Exterior House Painting: Professional Guide for Bay Area Homeowners

At Lamorinda Painting, we've been providing high-quality exterior painting services to Bay Area homeowners since 2003. We're based in Lafayette and proudly serve Lamorinda, the East Bay, and the greater Bay Area with professional exterior painting at affordable prices.

We're fully licensed and insured, and we understand what Bay Area weather demands from exterior paint. From careful surface preparation to climate-appropriate product selection, our crew brings the same attention to detail to every home. Whether you're refreshing faded paint, changing colors completely, or addressing peeling and damage, we'll deliver a finish that protects your home and looks beautiful for years.

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about exterior painting. You'll learn what makes exterior paint last in the Bay Area's unique climate, how professionals prepare surfaces properly, and what to expect from the painting process. Whether you're planning to hire painters or exploring your options, you'll understand what goes into a durable, long-lasting exterior finish.

Contact us today for a free estimate on your exterior painting project.

Table of Contents:

Why Exterior Painting Is a Smart Investment for Your Home

Exterior painting delivers both immediate visual transformation and long-term protection. Fresh paint dramatically improves curb appeal, making your home more attractive whether you're enjoying it yourself or preparing to sell. But beyond aesthetics, quality exterior paint serves as your home's first line of defense against weather, UV radiation, moisture, and the gradual deterioration that affects all exposed surfaces.

Return on Investment

Real estate professionals consistently rank exterior painting among the highest-return home improvements. Homes with fresh, well-maintained exteriors show better, photograph better, and often sell faster and at higher prices than comparable properties with faded or peeling paint.

Even if you're not selling, the value is real. Properly maintained exterior paint prevents wood rot, protects siding from moisture damage, and extends the life of your home's exterior surfaces. The cost of regular painting is modest compared to replacing rotted trim, damaged siding, or moisture-damaged sheathing.

Perfect for Bay Area Homes

The Bay Area's housing stock includes everything from century-old Victorians in Lafayette to mid-century ranches in Walnut Creek to newer developments in San Ramon. Each style has its own character, and fresh paint enhances that character while protecting the underlying materials.

Wood siding, common in older East Bay neighborhoods, benefits enormously from regular painting. Properly painted wood can last generations. Neglected wood rots and requires replacement. Stucco homes, prevalent throughout the region, also need quality paint to seal small cracks and prevent water intrusion that leads to expensive repairs.

We've painted hundreds of Bay Area homes and understand the specific challenges each style presents. Whether your home features intricate Victorian trim, clean mid-century lines, or contemporary stucco, we know how to prepare and paint it properly.

Climate Resilience

Bay Area weather is generally mild, but it still demands proper exterior coatings. We experience temperature swings between warm days and cool nights, seasonal rain followed by months of dry weather, intense UV exposure in summer, and varying humidity levels depending on proximity to the bay and ocean.

Coastal communities like Richmond, El Cerrito, and Hercules face additional challenges from salt air and marine moisture. Inland areas like Antioch, Brentwood, and Oakley deal with hotter, drier conditions and more extreme temperature variations.

Quality exterior paint, properly applied, handles all of these conditions. It expands and contracts with temperature changes without cracking, resists moisture without blistering, and maintains color despite UV exposure. The key is using the right products and applying them to properly prepared surfaces.

Can You DIY or Should You Hire Professional Painters?

What Exterior House Painting Really Involves

Exterior painting looks deceptively simple from the street. The reality involves extensive preparation, specialized equipment, safety considerations, and significant time commitment.

The process starts with pressure washing to remove dirt, mildew, and chalked paint. Next comes scraping and sanding to remove loose paint and create a sound surface for new coatings. Wood surfaces need careful inspection for rot, with damaged areas repaired or replaced before painting begins.

Caulking is critical—every joint where trim meets siding, around windows and doors, and at all the spots where water might penetrate needs fresh, paintable caulk. Priming follows, covering bare wood, stains, knots, and anywhere you've made repairs.

Only after all this prep work does the actual painting begin. Most exterior projects need two coats of finish paint, applied with proper technique to avoid lap marks, runs, and thin spots. Trim often gets different products than siding, and everything needs to cure properly before you're truly finished.

