As a business owner, you should know the importance of striking a good first impression. First impressions can make or break your success based on how potential customers see your business. You could have the best product or service in the market, but if your business’ commercial building shows signs of neglect, people may be less inclined to transact with you.
That’s why looking for ways to improve your commercial property’s appearance and overall value is essential. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by giving your building’s exterior a fresh coat of paint. When done right, exterior painting enhances the visual appeal of your building and serves as a protective barrier against the elements.
You might be wondering what goes into the commercial building exterior painting process. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on professional commercial painters’ benefits, processes, and maintenance practices.
What Are the Benefits of Commercial Exterior Painting?
When done correctly, commercial building painting provides more than just a visually pleasing facade. Some key benefits of exterior painting include:
- Increased Property Value: A well-maintained building reflects positively on your business, giving potential buyers and investors a favorable impression and potentially increasing the property’s resale value.
- Extended Lifespan: Regular exterior painting services protect your building’s surfaces from damage caused by elements such as rain, wind, sun, and extreme temperatures.
- Improved Energy Efficiency: A new coat of high-quality paint can seal gaps and cracks, providing better insulation and reducing energy costs.
- Preventative Maintenance: Addressing minor issues such as cracks and fading paint promptly can help prevent more significant problems down the line.
- Improved Curb Appeal: A fresh coat of paint can significantly improve the aesthetic value of a business property, making it more attractive to customers and employees alike.
Preparing Your Property for Commercial Building Exterior Painting
Before starting the painting process, commercial painters conduct some initial preparations. Some steps can vary depending on a commercial facility’s needs. These processes can include:
1. Choosing the Right Time
The ideal time to paint your building is during the dry and moderate temperature season, typically spring or fall. This ensures faster drying times and better paint adhesion. Additionally, scheduling commercial exterior painting can depend on the weather forecast and other seasonal factors.
2. Planning and Budgeting
Business owners must consider the project’s scope, including the square footage that needs painting, the materials required, and the labor costs. Obtain quotes from professional painting contractors to develop a reasonable budget and timeframe for completion. Depending on the type of business you run, this could also cause disruptions to your operations.
3. Obtain Necessary Permits
Ensure you have the permits for exterior painting projects, especially if your city, municipality, or local association requires them. Contact your local government’s building for more information. Also, remember that your community may have rules about what times you’re allowed to schedule work on your property.
4. Select Colors and Finishes
Choose the appropriate color and finish that aligns with your brand image, matches your interior style, and complements the surrounding environment. Be mindful of any local architectural guidelines or color restrictions that may apply to your building.
5. Power Wash the Building
Before painting begins, clean your building’s surfaces with a power washer to remove dirt, mildew, loose paint, and other stubborn debris from your commercial property’s walls. This provides a clean, smooth surface that new paint can easily adhere to and create a smooth and even coat.
6. Preparing the Exterior and Assessing Repair Damaged Areas
Before painting begins, the contractor should safeguard your property and landscaping. This includes covering windows, doors, external fixtures, and nearby plants with drop cloths or plastic sheeting. Also, any damaged areas must be patched, any loose paint removed, and rotten wood or other materials replaced. This ensures optimal paint adhesion and prevents staining on your fixtures.
Commercial Exterior Painting Process
1. Hire a Professional Painting Contractor
For the best results, hire a reputable commercial painting contractor with experience working on commercial building exterior painting projects similar to yours. They will ensure every step of the process is executed correctly and in a timely manner that minimizes disruption to your core operations.
2. Prime the Surface
After power washing your exterior walls, allow your surfaces to dry before applying a high-quality primer to your building’s surfaces. This is crucial for optimum paint adhesion and durability. It helps conceal previous paint colors and imperfections, ensuring an even and long-lasting finish. Latex primers take around 30 minutes to an hour to dry, while other primers take up to three hours to completely dry, depending on the area’s temperature and humidity.
3. Apply Multiple Layers of Paint
Using a brush, roller, or spray, apply the first layer of paint. Allow the layer to set before adding additional layers to your walls. Continue applying multiple layers until you’ve achieved the desired outcome.
4. Inspect the Finished Project
Inspect your exterior walls and address any touch-ups or corrections needed. This is an essential step to ensure your satisfaction with the final product. Remove the masking and covering and clean up the worksite.
It can take between 6 to 48 hours for your paint to fully dry. Your business painters may return after several days to inspect the quality of the finished project and address any additional issues that might have occurred during the drying process.
Maintaining Your Exterior Painting
Regular maintenance prolongs the lifespan of your building’s paint job and keeps your property looking fresh and attractive. It’s recommended that you repaint your property every three to five years to ensure your outer walls always look their best. Factors such as outdoor debris, wind, temperature, and humidity can affect the appearance and quality of your building. In the meantime, consider implementing the following maintenance practices:
- Annual Inspection and Maintenance: Schedule an annual inspection from a professional contractor. They can identify and fix potential issues before they become significant problems.
- Regular Power Washing: Have a professional power wash your property every three to four months or as needed. Over time, your walls will collect dust and dirt, especially in high-traffic areas of your property. Power washing provides a fast and effective way of removing debris.
- Touch-Up Painting: Elements such as humidity, temperature, and weather conditions can cause wear and tear on your paint. Address any chipping, fading, or peeling areas with a fresh coat of paint to keep your building looking well-maintained.
- Seal Cracks and Gaps: Apply weather-resistant sealants to any cracks or gaps identified during inspections, preventing water damage and ensuring the longevity of your paint job.
Let Raider Painting Protect Your Property
Exterior painting is a valuable investment for any business owner, offering numerous benefits to both the visual appeal and overall value of your commercial property. By following this comprehensive step-by-step guide, you will be well-prepared to embark on a successful exterior painting project that will enhance your business’s image and protect your investment for years to come.
Raider Painting delivers excellent results that benefit your commercial property. Request an estimate today and see how our services exceed your expectations.
