Getting a new color of paint for your house can be a lot of fun. But did you know that painting your house could also improve your home’s value? Check out these tips to save big this summer.
Keep wood rot away with a fresh coat of paint.
A chipped and peeling exterior paint job looks unsightly. It also exposes your home to wood rot. When it rains, water can be trapped in the paint cracks, damaging your wood and inviting termites. To prevent wood rot, you should check your house at least once a year for signs of damage and paint over any cracked sections.
Paint your exterior walls lighter to reflect heat.
Painting the exterior walls of your house with a bright color can help reflect the sun’s rays and cool down your house in the summer. A Department of Energy study found that painting walls with reflective paint saved up to 20 – 30% of energy.
More than that, a bright color of paint will actually last longer than a darker color. Lighter colors deflect more damaging sunlight. This means that they tend to chip less than darker paint. Choosing a lighter color will extend the length of your paint job. That bonus gives you two reasons to save by going lighter this year.
Fresh paint can improve curb appeal and add to your home’s resale value.
Having a coat of new paint on your home’s exterior can make a big difference to its value. Curb appeal is a big draw to potential buyers, and new paint is more attractive than dull, chipped or peeling paint.
If you’re thinking about selling your home, try painting the exterior of your house a neutral color such as white or grey. These neutral colors have a wide appeal.
Even if you’re not planning to sell, you’ll feel better coming home every day to a house that looks the best it can be. Paint color can improve your mood. And really — you can’t put a price on that.