Throughout all of this, you're working on ladders, scaffolding, or lifts. You're dealing with weather windows—rain delays projects, extreme heat affects paint performance, and wind makes spraying difficult. You're protecting landscaping, windows, fixtures, and everything else that shouldn't get paint on it.

When DIY Might Make Sense

Some homeowners have the skills, equipment, and time to tackle exterior painting successfully. If you have a small, single-story home, experience working safely on ladders, and several consecutive good-weather weekends available, DIY can work.

The keys are realistic expectations and proper technique. Professional-grade results require professional-level preparation, quality materials, and meticulous attention to detail. Shortcuts show immediately and fail quickly on exterior surfaces exposed to weather.

You'll need a pressure washer, quality scrapers and sanders, caulking tools, brushes and rollers designed for exterior paint, drop cloths and masking materials, sturdy ladders or scaffolding, and safety equipment. The investment adds up, and these tools sit idle after the project unless you plan to repaint regularly.

When Hiring Professionals Is Worth It

Two-story homes, houses with complex architectural details, large properties, and projects with significant prep needs all favor professional painters. The safety considerations alone—working at height, on uneven ground, near power lines, in changing weather—justify professional help for many homeowners.

Professional painters bring specialized equipment that makes work faster, safer, and better. Commercial-grade airless sprayers create smooth, even finishes impossible to achieve with brushes and rollers alone. Scaffolding and lifts provide stable, safe access to high areas. Pressure washers with the right nozzles clean surfaces without damaging them.

We also bring experience with problem-solving. When we find rotted fascia boards, previous layers of incompatible paint, or moisture issues behind siding, we know exactly how to address them. These discoveries can derail DIY projects but are routine for experienced contractors.

For busy Lafayette and Lamorinda families, time is the most precious commodity. Exterior painting is a major project that consumes weeks of free time for most homeowners. Professional painters complete the work in days while you focus on work, family, and the activities you actually enjoy.

If professional help makes sense for your project, our team handles everything from initial color consultation to final cleanup. Contact us for a free estimate.

Step-by-Step: Our Exterior Painting Process

Our exterior painting process has been refined over twenty years and hundreds of Bay Area homes. Each step builds on the previous one to create a finish that looks beautiful and lasts.

Step 1 - Planning and Color Selection

Successful exterior painting begins before we touch a paint brush. We start with a thorough consultation about your goals, timeline, and color preferences.

Color Consultation

Exterior color selection affects your home's appearance for years, so we take it seriously. We consider your home's architectural style, the colors of surrounding homes, permanent elements like brick or stone that aren't changing, and your personal preferences.

In established neighborhoods throughout Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda, we help you select colors that complement your home's character while fitting the neighborhood context. In newer developments, you have more freedom to choose bold or distinctive color schemes.

We're happy to work with colors you've already selected, help narrow down options you're considering, or guide you through the entire selection process. Many paint manufacturers offer visualization tools that let you preview colors on photos of your home—we can help coordinate this.

Natural light dramatically affects how exterior colors appear. North-facing elevations look darker and cooler, while south-facing walls get intense sun that can make colors appear washed out. We account for these factors when recommending colors and sheens.

Project Planning

We discuss your timeline and coordinate around your schedule. Exterior painting is weather-dependent, so we plan projects during optimal conditions—typically spring through fall in the Bay Area when rain is unlikely and temperatures are moderate.

We'll identify any repairs needed before painting begins. Rotted wood, damaged siding, and deteriorated caulking all need attention before new paint goes on. Addressing these issues during planning prevents delays and ensures the finished job lasts.

Step 2 - Protecting Your Home and Property (Setup)

Before any surface preparation begins, we protect everything that shouldn't get paint on it.

Landscaping near the house gets covered with drop cloths. Shrubs and plants close to walls get carefully wrapped or temporarily tied back. Walkways and driveways receive protective covering in work areas.

Windows get masked with professional-grade materials that seal edges while allowing us to paint right up to the glass. Door hardware, light fixtures, house numbers, and other elements that are staying get masked or carefully removed.

We set up equipment staging areas away from main walkways so your daily life is disrupted as little as possible. Ladders, scaffolding, and lifts get positioned safely and secured properly.

For occupied homes, we coordinate our work to minimize disruption. We communicate clearly about which areas we'll be working in each day, when you'll need to avoid certain doors or walkways, and what to expect throughout the project.

