
Exterior Painting: Spray Versus Brush Versus Roller
- Spraying. People usually use a sprayer for large areas such as the siding. ...
- Brushing. Using a brush to paint the exterior of your home is the most labor-intensive way to go. ...
- Roller. The third way that you can paint the exterior of your house is with a roller. ...
- Final Words. ...
Is it better to brush or spray paint exterior walls?
Brushing, too, is a great way to conserve paint. The paint goes on thicker when brushing, yet it uses less paint. Still, brushing is more physically demanding than spraying. You'll need to be able to reach all areas of the house exterior, even the highest spots.
What is the difference between exterior paint color spraying and exterior painting?
Exterior Paint Color Spraying is a much better application if you are changing the color of your home. Spraying covers better and the application is more uniform. Spraying has no brush strokes and offers a more durable satin finish that looks much nicer.
Does brush paint last longer than spray paint?
“Well, then, it seems like when it comes to spray vs. brush painting using a brush helps the paint last longer,” Jenny points out. Spraying or brush painting a house has no effect on whether the paint lasts or not. The main factors are the quality of the paint, the weather, and how good the painter is.
Is spray painting a good idea?
She also recalls 3 reasons why, when it comes to spray vs. brush painting, spraying is not a good idea. Here is what they are and why they shouldn’t be a concern. 1. “It Gets Everywhere It Shouldn’t” “I don’t want paint ending up on plants, walkways, windows, or anything like that.”

Is it better to spray paint outside?
Working outside is the most effective way to avoid inhaling fumes, but a breeze may blow away most of the paint before it reaches the surface, while bugs and falling leaves wreck the finish. So it's often best to work indoors with doors and windows open.
Is it better to use a paint brush or spray the paint on?
Amount of Paint to Use With a Brush In general, you will use up to three times more paint by spraying than by brushing–plus, you risk getting a thinner coat.
Does spraying paint look better?
Spraying or brush painting a house has no effect on whether the paint lasts or not. The main factors are the quality of the paint, the weather, and how good the painter is.
Do professional painters use paint sprayers?
When a home is being built you will see professional painters using a paint sprayer. Most of the time this is because there is very little to mask off because there's no furniture and typically no flooring in the space. But in addition to spraying professional painters will also back roll.
What are the disadvantages of spray painting?
Spray paint is more expensive per square foot of coverage. Spray paint requires ventilated area in which to work. You can't use it indoors. Drips are tricky.
How long does spray painting a house last?
SPRAY PAINTING IS BAD FOR YOUR POCKET: The average home with spray-on paint only lasts 4-5 years before it needs to be repainted. That is why Cline Quality Painting has always used hand-painting because we care about not just the finished product but how it will look 8-12 years from now.
In what order do you paint the exterior of a house?
Step 1: Pressure-Wash Walls. To ensure best coverage, remove dirt and dust buildup from house using a pressure washer. ... Step 2: Repair Damaged Surfaces. ... Step 3: Remove Loose Paint. ... Step 4: Caulk Trim. ... Step 5: Prime Stains. ... Step 6: Protect Doors, Windows and Lights. ... Step 7: Paint Exterior. ... Step 8: Paint Trim and Doors.
Can you spray paint house exterior?
2:465:32How to Paint a House with a Paint Sprayer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's a good idea to practice spraying on a big piece of cardboard. Before painting the house andMoreIt's a good idea to practice spraying on a big piece of cardboard. Before painting the house and adjust your pressure as you find a spraying speed you're comfortable.
What is the fastest way to paint a house?
01 of 07. Wash Your House Quickly and Painlessly. ... 02 of 07. Paint Your House the Same Color or Darker. ... 03 of 07. Prime Only When Needed. ... 04 of 07. Minimize Paint Scraping. ... 05 of 07. Paint Roll the Flat Surfaces. ... 06 of 07. Spray Large Areas or Detailed Areas. ... 07 of 07. Don't Spend as Much Time Cleaning Brushes or Roller Covers.
Are home paint sprayers worth it?
Paint sprayers have an obvious advantage: They can spread paint, stains, and clear finishes faster than any brush or roller. But just as important is their ability to apply an even coating to uneven surfaces like window shutters and stair balusters—fertile ground for brush drips.
Does a paint sprayer use more paint?
Even renting a paint sprayer could cost you $40 a day. Then, if you choose to use a sprayer anyway, you'll still need to buy more paint: Sprayers use about 33 percent more paint than rollers do. For a fraction of the cost, rolling paint is the budget-friendly way to go.
How long does it take to paint a house exterior with a sprayer?
