It’s not commonly done, but painting, and other home improvements, if done right, are perfectly fine to do in the winter. In fact, as you will learn in this post, painting your home in the winter is actually better for the paint and has many other added bonuses.
You must ensure that your home is properly ventilated when painting and that it is also properly insulated to prevent moisture (and potentially mould) from penetrating your walls. It’s also advisable to use a paint with the least amount of chemicals (like a low-to-zero VOC paint).
Before you try it yourself, however, it’s a good idea to reach out to a professional painting company to get their thoughts on the current weather conditions, which paint to use, etc.
But having said that, these are the advantages of painting your home’s interior in the winter.
Winter Can Create the Ideal Drying Environment for Paint
One of the main culprits for paint taking so long to dry in the summer is the humidity. Some humidity is helpful when painting, as it keeps the paint from drying too quickly and flaking.
The ideal humidity for painting is between 40 and 50 percent relative humidity, and the ideal temperature is between 15 – 25⁰C – conditions that are easier to keep stable during the winter months because of the decreased humidity. It’s also easier to regulate both temperature and relative humidity in the winter with indoor heating.
Note that using oil, latex or water-based paints in a damp environment will take longer when the weather is cold. This means that recoat times are extended as well. A second coat can usually be applied within four hours at 23⁰ or higher.
It Makes More Logistical Sense
Most people plan their renos for spring and summer and, if completing a project on the interior of their home, will be couped up again, only this time during the warm summer months. Summer is also the season people spend the most time outdoors, leaving their newly renovated homes empty as they take trips to the beach, parks, festivals, the cottage, BBQs or even abroad.
Conversely, it makes more sense to upgrade your home during the winter months as you’re already couped up at home, which means that you have the most time to oversee a home improvement project. It’s also the longest amount of time you spend at home, so you actually get to enjoy the improvements you make.
When Spring and Summer do come around, you’re free to book a vacation or rent a cottage because you don’t have to worry about being home, working furiously to complete that bathroom reno to get it all done before your vacation runs out or your other commitments become due. Also, you now have the option to work on your home’s exterior without having to prioritize or compromise because you don’t have the time to do both.
Finally, when the warm weather does hit, you’ll be ready to host friends and family in your newly upgraded home.
Painting in the Winter is More Cost-Effective
As people gear up for the spring and summer renovation season, they buy more paint. This drives the price up considerably higher than its cost in the fall and early winter. This is also the time of year when paint manufacturers and stores discount paint to get it off their shelves.
But the biggest savings, and best value for your money, is what you can save on painting and other contractors during the winter. Since this is their “off-season,” many painting companies offer discounts on their services.
When you consider the reduced cost for paint and a lower rate for a professional painter versus the value added to your home and quality of life, it’s pretty much a no-brainer. And to top it off, because painting companies are less busy, there’s a quicker turnaround time between when you call for an estimate to when the work is completed. It’s also good to know that they can take their time on your home and not have to rush off to another job.