Step 3 - Surface Prep and Repairs (Preparation)

Surface preparation is the foundation of exterior painting longevity. We approach this phase with the same care we bring to the actual painting.

Pressure Washing

We pressure wash all surfaces to remove dirt, mildew, cobwebs, pollen, and chalked paint. Proper pressure washing requires the right equipment and technique—too much pressure damages wood and forces water behind siding, while too little leaves contaminants that prevent paint adhesion.

We use appropriate pressure levels for each surface type and allow everything to dry thoroughly before proceeding. In Bay Area's moderate climate, surfaces typically dry within 24 to 48 hours of washing.

Scraping and Sanding

Any loose or peeling paint gets scraped away down to sound, well-adhered paint or bare wood. This is tedious work, but it's absolutely critical. New paint applied over loose old paint will fail quickly, wasting time and money.

Once scraping is complete, we sand edges where old paint meets bare areas to create smooth transitions. We also scuff-sand glossy surfaces to create tooth for new paint to grip. Dust gets swept or blown away before priming begins.

Wood Repair and Replacement

Bay Area homes, especially older properties in Lafayette and Orinda, often have areas of wood rot on trim boards, fascia, or siding. We identify all damaged wood and repair or replace it before painting.

Small areas of rot can sometimes be treated with wood hardener and epoxy filler. Larger damaged sections get cut out and replaced with new wood that matches the original. This carpentry work is priced separately when needed, but it's essential for a lasting paint job.

Caulking and Sealing

Proper caulking is one of the most important steps in exterior painting, and one of the most commonly skipped or rushed by DIYers and budget painters.

We run fresh caulk everywhere it's needed: where trim meets siding, around window and door frames, at corner boards, along soffits and fascia, and at any other joint where water might penetrate. We remove old, failed caulking first, then apply high-quality, paintable exterior caulk that remains flexible for years.

This step takes time and requires a steady hand, but it's what keeps water out of your walls and makes the finished job look crisp and professional. Proper caulking also helps paint last longer by preventing moisture from getting behind coatings.

Priming Bare Wood and Repairs

Any bare wood—whether from repairs, new wood replacements, or areas scraped to substrate—gets primed before finish coats go on. We use high-quality exterior primers appropriate for the substrate and conditions.

Knots and sap streaks get spot-primed with stain-blocking primer to prevent bleed-through. Cedar and redwood need specialized primers that block tannins. Previously painted surfaces in good condition can often go straight to finish coat, but we prime anywhere we've made repairs or found bare substrate.

Step 4 - Priming for Durability

Primer serves multiple purposes on exterior surfaces: it seals porous substrates, blocks stains, provides a uniform base for finish coats, and promotes adhesion of topcoats.

When We Prime

All bare wood gets primed. Repairs and patches get primed. Stains, knots, and sap streaks get primed. When changing from dark to light colors, we often apply a tinted primer coat to reduce the number of finish coats needed.

Some previously painted surfaces in excellent condition can accept new paint without priming, but we never skip primer when it's technically needed. The modest cost of primer pays enormous dividends in paint performance and longevity.

Primer Selection

We select primers based on the substrate and conditions. Wood siding gets oil-based or high-quality acrylic primers designed for exterior use. Stucco and masonry get primers formulated for those surfaces. Previously painted surfaces that need priming get bonding primers that stick to slick or glossy finishes.

For coastal areas like Richmond and Hercules, we use primers with moisture-resistant properties. For inland areas like Antioch with temperature extremes, we choose primers that handle expansion and contraction.

Bay Area's mild climate allows us to use the best-performing primers without worrying about extreme-weather formulations. This means better adhesion, better stain blocking, and longer-lasting results.

Step 5 - Applying Professional-Grade Paint

Paint application is where experience and technique show most clearly. We've developed methods over thousands of homes that create smooth, durable finishes.

Application Methods

Most exterior painting combines spraying and back-rolling or back-brushing. Spraying applies paint quickly and creates an even, factory-smooth finish. Back-rolling or brushing works the paint into the surface texture, ensuring proper adhesion and eliminating any areas where spray coverage might be thin.

