Now that spring is finally here it’s time to start planning all those exterior painting jobs that you’ve been putting off since last year. Whether you have a garden, a yard or a yarden, you can spruce up your exterior space by taking the time to clean, decorate and add a splash of colour. From fencing and sheds to brickwork and decking, there are plenty of features that will be rejuvenated with a lick of paint. In this article, we’ll look at some of the jobs that you should be doing this spring.

Clean it first

Like any interior decorating job the first step in any exterior painting job is to clean the area that you are looking to paint. From decking and fences to sheds and brickwork, a good clean is essential to making sure the end result is one that you’ll be proud of. A pressure washer is a good option for cleaning woodwork such as decking and can help remove algae, moss and dirt from all types of surfaces.

Don’t be afraid of bright colours

While sheds may traditionally be brown or green you no longer need to stick rigidly to these colours as there are so many options to choose from. Soft pastel colours fill the shelves in DIY stores with durable, weather resistant paints that have been specially created for outdoor use. As well as paints there are also a wide range of stains available that can bring your external wood back to life and make a stylish space that you’ll want to spend your days enjoying.

Use a paint sprayer

Whether you are painting your fences or your shed it is well worth investing in a paint sprayer that is built for the job. Not only will a paint sprayer help you save a lot of time, but it will also make the whole painting process a lot more pleasurable, meaning you won’t be afraid to do it again next year. When using a paint sprayer always remember to spray in the direction of the planks. So if your fence has horizontal plans you should spray horizontally, while for vertical planks you’ll need to spray vertically.

Start at the top

No matter what you are painting you should always start at the top and work your way down to the bottom. So if you are painting the brickwork or masonry of your home then you’ll need to start right at the top. The reason for doing this is simple. By working from the top down you’ll be able to catch any paint runs and drips. As well as starting at the top you should always ensure you finish a complete section in one session, e.g. don’t paint the top of your house on one day and then the bottom the next day. Instead split the job into sections such as walls, panels of a fence or sides of a shed.

Use inexpensive roller covers

For rough brickwork and masonry where you’ll be using a roller, there is no point using expensive roller covers as the surface being coated is more forgiving than smooth interior walls. Instead buy cheaper, disposable roller covers and simply dispose of these when you are finished. This will help save you plenty of time and effort as you won’t need to clean these after use.