Ordinarily 4 to 5 hours for 2 or 3 skilled painter's helpers can completely mask a home's exterior. Masking windows, light fixtures, foundation, vegetation, also concrete, decks, and surfaces not to receive paint splatters or over-spray.
Does spraying paint use more paint?
Yes, paint sprayers use much more paint than rollers, but you can control the waste. The main question is: “Is it worth the time?” Often, yes, very much so.
Is it worth it to use a paint sprayer?
Paint sprayers have an obvious advantage: They can spread paint, stains, and clear finishes faster than any brush or roller. But just as important is their ability to apply an even coating to uneven surfaces like window shutters and stair balusters—fertile ground for brush drips.
Is it better to spray or brush paint kitchen cabinets?
Ideally, spray painting cabinets is the most sought after method today. The quality of finish you get from using a spray gun is second to none, and it's by far a faster and more efficient method.
What is the best way to paint house?
Step 1: Pressure-Wash Walls. To ensure best coverage, remove dirt and dust buildup from house using a pressure washer. ... Step 2: Repair Damaged Surfaces. ... Step 3: Remove Loose Paint. ... Step 4: Caulk Trim. ... Step 5: Prime Stains. ... Step 6: Protect Doors, Windows and Lights. ... Step 7: Paint Exterior. ... Step 8: Paint Trim and Doors.
Why is brushing better than spraying?
When brushing, you'll have the chance to pay more attention to the details. If there is a problem area that needs fixing, you'll often see it better when brushing rather than when spraying. Brushing, too, is a great way to conserve paint. The paint goes on thicker when brushing, yet it uses less paint.
How much does a paint sprayer cost?
Commercial-grade high-velocity paint sprayers can be rented for $400 to $600 per week and consumer-grade sprayers can be purchased for half of that amount.
What factors lower a paint estimate?
Dripping and laying on the paint too thick are factors that will lower this estimate.
What does it mean to spray closer?
Spraying closer means a greater chance of drips. Also, you get more blow-back from the sprayer, which means suiting up with a paint sock over your head, coveralls, respirator, and tight goggles. Read More.
Can you use a paint sprayer on a house?
Using a paint sprayer for your home's exterior means that you can cover more areas faster–but only after the prep work is done. Difficult architectural work and textures are easy to cover with a paint sprayer. Sprayers can extend your reach by another couple of feet when you have high or out-of-the-way areas.
Can paint be blown out of a hose?
Also, paint left in the hose must be blown out. Some of the paint can be saved, but much of it goes to waste.
Can you spray paint out of a hose?
When you are finished, it might be tempting to spray out the rest of the paint into the air. Instead, pump the paint remaining in the hose back into the container instead of disposing of it. Paint remaining in even 25 feet of the hose can add up. Plus, conserving the paint is more eco-friendly.
Why is it bad to use a paint sprayer on windy days?
Another drawback of using a paint sprayer is that it cannot be used on windy days because it leads to paint wastage. It also dries out the paint really fast, which can be undesirable for those who wish to even the coat further with a roller brush.
What factors determine whether to spray paint or paint?
There are several factors that will come into play while deciding on a suitable technique. For one, the size of the house and the surface area that need to be covered will play a major role in determining whether you should spray or brush paint your house. The bigger the house, the more labor-intensive the project will become, ...
What is the best technique to paint trim?
On the other hand, brush technique is perfect for painting the trims of the house and painting narrow surfaces such as windowpanes, sills, exterior siding, and for focusing on accent coloring.
Why is overlapping important when brush painting?
However, overlapping is a major concern while brush painting, because it can give the entire surface an unevenly painted appearance.
Can you spray paint with a second coat?
Fortunately, the second coat can be applied within no time with the help of a sprayer.
Is spray painting a good idea for a large house?
Spray painting is suitable for painting large houses as it allows for more area to be painted, thereby getting the job done a lot faster than brush or roller painting.
Do you need a second coat of paint to paint a brush?
Even though a second coat is often required while brush painting, the foggy effect created by paint sprayer does not appear in this traditional method of painting.
Can you paint the exterior of a house?
Because every project is different, and each painting technique has its strengths and weaknesses, there is no “best” way to paint the exterior of a house, but to recap, here are some general rules to follow. If you are painting a large surface without many features, spraying the paint can be an incredibly efficient way to complete the project. But setting up can be time consuming, and you will end up using more paint, which is more expensive. If the project is smaller, has a lot of fine detail work, or uses multiple colours, go for brushing! The set up is easy and you will use a lot less paint, saving money. The only downside is that the painting itself is going to take longer than if you were spraying the paint. With this in mind, choose the technique that suits your needs and begin the fun of transforming the exterior of your home today.