Trim often gets brushed for precise control and clean lines. Some surfaces work better with brush and roller alone. We choose the method that delivers the best results for each surface and situation.

Technique and Coverage

We apply paint systematically, working in logical sections and maintaining wet edges to avoid lap marks. Each coat goes on at the proper thickness—not so thin that coverage is inadequate, not so thick that it runs or sags.

Weather conditions affect application. We monitor temperature and humidity throughout the day and adjust our approach when needed. We don't paint in direct, intense sun that causes paint to dry too quickly. We don't paint when rain is forecast within the manufacturer's recommended drying window. We don't apply coatings when it's too cold for proper film formation.

These adjustments might seem minor, but they're the difference between paint that performs as designed and paint that fails prematurely.

Multiple Coats

Most exterior painting projects need two coats of finish paint for proper color coverage, hiding power, and durability. Some situations—dramatic color changes, porous surfaces, or premium formulations—might need different approaches, which we discuss during the estimate.

We allow proper drying time between coats as specified by the manufacturer. Rushing this step causes poor adhesion, wrinkling, and premature failure. In Bay Area's moderate weather, coats typically dry adequately within four to eight hours, but we always verify before proceeding.

Trim and Detail Work

Trim, doors, shutters, and architectural details often receive different products than siding. These high-visibility, high-contact surfaces need more durable finishes that resist scuffs and clean easily.

We take extra care with trim work, ensuring clean, straight lines where trim meets siding and crisp definition around windows and doors. This detail work is what makes the difference between a good paint job and a great one.

Step 6 - Quality Control and Clean Up

The final phase ensures everything meets our standards and leaves your property in excellent condition.

Final Inspection

We inspect the entire house carefully, looking at surfaces from multiple angles and in different lighting. This catches any thin spots, missed areas, or small imperfections that need touch-up.

We check that all caulking is smooth and complete, that trim lines are clean, that colors match what was specified, and that the overall finish meets our quality standards. Any issues get addressed immediately while we're still on site.

Cleanup and Restoration

Once paint is dry, we begin restoration. All masking comes off carefully to avoid pulling fresh paint. Windows get cleaned of any overspray or masking residue. Light fixtures, house numbers, and hardware get cleaned and reinstalled.

Landscaping protection comes off, and we restore any plants or shrubs that were temporarily moved or tied back. Drop cloths get removed from walkways and driveways. We police the entire property for paint chips, tape, and any debris from the project.

Nothing gets left behind except your beautifully painted home. We even take the empty paint cans and project waste with us.

Touch-Up Paint and Maintenance Guidance

We leave labeled touch-up paint for each color we've used. This allows you to address small scuffs or damage that might occur in the first few months.

We also provide guidance on maintaining your new paint. When to expect full cure, how to clean painted surfaces, what to watch for, and when to plan your next painting project all get covered.

Common Exterior Painting Mistakes (and How We Avoid Them)

We see the same mistakes repeatedly in failed exterior paint jobs. Here's what goes wrong most often and how professional painters prevent these problems.

Mistake 1: Inadequate Surface Preparation

The Problem

Painting over dirt, mildew, loose paint, or deteriorated caulking guarantees premature failure. Paint doesn't stick to contaminated surfaces. It doesn't hold down peeling coatings underneath. It doesn't seal gaps that need caulking. Without proper prep, even the finest paint will fail within months or a few years.

This is the single most common cause of exterior paint failure, and it's almost always about time and labor savings. Proper prep takes longer and costs more in labor than applying paint, but it's what makes the paint last.

Why It Happens

Surface preparation is time-consuming and unglamorous work. It requires patience, attention to detail, and a lot of manual labor. Budget painters and rushed DIYers cut corners here to save time and money, knowing the problems won't show immediately.

How We Prevent It

We build comprehensive prep time into every exterior painting project. Our crew understands that prep work is what makes the painting last, so we never rush this phase.

We pressure wash thoroughly, scrape every bit of loose paint, sand transitions smooth, repair or replace damaged wood, apply fresh caulk everywhere it's needed, and prime properly. Yes, this takes longer. Yes, it costs more in labor. And yes, it's the only way to deliver paint that lasts.

