Exterior Home Painting
If your siding has seen better days or your backyard needs refreshing, exterior home painting or staining can make a real difference to your property. Professional house painting and deck staining not only looks good but also protects your home from the elements, making it well worth the investment.
How it works
Finding the right experts for your house painting or deck staining is easy when you use Handy. Just answer a few quick questions about the job and provide your zip code, and you’ll be connected with local professionals who will give you a free quote for your project.
Exterior painting and staining costs
The cost to paint the exterior of a house can be between $1,000 and $3,000*, while deck staining can cost up to $1,000*. It all depends on factors including the size of your property and the quality of the surface to be painted or stained.
Cost breakdown
Brick
Exact prices vary by contractor and the materials used, but brick tends to be one of the most expensive surfaces to paint. Prices start from $3 to $4* per square foot, although staining is cheaper.
Wood
Exterior wood painting is less expensive than brick at around $2* per square foot, but you may need to pay more if the surface needs cleaning or sanding first.
Vinyl
Average prices are similar to wood, and a professional will be able to prepare the surface correctly so the paint won’t peel off.
Stucco
Stucco often has an uneven texture that makes it harder to paint, and prices reflect this additional labor. Costs usually start from around $3* per square foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I paint or stain my wood siding?
Staining retains the natural beauty of your exterior wood but provides less protection than paint. Paint requires more surface preparation and will hide the original appearance, but it guards wood against the elements and can last up to 10 years if it’s properly maintained.
Can I apply stain over existing deck paint?
Removing existing deck paint can be costly and labor-intensive, but it's worth the effort if you want to restore the wood to its original glory. An experienced professional will be able to achieve this using a scraper and chemical paint stripper. If you don’t want to remove the paint, a solid stain can be a wise choice as it behaves more like an additional layer.
What’s the best type of exterior paint?
Latex paints come in a huge variety of colors and are easy to clean although they require a lot of preparation, including the removal of existing paint if you have oil-based paint on the wall. Oil-based paints come with a similar price tag and are ideal for front doors and porches, but don’t work as well on concrete and brick.
Which exterior wood stain should I use?
Clear stains provide the lowest level of protection, and the wood may gradually lose its coloring over time. Semi-transparent stains contain some pigment and can last for several years. Opaque stains cover the wood's original color – although they'll retain its texture – but can last up to a decade.
*Cost estimates referenced are sourced from HomeAdvisor, Angie’s List and other national home improvement websites