Some houses don’t need a renovation. They need a proper paint job.
That was the story with this two-storey weatherboard home we finished recently. The bones were great: Hamptons-style cladding, plantation shutters, a tidy hedge and a classic white picket fence out the front. But years of Melbourne weather had worn it down. Dark streaks ran down the rendered front and garage from the roofline, the paint looked dull and patchy, and grime and mould crept along the bottom rail of the picket fence.
The owners didn’t want a new look. They wanted the house to look like it did when it was new. Here’s how we got there, and what you can take from it if you’re thinking about painting your own place’s exterior.
What the “before” photos told us
When you look closely at the before shot in the attached image below, you will se grey and black staining across the render. Mostly under the parapet and around the garage. During the monsoon, rainwater carries dirt and mould spores down the wall, which you can clearly see in the image. If left for a long time, it gets into the wall surface. SO you cannot just paint on it; you have to go through the process because the new paint will not grip it properly. Mostly, if you notice that fence has green and black marks, flaking at the base, nails are rusted, some of them are misaligned, and that looks tired even when the house behind it is fine. But you know why this happens: pickets that sit close to hedges and garden beds stay damp longer, and the bottom rail gets regularly splashed back by rain and sprinklers.
How we did it
Good exterior work is mostly preparation. The painting is the easy part. Here’s the process we followed:
- Clean and treat.We washed down the render, weatherboards and fence, then treated the mould so it doesn’t come straight back.
- We filled cracks in the render, sealed gaps, and sanded back loose or flaking paint on the pickets and posts.
- We primed bare timber and repaired patches so the topcoats bond evenly.
- Trim first, then walls.We start with fascias, window frames and gutters, then cut the walls in against them. It gives cleaner lines and saves time, which saves you money.
- Premium exterior paint made to handle Melbourne’s sun, rain and temperature swings.
- The fence.Picket by picket, including the edges, the gaps between pickets, the posts and the letterbox surround.
The result
The after photos say it better than we can. The render is crisp and even, the black fascia stands out again, the garage door looks brand new, and the picket fence is bright white from the cap of each picket down to the bottom rail. Same house, same colours, but it looks years younger from the street.
Why fence painting matters more than people think
Fences are the first thing people notice when they come to your home. It is not only the boundary but also frames the whole house, like the margin of a canvas; if you rember in childhood when we draw, we create a margin so the painting looks good. Because if the fencing are in bad condition it will drag down the value of you house. A clean one makes everything behind it look sharper.
Painting a fence in Melbourne takes a bit of know-how. Timber pickets deal with strong summer sun, wet winters and plenty of moisture from gardens. If you don’t clean, sand and seal the timber properly, the paint starts peeling within a couple of seasons. That’s why we always suggest doing the fence alongside the house. You get matching colours, one set-up, and one clean finish.
If you’re searching for fence painters near me, check that they prepare the timber properly and paint the edges and gaps, not just the faces you see from the footpath.
When is the best time for exterior painting in Melbourne?
We have vast experience in painting jobs, and spring and autumn are the best times for exterior painting in Melbourne. Because mild temperatures and lower humidity let the paint dry at the right pace. We mostly avoid painting above 35°C because the paint dries too fast to bond and leaves brush marks, giving the paint an improper texture once it dries. We also monitor the Bureau of Meteorology forecast and plan exterior coats around dry spells.
How to choose exterior house painters near me
If you’re comparing exterior painters in Melbourne, here’s what to look for:
- Licensed and insured.It protects your property and the people working on it.
- An itemised quote.Prep, materials, number of coats and clean-up should all be listed, so there are no surprises.
- Proper prep.Ask exactly how they’ll handle mould, cracks and flaking paint.
- Local experience.Melbourne weather is unpredictable, and experienced exterior house painters know how to work around it.
- Real before-and-after photosand honest Google reviews.
Frequently asked questions
How long does exterior house painting take?
It depends on wall size, the number of stories, surface condition and the weather. After a site visit, we give you clear start and finish dates.
How often should a timber picket fence be repainted?
As a rough guide, every few years. Fences in full sun or close to sprinklers and hedges usually need it sooner. As mentioned above, this happens for several reasons. Flaking at the base or dark marks on the bottom rail mean it’s time.
Can you paint the house and the fence in the same job?
Yes, and we recommend it. You get matching colours and a consistent finish, and it’s usually more cost-effective than booking them separately.
Which areas do you cover? We’re based in Balwyn North and work right across Melbourne, including the eastern, northern, southern and western suburbs and the CBD.
Ready to give your home the same fresh start?
Orchid House Painters has been painting Melbourne homes for over 20 years. We’re fully licensed and insured, provide upfront itemised quotes and don’t leave until you’re happy with the finish. Whether you need a full exterior repaint or want your picket fence looking sharp again, we’d love to help.
Call 0402 089 311 or request a free measure and quote today. You can also see more of our work on our projects page.