Mistake 2: Using Wrong Products or Cheap Paint

The Problem

Exterior surfaces face intense conditions—UV radiation, temperature swings, moisture, mildew, physical wear. Paint formulated for these conditions costs more than interior paint or budget exterior formulations, but the performance difference is dramatic.

Using interior paint outside causes quick fading and failure. Using flat paint where satin or semi-gloss is appropriate means impossible cleaning and rapid deterioration. Using budget exterior paint means poor coverage, faster fading, and shorter lifespan.

Why It Happens

Paint is expensive, especially for whole-house projects. The price difference between budget and premium paint is substantial when you're buying 20 or 30 gallons. Without experience to know the performance difference, price becomes the deciding factor.

How We Prevent It

We use premium-grade exterior paints from reputable manufacturers. These products cost more per gallon, but they cover better (meaning fewer coats), last longer (meaning you repaint less often), and look better throughout their lifespan.

We also match products to surfaces. Siding gets 100% acrylic exterior paint designed for that substrate. Trim gets more durable semi-gloss or satin finishes. Decks and fences get products formulated for horizontal surfaces and foot traffic.

For Bay Area conditions specifically, we choose products that handle our climate—moisture-resistant for coastal areas, UV-resistant for intense sun exposure, flexible enough to handle temperature swings without cracking.

Mistake 3: Painting in Poor Weather Conditions

The Problem

Paint manufacturers specify temperature and humidity ranges for proper application and curing. Painting outside these ranges causes a host of problems: poor adhesion, inadequate film formation, blistering, wrinkling, slow drying, or surfaces that never fully harden.

Common weather-related failures include painting when it's too cold (paint doesn't form a proper film), painting in direct sun on hot surfaces (causes lap marks and poor leveling), and painting when rain is imminent (moisture ruins uncured paint).

Why It Happens

Weather delays are expensive. Contractors scheduled for a project face pressure to proceed even when conditions aren't ideal. DIYers working on limited time feel pressure to paint on available days regardless of weather.

How We Prevent It

We monitor weather carefully and adjust schedules when necessary. Yes, delays are inconvenient, but they're far better than paint that fails prematurely.

We don't paint when temperatures are outside manufacturer specifications. We don't apply coatings when rain is forecast within the product's drying window. We avoid painting surfaces in direct, intense sun. We monitor humidity and adjust our approach when levels are higher than ideal.

Bay Area weather is generally excellent for exterior painting from spring through fall. By planning projects during optimal windows and staying flexible when weather doesn't cooperate, we ensure paint cures properly and performs as designed.

Paint Selection for Exterior Surfaces

Choosing exterior paint involves more than picking colors. The product formulation, sheen, and quality level all dramatically affect performance and longevity.

Exterior Paint Types and Formulations

100% Acrylic Latex Paints

Modern acrylic paints are the gold standard for most exterior applications. They're durable, flexible, UV-resistant, and clean up with water. Premium acrylics contain more solids and better-quality resins, which means better coverage, richer color, and longer service life.

These paints breathe slightly, allowing moisture vapor to escape from wall cavities without trapping it behind the paint film. This matters in the Bay Area where temperature changes cause moisture movement in and out of walls.

Oil-Based and Alkyd Paints

Oil-based paints have largely been replaced by acrylics for environmental and practical reasons, but they still have some applications. They level extremely well, creating glass-smooth finishes on trim and doors. Some professional painters prefer them for specific trim work.

The downsides are significant: longer drying times, cleanup requires solvents, stronger odors, and restrictions on disposal. Modern acrylic enamels perform nearly as well for most applications without these drawbacks.

Specialty Coatings

Elastomeric coatings for stucco provide extra flexibility and fill hairline cracks. Solid stains for wood siding penetrate surface and resist peeling. Metal primers and paints protect iron railings and gates. We select specialized products when the application demands them.

Understanding Sheens for Exterior Use

Flat and Matte Finishes

Flat exterior paint hides imperfections in siding but doesn't clean well. It's less common on Bay Area homes than satin finishes, though some architectural styles call for it.

Satin and Eggshell Finishes

These mid-sheen finishes have become the most popular for exterior siding. They reflect enough light to add subtle depth to colors without looking glossy. They clean more easily than flat paint and hide minor imperfections better than glossier finishes.

We use satin finishes on most wood and stucco siding throughout Lafayette and Lamorinda. They strike the right balance between appearance and practicality.

