Interior Painting
Walls, ceilings, trim and doors painted with clean lines and careful protection of your home.
Learn moreResidential Painting
Exterior Painting in Grand Rapids, MI
Careful prep and durable coatings for siding, trim and porches that face West Michigan weather.
13+ years of hands-on painting experience
Exterior Painting for Grand Rapids Properties
An exterior repaint does two jobs at once. It changes how the house looks from the street, and it is the first line of defense for the siding and trim underneath. In Grand Rapids that defense gets tested hard, with lake-effect snow, freeze-thaw cycles through the winter and humid summers that keep moisture in the wood.
Because of that, the paint is only half the story. Washing, scraping loose paint, caulking gaps and spot-priming bare wood are what let the coating stay bonded through the next several winters. A repaint skipping these steps looks good for a season and then starts peeling.
Timing matters as well. Exterior paint lists minimum application temperatures on the can, and many products fall in the 35 to 50 degree range, with surfaces that have to be dry. In West Michigan that puts exterior work from late spring into early fall.
Signs your home needs exterior painting
Catching these early often means less prep and a lower bill.
- Peeling or flaking paint, especially on south- and west-facing walls
- A chalky residue that comes off on your hand when you rub the siding
- Faded color that makes the house look older than it is
- Cracked or missing caulk around windows, doors and trim joints
- Bare or graying wood showing on trim, fascia or porch parts
- Mildew or dark streaks that return soon after cleaning
How an exterior painting project works
Inspect and plan
We walk the house with you, note the siding type and trim, mark problem spots and talk through colors and how many coats each surface needs.
Wash and scrape
The house is cleaned to remove dirt and mildew, then loose and failing paint is scraped back to a firm edge.
Caulk and prime
Gaps at trim and windows are sealed and bare wood is spot-primed so the finish coat has something to grip.
Paint on dry days
Finish coats go on when surfaces are dry and temperatures are right, siding and trim in the order that keeps the lines clean.
Final walk-through
We walk the exterior with you, touch up anything that needs it and clear the site.
What drives the price of an exterior paint job
We quote exterior work after seeing the house, because these factors vary widely from one home to the next:
- Size of the house and number of stories, which decides ladder or lift needs
- Siding type and its condition, such as wood, vinyl or fiber cement
- How much scraping, sanding and spot-priming the old paint requires
- Amount of trim, shutters, porches and other detail work
- Number of colors and whether the color change is dramatic
- Weather scheduling and any repairs found along the way
Why choose AAR Painting for your exterior
Exterior jobs reward experience. Knowing when a surface is dry enough, when to stop for weather and how far to scrape comes from years on site, and Alvaro has 13 of them behind him.
A crew that can add painters when a house is large means less time with scaffolding and ladders up and less time with your home exposed in the middle of a job.
We paint exteriors across Grand Rapids and the cities around it. See our Grand Rapids painting page and Kentwood painting page.
Exterior Painting FAQs
What is the best time of year for exterior painting in Grand Rapids?
Late spring through early fall, when surfaces stay dry and temperatures sit within the range printed on the paint can. Cold snaps, heavy dew and rain delay work, so the schedule has some flexibility built in.
How long does exterior paint last on a Michigan home?
It depends on how well the surface was prepared, the product used and how much sun and moisture the wall gets. South-facing walls and spots with poor drainage wear faster. We can give you a realistic expectation for your house.
Can vinyl siding be painted?
Often yes, using a paint made for vinyl and a color choice that suits it. Very dark colors absorb heat and are usually avoided on vinyl, so we talk through color options before starting.
What happens if it rains during my exterior paint job?
We stop and wait for the surface to dry. Paint applied to damp siding or just before rain can fail early, so weather delays are part of doing the job properly.
Do you wash the house before painting?
Yes, cleaning is part of prep. Dirt, mildew and chalky residue have to come off for the paint to bond, and loose paint is scraped back to a sound edge.
Related Services
Drywall Repair
Holes, cracks and water-stain patches repaired and sanded smooth before paint.
Learn moreGet a Free Quote on Exterior Painting in Grand Rapids
Tell us about your house and we will follow up with a free quote.