visitors. Our painter discusses during the consultation which schedule suits you best.