Semi-Gloss and Gloss Finishes

Higher-sheen paints are more durable and easier to clean, which makes them ideal for trim, doors, shutters, and other high-contact or high-visibility elements. Semi-gloss is standard for exterior trim in most Bay Area homes.

The trade-off is that glossy finishes highlight every imperfection in the substrate. We only use them on properly prepared, smooth surfaces.

Climate Considerations for Bay Area Homes

Bay Area microclimates create different demands on exterior paint depending on location.

Coastal Communities

Areas near the bay and ocean—Richmond, El Cerrito, Pinole, Hercules, San Pablo—face salt air, higher humidity, and marine moisture. Paint in these areas needs mildew resistance and moisture tolerance.

We select products formulated for coastal conditions and pay extra attention to proper surface sealing and caulking. These steps prevent moisture intrusion that leads to blistering and peeling.

Inland Areas

Communities farther from water—Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, eastern Concord—experience hotter summers, cooler winters, and more pronounced temperature swings. Paint here needs flexibility to handle expansion and contraction, and UV resistance to prevent fading.

Premium acrylics handle these conditions well, maintaining flexibility across temperature ranges and resisting UV damage during long, sunny summers.

Lamorinda Core

Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda enjoy relatively moderate conditions—neither as humid as the coast nor as hot as inland valleys. This allows us to focus on overall paint quality without needing specialized extreme-climate formulations.

Color Selection and Fade Resistance

Color Stability

Darker colors fade faster than lighter ones because they absorb more UV radiation. This doesn't mean you can't use deep colors on Bay Area exteriors, but it does mean you should choose products with superior UV-resistant pigments.

Many paint manufacturers now offer deep-tone bases with enhanced fade resistance. These cost slightly more but maintain color much better over time.

Coordination with Fixed Elements

Roof color, brick or stone accents, landscape hardscaping, and neighboring homes all influence exterior color selection. We help you choose colors that complement these permanent elements rather than clashing with them.

In established neighborhoods, respecting the overall character while still expressing your taste creates the best results. In newer developments, you often have more freedom to make bold choices.

What Affects Exterior Painting Pricing

Exterior painting costs vary significantly based on factors that affect labor, materials, and project complexity.

Home Size and Height

Larger homes with more square footage of siding and trim simply require more time, materials, and labor. Single-story homes are less expensive to paint than two-story homes because they're faster and safer to access.

Homes with complex rooflines, multiple stories, or significant height require scaffolding or lifts. This specialized equipment adds cost but is essential for safety and quality results.

Many Bay Area homes, particularly in Lafayette and Orinda, sit on hillside lots where one side might be single-story and the other effectively three stories. These access challenges affect pricing.

Surface Condition and Preparation Needs

Homes in excellent condition with sound existing paint need basic prep—washing, light scraping, caulking, and spot priming. Homes with peeling paint, failed caulking, wood rot, or extensive damage require significantly more preparation.

The amount of repair work needed—replacing rotted wood, filling large cracks in stucco, addressing moisture damage—affects the overall project scope and cost. We assess these factors during the estimate and provide realistic pricing.

Type of Siding and Architectural Details

Smooth wood siding paints relatively quickly. Wood shingles with rough surfaces take longer. Stucco requires different techniques than wood. Intricate Victorian trim work takes far more time than simple ranch trim.

Homes with multiple siding types, decorative elements, complex trim patterns, or distinctive architectural features all require more labor than straightforward designs.

Number of Colors and Accent Schemes

Single-color homes are straightforward. Homes with body, trim, and accent colors in different combinations require more careful cutting and masking. Each additional color adds time and complexity.

Victorian homes with five or six colors on various trim elements take considerably longer than a two-color contemporary home.

Product Selection

Premium paint costs more per gallon than budget paint, but the difference in material cost is often modest compared to labor. The bigger factor is coverage—premium paints typically cover better, meaning fewer coats and less labor.

Specialty products for specific applications also affect material costs, though these are necessary for proper performance rather than optional upgrades.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

The best way to understand your exterior painting costs is to schedule a free estimate. We'll visit your property, assess the actual condition and scope, discuss your goals and color preferences, and provide a detailed written quote.

