Is It Time?

beachpainting • July 25, 2023
Blue beach house with wooden decks under a partly cloudy sky.

It is certainly true of human nature that we often tend to put off home maintenance and repair projects until it is absolutely necessary. You may be debating whether it’s time to repaint your OBX home. Maybe you’ve seen signs of peeling paint, faded color, or cracked/missing caulk. These are all signs that your home is ready for a new paint job.

Why Now – Can’t It Wait?

The workforce on the OBX has been greatly diminished since COVID. There simply is not enough affordable housing to accommodate the number of laborers needed to maintain the rental properties here. As the rental seasons get longer, there is less time to complete major projects. If you have any projects for the off-season, it's best not to wait.

Weathered building exterior with blue paint on wooden shingles and several windows.

Some Things to Consider

Color: Maybe it's time to change colors. If you’re looking for a dramatic change, nothing can affect the appearance of your home quite like a fresh paint job. Maybe your house doesn’t really match the surrounding homes on your street – or even with the colors of its natural surroundings.

Curb Appeal and Home Value : Curb appeal is very important in a competitive vacation rental market. When a prospective vacation guest is looking at comparable properties, how does your house compare? A fresh coat of paint can make your house look newer and nicer than its competitors on the rental market. Studies have shown that a fresh coat of paint can actually increase the value of your home. A nice, clean paint job can also complement your home’s features while making undesirable features less noticeable. The right paint color and sheen can make a dark house appear lighter or a small room look more spacious.

Protection : Your home’s exterior paint is the first line of defense against nature. Failing paint or caulk can lead to water infiltration, wood rot, and insect infestation. If your house has peeling paint or cracked (missing) caulk, you don’t want to wait.

Identify Necessary Repairs and Hidden Damage : Many times, wood rot and insect damage are hidden to the naked eye. When a house is prepped for exterior painting, the first thing we do is pressure wash. Next, we scrape and sand peeling paint and inspect all caulk. During the preparation stage, it’s not uncommon for us to find rotten trim and siding, or even termite damage. These problems if left unabated can be extremely time-consuming and expensive to repair.

Blue shingled house exterior with white window frames and a slatted wooden fence.


Person looking up, reaching towards a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds, framed by a white wall.

Color Trends 2026

By beachpainting • February 12, 2026
Each year, most paint manufacturers release a “Color of the Year” along with a palette of complementary shades. Pantone — the global authority on color — is best known for the Pantone Matching System (PMS), which provides a standardized language for identifying, matching, and communicating color across design, fashion, printing, and manufacturing. Their annual selection is often a strong predictor of broader color trends and frequently aligns with the palettes chosen by major paint manufacturers.
Workers in lift painting the exterior of a white house with a blue sky background.

Winter Maintenance

By beachpainting • January 6, 2026
Winter is here on the Outer Banks, and if your home is part of a rental program, you’re likely working through a long checklist to prepare for the upcoming season.
Overhead view of a hurricane swirling over a deep blue ocean, white clouds form a spiral.

Hurricane Season Tips For Your Outer Banks Home

By beachpainting • August 25, 2025
Hurricane season on the Outer Banks occurs between June and November, with the peak of the season occurring from Mid-August to Mid-October. If you own property on the Outer Banks, you’re already acutely aware of this. With Hurricane Erin currently wreaking havoc along the East Coast, now is a good opportunity to provide some quick tips for your home during hurricane season.
Light green three-story house with white trim, balconies, and turret under a blue sky.

The Real Value of Quality Work

By beachpainting • July 9, 2025
When it comes to home improvement, few things make an instant visual impact like a fresh coat of paint. Whether it's reviving weather-worn siding or refreshing an outdated interior, painting can breathe new life into your space. But as you start collecting quotes, you may wonder: why does a good painting contractor cost more than others?
Gray house with white trim, red door, and a circular driveway.

Boosting Curb Appeal

By beachpainting • June 24, 2025
The Transformative Power of Washing and Painting Your Home
Two-story house with weathered blue shingles, several windows. Ladder leans against the side.

