Owning a home is an investment of money, time and energy. That investment is made even more complicated by the plethora of “do-it-yourself” tips and “expert opinions” at every turn. Establishing a base of knowledge so you understand your home’s needs given the climate you live in is an essential part of home ownership. That being said, Colorado homeowners are faced with unique challenges in home maintenance because of our extreme temperature changes and almost-daily sunshine.
One of the best parts about living in Colorado is the number of beautiful sunny days we get each year. However, that amazing warmth, coupled with how close we are to the sun means that the rays are much more intense. This means that the paint on your home will be much quicker to fade than homes in less-sunny climates.
There are two ways to combat this issue; choosing a high quality product, and picking a light color for the exterior painting of your home. Of the many different brands of paint on the market, we most often use Sherwin Williams. Their A-100 is a great quality paint that will last for years, but we often recommend that homeowners choose something from the Duration line if they are particularly concerned about fading or weather damage. After you choose the specific product, you need to think about color. Our motto is: “When in doubt, go light”. A lighter color should show less fading over time and maintain it’s freshly painted feel for 8-10 years.
Another issue that crops up in Colorado is extreme shifts in weather from warm to cold. Often times in the same Denver day you can see swings from 35 to 80 degrees. This means that the concrete around your home, is in a constant state of flux. Cool temperatures will make your concrete contract and warm temperatures will make your concrete expand, so extreme weather and badly poured concrete can also make your floor crack and shift.
Installing a coating on top of your concrete is a great way to dress up a drab space and hide the imperfections of time, but you need to make sure you are choosing the correct product. Read through the prep process for the product, as well as the warranty information. Make sure that you are choosing a solution that is designed for exterior use and is flexible enough to withstand the natural movement of your floor.
The bottom line is that the exterior of your Denver home will react well to extreme weather as long as you care for it. Make sure your concrete is coated with a material that can withstand the changing weather, and that your home is painted in a high-quality, long lasting product.
For more information about protecting the outside of your home with paint or coatings, contact Zenith Home Finishes today. 720-855-7019 www.ZenithHomeFinishes.com
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