This estimate breaks down the work so you understand exactly what's included. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges—what we quote is what you'll pay.

Contact us today to schedule your free exterior painting estimate.

Cities We Serve for Exterior Painting

We're based in Lafayette and proudly serve homeowners throughout the greater Bay Area. Our exterior painting services are available in:

Central Lamorinda:

East Bay Communities:

Greater Contra Costa County:

Coastal Communities:

No matter where you're located in the greater Bay Area, our team brings the same high-quality exterior painting services, attention to detail, and thorough preparation that have made us a trusted name since 2003.

Why Choose Lamorinda Painting for Exterior Painting

Local Expertise with Bay Area Homes and Climate

We've been painting Bay Area exteriors since 2003. Over twenty years, we've worked on hundreds of homes across Lafayette, Lamorinda, and the East Bay. We understand the climate challenges, typical construction methods, and common issues that affect local homes.

We know how coastal moisture affects homes in Richmond and El Cerrito. We understand the temperature extremes in Antioch and Brentwood. We're familiar with the beautiful but demanding hillside properties throughout Lamorinda where access and weather exposure create unique challenges.

This experience means we rarely encounter surprises. We know what to expect in Bay Area homes, which products perform best in our climate, and how to deliver results that last.

Licensed, Insured, and Warranty-Backed

We're fully licensed and insured, providing complete protection for your home and property throughout the project. Our licensing demonstrates commitment to professional standards and regulatory compliance.

We back our work with a full six-year warranty. This isn't a short-term promise—it's a genuine commitment reflecting confidence in our materials and craftsmanship. If something goes wrong with our work during the warranty period, we'll make it right.

Attention to Detail: Setup, Preparation, Cleanup

Our three-phase process—Setup, Preparation, Clean Up—ensures your property stays protected and looks perfect when we're finished.

During Setup, we protect landscaping, mask windows and fixtures, and establish safe, organized work areas. We treat your property with respect, minimizing disruption to your daily routine.

Preparation is where quality exterior painting separates from quick painting. We pressure wash thoroughly, scrape all loose paint, make necessary repairs, apply fresh caulking everywhere needed, and prime properly. This meticulous prep work is what makes the finish look great and last for years.

Clean Up means we leave your property spotless. All masking comes off carefully, windows get cleaned, landscaping gets restored, all debris gets removed, and you receive labeled touch-up paint. When we're done, there's no evidence we were there except the beautiful paint.

This attention to detail sets us apart and keeps clients calling us back when it's time to repaint.

Ready to transform your home's exterior?

We're Lamorinda Painting, and we've been providing high-quality exterior painting services to Bay Area homeowners since 2003. We're fully licensed and insured, and we approach every project with attention to detail and commitment to lasting results.

Contact us today for a free estimate. Your satisfaction is our top priority.

Get Your Free Exterior Painting Estimate →

Frequently Asked Questions About Exterior Painting

How often should I repaint my home's exterior?

Most Bay Area homes need exterior painting every seven to twelve years, depending on several factors. Homes with south or west-facing exposure to intense sun may need painting more often than north-facing homes. Wood siding typically needs painting more frequently than stucco. Coastal homes facing salt air and moisture may need more frequent maintenance than inland homes. Quality of the previous paint job also matters—properly prepared surfaces with premium paint last significantly longer than rushed work with budget products. We can assess your home's condition during a free estimate and give you specific guidance.

What time of year is best for exterior painting in the Bay Area?

Spring through fall generally provides ideal conditions for exterior painting in the Bay Area. We typically avoid winter months when rain is more likely, though we can sometimes paint during dry winter stretches. The specific timing depends on your location—coastal areas may have morning fog to work around, while inland areas get very hot in summer. We monitor weather forecasts carefully and schedule projects during windows of stable, moderate weather. Most manufacturers recommend painting when temperatures are between 50-85°F and no rain is expected for 24-48 hours.

Do you handle repairs to rotted wood or damaged siding?

Yes. We identify all damaged wood during the estimate process and include necessary repairs in the proposal. Small areas of rot can often be treated with hardeners and epoxy fillers. Larger damaged sections get cut out and replaced with new wood. This carpentry work is essential for a lasting paint job—painting over rotted wood just hides problems temporarily. We price repair work separately so you know exactly what's included.

