Exterior House Painting

Specific cost drivers on two-story homes include scaffolding or extension ladder staging for upper siding and gables, longer preparation time protecting rooflines and upper trim, and additional time painting second-floor windows, dormers, and fascia boards. If the home has a complex roofline or multiple gable ends, costs increase further. We account for all of this in the written estimate upfront.

We assess the surfaces in the proposed scope and note visible conditions such as failed coatings, open joints, damaged boards, and moisture clues. If added work is discovered or requested later, it should be documented before it is added to the project.

We review the current product instructions along with surface temperature, overnight conditions, dew point, moisture, direct sun, and the rain forecast before application.

We check the current product instructions along with surface temperature, overnight lows, moisture, rain, and the required curing window before scheduling application. If conditions could compromise adhesion or curing, we wait for a suitable weather window.

We evaluate surface temperature, overnight lows, dew point, rain or frost risk, and the required drying window. A calendar date or one universal temperature cutoff is not enough to approve the conditions.

Conditions that can accelerate wear include:

• Persistent moisture, poor drainage, and heavy morning dew.
• Strong sun and heat exposure.
• Wooded or shaded areas that dry slowly and support biological growth.

Signs it’s time to repaint include peeling, cracking, chalking, significant fading, or any visible bare wood.

Exterior products we use where appropriate include:

• Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint for interior and exterior painting.
• Sherwin-Williams Latitude for exterior painting.
• Hallman Lindsay Weatherguard for exterior painting.

The right product also depends on the surface. Masonry, wood, vinyl, and fiber cement each have different requirements. We match product to surface, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Its WeatherGuard line is a 100% acrylic exterior coating listed for properly prepared and primed surfaces including metal, wood, masonry, aluminum siding, and cement board. Product selection still depends on the existing finish, substrate, condition, exposure, and application requirements.

We also use Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore products where appropriate. We recommend a coating system for the project rather than treating one brand as the best choice for every exterior.

The written proposal documents the project scope and applicable warranty details. Any separate manufacturer material warranty depends on the product selected and should not be confused with the Midwest Painting Pros warranty.

• Paint – opaque and commonly used on compatible previously painted siding, trim, fiber cement, metal, and masonry systems.
• Solid stain – opaque like paint and may form a substantial film; often considered for rough-sawn cedar, log homes, and board-and-batten siding.
• Semi-solid stain – provides more color while allowing some wood character to remain visible.
• Semi-transparent stain – allows more grain to show and is considered for compatible natural wood surfaces.

No category is categorically unable to peel or fail. The substrate, existing coating, preparation, exposure, and compatibility with the selected product guide our recommendation during the estimate.

Common contributors include:

• Inadequate surface prep – painting over dirty, chalky, or damp surfaces prevents adhesion.
• Water entry or slow drying – leaks, failed joints, drainage problems, and damp substrates can interfere with adhesion.
• Coating incompatibility – the existing finish and proposed primer or topcoat may not be compatible without additional preparation.
• Sun and exposure – strong exposure can accelerate fading, chalking, and coating wear.

The written scope should address the observed failure, surface preparation, repairs, and compatible coating system before repainting.

How the three generally compare:

• Solid stain – opaque, can form a substantial film, and helps unify color variation, but can still fail if the substrate or prior coating is unsound.
• Semi-transparent stain – adds color while allowing more of the grain and texture to remain visible.
• Transparent stain – shows the most wood character and may have less film build, depending on the product.

Horizontal surfaces generally need more frequent maintenance than vertical siding because they receive standing water, snow, sun, and foot traffic. See our deck and fence staining page for that scope.

When tannin bleed is the diagnosis, an appropriate stain-blocking primer or coating system may be specified for exposed cedar before the topcoat. The correct treatment depends on whether the discoloration is tannin bleed, moisture, mildew, corrosion, or another condition.

If you’re seeing existing discoloration on cedar siding or trim, let us know during your estimate – we can identify whether it’s tannin bleed, mildew, or a different issue and address the root cause rather than just repainting over it.

Common deck-wear factors include:

• Snow and standing water – horizontal boards remain wet longer than vertical siding.
• Full sun exposure – horizontal boards receive substantial direct sunlight and heat.
• Standing water and foot traffic – both wear down the coating’s surface film faster than anything a vertical wall experiences.

Deck maintenance timing depends on the wood, existing finish, exposure, drainage, preparation, and selected product. Learn more about our deck and fence staining process.

Our prep process step by step:

• Clean surfaces with a method appropriate to the substrate and allow them to dry.
• Scrape all loose, peeling, or flaking paint.
• Sand rough edges smooth.
• Prepare open joints where sealant is appropriate without blocking intended drainage or ventilation details.
• Treat or prime bare and repaired areas as required by the selected coating system.
• Mask windows, doors, landscaping, and hardscape.
• Apply broader primer coats where the substrate and selected system require them.

Preparation is one of several factors that affect coating performance, along with substrate condition, moisture, compatibility, application conditions, and ongoing maintenance.

Painting over rotted wood is one of the most common mistakes in exterior painting. It looks fine briefly, but the paint fails quickly and rot continues spreading underneath. We identify rot during the estimate and include repairs in the scope so the project team can coordinate the repair and painting work properly.

The appropriate repair depends on the location and extent of damage. We document the proposed repair method and included materials in the estimate rather than applying one repair approach to every condition.

Cleaning may include detergent, mildew treatment, rinsing, or controlled pressure to remove dirt, chalk, and biological growth. Delicate wood such as cedar requires a gentler approach, and high-pressure washing is not used as a shortcut for stripping failed coatings.

Timeline is primarily driven by:

• Home size and number of stories.
• Amount of trim and detail work.
• Extent of prep and repair needed.
• Weather and the selected product’s application, drying, and recoat requirements.
• Number of coats required.

We give you a realistic timeline in the written estimate and communicate throughout the project if anything changes.

We confirm what needs to be moved or secured before work begins and establish how project questions and schedule updates will be communicated. A final walkthrough can then be coordinated when the work is complete.

Permit requirements may be triggered when the project includes:

• Siding replacement or substantial exterior material replacement.
• Roofing work or roof sheathing replacement.
• Window alterations, including changes to opening dimensions.
• Structural framing or carpentry modifications.

Before work begins, verify the requirements for the actual scope with the applicable city, village, town, or county building department.

With Midwest Painting Pros specifically:

• Your project follows a clear written scope from estimate through final walkthrough.
• Based in North Prairie – we serve the communities we live in, not a territory assigned by a corporate office.
• Questions and project decisions are handled through a local point of contact.

The written proposal identifies the work being quoted so expectations are established before the project begins.

Permit-related repair work may require applicable contractor credentials. Wisconsin also regulates covered paint-disturbing renovation work in pre-1978 dwellings and child-occupied facilities, so the building age, disturbed area, and scope must be evaluated before work begins.

When hiring any contractor in Wisconsin:

• Ask what credentials apply if structural work is involved.
• Verify whether permits or inspections are required for the specific scope.
• Confirm the contractor carries appropriate insurance coverage.