Is spray paint better than brushing?
Though one is not inherently better than the other, spraying and brushing paint are very different techniques. As a result, there are pros and cons to each - and one will likely be better suited for your project. For exterior spray paint, the first thing to consider is the setup time. Because spraying paint covers such a large surface, areas that you don’t want painted, such as windows or doors, must be covered before starting. Also, excess paint can be taken by the wind, so this can even mean covering adjacent driveways and sidewalks. However, once everything is taped and covered up, spraying paint is much faster than brushing. Spraying also gets into all the nooks and crannies of textures like brick and concrete, which can take several passes with a brush. So if you don’t mind the setup time, or if you have one large, featureless surface to paint, spraying would be a great option for your project.
What is an airless sprayer?
An airless sprayer is ideal for applying the correct amount of paint, quick. Trim, gutters, fascia – depends on the project. Spraying exterior paint doesn’t mean a drop in quality. In fact, it can mean the opposite. If the operator is experienced with a sprayer, the exterior paint finish will be more even and consistent.
Is it better to spray two coats or one coat?
Sprayers are popular for a reason. Hire a true professional and you both benefit from spray application. Two coats is always better than one, but preparation is always king!
Can I spray paint a second coat?
Instead, ask your contractor about spraying a second coat. Highly recommended! You will need double the paint, however, like I mentioned above, it’s still (typically) cheaper than labor. And your paint contractor will still complete the project much quicker than brushing and rolling.
Is it better to spray paint with a sprayer or a brush?
With a sprayer you are not spreading exterior paint (as with brush/roll) as much as you are ‘laying’ the paint on the surface. Thus, the better coverage. On top of that, your painter should be able to control the thickness of which the exterior paint is sprayed. Too thick and too thin are both bad practices.
Which is better, spray paint or spray paint?
Exterior Paint Color. Spraying is a much better application if you are changing the color of your home. Spraying covers better and the application is more uniform. Spraying has no brush strokes and offers a more durable satin finish that looks much nicer.
How Much are you Willing to Spend on Painting your House?
Spraying will be less costly, with more preparation involved. Hand brushing will be more expensive because it is more labor-intensive.
What is the advantage of hand brushing?
The major advantage of hand brushing is the ability to push the paint into cracks where caulking is not used.
Is it cheaper to spray siding?
Spraying the siding will be cheaper and the project will be completed faster. It takes longer to set up to spray and there will be a lot more paint used for the project too. Spraying usually only requires one coat and you will get a smooth finish free of brush strokes and roller marks.
Can you spray masonite on a Raleigh home?
One of those areas is the siding. Both Hardie Plank lap siding and masonite are commonly found on Raleigh homes. Other areas such as gutters, downspouts, porch ceilings, and shutters can also be sprayed.
Is it better to spray or brush?
For a small house, if you pick spraying, you may end up spending more money on the preparation and clean up rather than painting. If you have a tight timeline, spraying may be the better option because it is faster than traditional brushing and requires a lot less time.
Is spray painting better than hand painting?
There are many people who prefer their home hand-painted, while others believe that spraying gets better coverage.
How many people can spray paint siding?
This can be very efficient and works best with two people if possible. The sprayer applies the paint to the siding in a manner allowing the brush or roller to follow behind laying the paint out. It is very quick and leaves a nice even finish.
What is the process of spraying paint on siding?
With this process the sprayer applies the paint to the siding and the brush or roller is used to lay the paint down evenly allowing it to penetrate the cracks, etc. This is called spraying and back brushing or, if using a roller, spraying and back rolling.
What happens if you put underlayment in wet or humid?
In a wet/humid environment, it can also lead to failure of the underlayment which will lead to rot and mold issues in the wall cavaties.
Do you caulk cracks before painting?
Most cracks should be caulked before painting. Some will last and some will simply crack back open.
Can you caulk siding?
Yes, no caulking the siding. The best is to have a drainage plane behind the siding.
What are the advantages of painting the exterior of a house?
If you are doing it yourself, you might consider rolling and brushing because it allows you to take breaks when you need them. Professional painters often use a combination of methods. They start with spraying and they put the finishing touches on with a roller and brush. It is important to understand the differences and the advantages of using each method.
Why use a sprayer for paint?
If the painter is experienced in using a sprayer, the finish will be smooth, even, and consistent. It leads to more coverage in a shorter time, and it can look great. Spraying places paint on the surface, and you can control the thickness so that you get just the right amount of paint in each layer.