How long does exterior painting take?

Most single-family homes take three to seven days from start to finish, depending on size, condition, and complexity. Smaller, straightforward homes might be completed in two to three days. Larger homes with significant prep needs, multiple stories, or complex architectural details can take one to two weeks. Weather can extend timelines—if rain interrupts the project, we pause until conditions are appropriate for painting. We'll provide a specific timeline estimate based on your actual project during the free consultation.

Will I need to leave my home during painting?

No. We work on the exterior, so you can remain in your home throughout the project. There will be some disruption—workers outside, equipment on the property, occasional need to keep windows closed or avoid certain doors. We communicate clearly about which areas we're working in each day so you know what to expect. Most families stay home during exterior painting without major inconvenience.

How do you protect my landscaping and property?

We take landscaping protection seriously. Plants and shrubs close to the house get covered with drop cloths or carefully tied back before work begins. Walkways and driveways in work areas receive protective covering. We're careful with spraying and brushing to avoid overspray on plants, and we clean up daily to prevent paint chips or debris from accumulating in garden beds. At project completion, we restore any plants that were moved and remove all protective materials.

What if I don't like the color once it's on the house?

We strongly recommend testing colors before committing to the full house. Most paint stores can provide large samples, and some manufacturers offer peel-and-stick samples you can move around your exterior. Colors look different on large surfaces than on small chips, and lighting throughout the day affects appearance. If you're uncertain, we can paint a test section on an inconspicuous area before proceeding with the whole house. Once the house is fully painted, changing colors means repainting, so we work carefully during color selection to ensure you're confident in your choices.

Do you work with HOA color restrictions?

Yes. Many Bay Area neighborhoods have HOA color guidelines or approval processes. We're familiar with these requirements and can help you select colors that meet restrictions while still achieving the look you want. If your HOA requires pre-approval, we can provide color samples and documentation to support your application. We've worked with dozens of HOAs throughout the East Bay and understand their processes.

How do I maintain my exterior paint between painting projects?

Regular maintenance extends paint life significantly. Wash your home's exterior once or twice per year to remove dirt, pollen, and mildew. Address small paint failures (peeling or cracking) promptly before they spread—we leave you touch-up paint for this purpose. Keep landscaping trimmed back from siding to promote air circulation. Check and maintain caulking around windows, doors, and trim. Watch for moisture problems inside your home that might indicate exterior seal failures. These simple steps can add years to your paint's lifespan.

What's included in your warranty?

Our six-year warranty covers defects in workmanship and materials. If paint fails, peels, or blisters due to application errors or product defects during the warranty period, we'll return and make repairs at no charge. The warranty doesn't cover damage from external factors like physical impact, improper maintenance, or modifications to the home. We stand behind our work and want you to have confidence that your investment is protected.

Conclusion

Exterior painting protects your home while dramatically improving its appearance. Quality exterior paint serves as your first defense against weather, moisture, UV radiation, and gradual deterioration that affects all exposed surfaces.

Professional exterior painting isn't just about applying color to siding. It's about thorough surface preparation, proper product selection for Bay Area climate, skilled application that ensures even coverage and adhesion, and meticulous attention to details like caulking and trim work. When done right, exterior paint lasts for years, looks beautiful throughout its lifespan, and protects your most valuable asset.

At Lamorinda Painting, we've been providing high-quality exterior painting services to Bay Area homeowners since 2003. We're based in Lafayette and serve Lamorinda, the East Bay, and the greater Bay Area with the same attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction that built our reputation.

We're fully licensed and insured. We protect your property during setup, prepare surfaces thoroughly, use climate-appropriate premium products, and leave everything spotless when we're finished. Every project comes with a six-year warranty because we stand behind our work.

Whether you're refreshing faded paint, addressing peeling and damage, changing colors completely, or preparing your home for sale, we'd be honored to help. Contact us today for a free estimate on your exterior painting project.

Schedule Your Free Exterior Painting Consultation →

Lamorinda Painting 3559 Mt. Diablo Blvd. #34 Lafayette, CA 94549 Phone: (925) 890-0361 Email: lamorindapainting@gmail.com

Proudly serving Lafayette, Lamorinda, and the greater Bay Area since 2003.

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