Why Waiting Will Cost You More $$$

By beachpainting • June 10, 2025
If you’ve been putting off painting your house, you’re not alone—but it may cost you more than you think. Summer is the best time of year to paint your Outer Banks home. If you've noticed signs of paint failure (e.g. fading, peeling, blistering, chalking), give us a call today.
Hand with dusty fingers next to light-colored, horizontal wall siding.

How to Fix Paint Chalking

By beachpainting • May 27, 2025
If you've noticed a fine, powdery residue on your painted walls or outdoor surfaces, you may be dealing with chalking paint. This is a fairly common issue that occurs when paint breaks down over time due to weather exposure, UV rays, or low-quality paint ingredients. It’s especially prevalent on exterior surfaces (especially fiber cement siding). What Causes Chalking? Chalking happens when the paint binder deteriorates, allowing pigment particles to loosen and form a chalky dust. While it’s a natural part of aging for some paints, excessive chalking can affect appearance, stain surrounding surfaces, and prevent new paint from adhering properly. How to Fix Chalking Paint Test for Chalking: Rub your hand or a dark cloth over the surface. If it comes away dusty, you have chalking. Clean the Surface: Use a stiff brush or pressure washer to remove as much chalk as possible. Follow up with a mild detergent and rinse thoroughly. Let It Dry: Ensure the surface is completely dry before proceeding. Prime If Necessary: For areas with stubborn residue or if you're repainting, apply a high-quality, binding primer suited for chalky surfaces. Repaint: Choose a premium, weather-resistant paint and apply as recommended. Preventing Future Chalking Invest in high-quality paint with strong UV resistance and proper binders. Regular maintenance, such as gentle washing and inspections, also helps keep surfaces looking fresh. By addressing chalking early and using the right materials, you can extend the life and look of your paint job for years to come!
Person on a ladder painting a house's exterior siding near an oval vent.

Picking the Right Color

By beachpainting • May 8, 2025
Summer is a great time to paint your Outer Banks home if it is not in rental program. Temperatures and humidity are relatively consistent and longer daylight hours generally lead to shorter project durations.
Hand touching rotted wood siding with damaged building wrap, revealing underlying rot, outdoors.

Common Reasons for Wood Rot

By beachpainting • October 29, 2024
Wood rot in homes and buildings on the OBX is a common occurrence. It is caused when bacteria and fungi have a chance to grow in a damp environment. Our weather (high humidity, nor’easters, hurricanes, etc…) provides enough moisture to promote wood rot. If you know what to look for, you can often catch the rot early enough to avoid major structural damage.
Paint roller and tray with a paint can in the background; preparing to paint.

A Guide to Wall Touch-Ups

By beachpainting • June 25, 2024
In a previous blog post, we tackled the topic of how to determine whether your house needs to be repainted. If your paint job is holding up well, but you have minor paint damage to your walls from children, pets, or summer guests, the following guide will help you. Step-by-Step Guide to Wall Touch-Ups: Clean the Surface: Begin by cleaning the damaged areas with a mild detergent and water. Remove any dust, dirt, or greased that may affect paint adhesion. Prepare the Surface: Use a fine-grit sandpaper (around 220-grit) to smooth rough edges around the damaged area. Wipe clean with a tack cloth to remove any sanding dust. Prime (if necessary): For significant repairs or bare patches, apply a primer to ensure proper adhesion and uniformity of the topcoat. Apply Paint: Use a small brush (angled brushes work well for corners and edges) or a roller for larger areas. Apply the paint in thin layers, feathering the edges to blend with the surround wall. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next coat. Blend and Feather: To achieve a seamless finish, father the edges of the touch-up paint into the existing paint. This technique helps to minimize visible lines and ensure a uniform finish. Expert Tip: Matching Paint SheenSatin and eggshell finishes will lose their sheen over time, which means your wall touch-up may be visible to the naked eye (even if the color match is perfect). One method to assure uniformity in sheen is to add a few drops of water into your paint bucket (assuming you are using a water-based paint). If you are touching up an oil-based paint, add a little paint thinner.