Many factors can affect the paint on your commercial property, particularly exterior paint. These are mostly related to temperature and weather, because exterior paint is fully exposed to the elements at all times. If you’ve ever wondered how to winterize a commercial building, we’re here to help explain how cold weather affects paint, the ideal temperature range for specific paint types, and how to protect your commercial property’s paint from the cold.
Understanding How Temperature Affects Paint Performance
Paints are formulated with precise measurements and can only tolerate specific temperature ranges. If the temperature is too high or too low, it significantly affects the paint’s performance.
Paint Chemistry and Sensitivity to Colder Environments
Colder conditions and snow can pose many challenges for painting, as many paint types have minimum temperature thresholds; temperatures below them can prevent the paint from adhering properly. If the wind is too cold, certain types of paint may crack or peel. Meanwhile, snowfall can add moisture to surfaces, further affecting paint adhesion.
The Ideal Temperature Range for Painting
Cold conditions increase the paint’s viscosity, making it thicker and harder to spread evenly. This can result in a heavy application, leading to wrinkling or extended drying times.
The ideal temperature range generally falls between 50°F and 85°F with moderate humidity, between 40% to 60%. However, the specific range and paint performance depend heavily on the type of paint you are using. For latex paints, the optimal temperature range is 50°F to 85°F. Oil-based paints can usually be applied at temperatures as low as 40°F, but they require close monitoring.
Common Paint Problems Caused by Cold Weather
Some common paint problems that can occur in cold weather include:
Slow Drying and Improper Curing
While the surface of the paint may feel dry within a few hours as water or solvents evaporate, the curing process, in which the paint resins chemically bond to form a hard and protective shield, takes much longer. In cold weather, this cure time can last several weeks. If temperatures fall below the paint’s threshold during this critical period, the chemical bond may fail, leaving the finish soft, sticky, and prone to premature peeling.
Cracking, Peeling, and Flaking
Since paint does not adhere properly to the surface in cold weather, it often starts to peel, flake, or crack. This problem does not appear until months later, when the paint is fully cured but does not adhere properly.
Color Changes and Uneven Finish
In cold weather, some surfaces dry unevenly. Since the paint dries unevenly across areas, the final color is patchy and inconsistent. In some cases, gloss paint can have some dull spots, and dark paint may develop a white, frosted look. To maintain an even finish in cold weather, you need paint formulated for these conditions, such as the Pro Industrial Multi-Surface Acrylic line from Sherwin-Williams.
How Cold Weather Affects Specific Commercial Surfaces
Cold weather can reduce paint adhesion on certain commercial surfaces.
Metal Surfaces
Metal surfaces cool down faster and retain more coolness, which gives the paint more cold to battle with during the curing process. Eventually, the paint does not cure well and starts cracking and peeling.
Concrete and Masonry Walls
Masonry is porous and is more likely to hold moisture. In colder temperatures, this moisture can freeze and expand due to freeze-thaw cycles, causing paint to adhere poorly to the surface. This ultimately causes blistering and bubbling of paint.
Wooden Surfaces
Wood surfaces can contract in cold weather, in addition to their porous nature of wood. As a result, the paint does not adhere well to wood in cold weather, leading to blistering, cracking, and bubbling.
Additional Winter Elements That Damage Commercial Property Paint
In addition to moisture changes in surfaces, some additional winter elements that can damage your commercial property paint include:
Snow and Ice Melt
Moisture intrusion from snowmelt, freeze-thaw cycles on porous surfaces, and ice dams caused by meltwater on the roof can damage the paint. Certain ice-melting products used to remove ice contain salt, which can corrode the paint and cause chemical degradation.
Frost and Condensation
Frost on walls in cold environments can significantly damage paint, causing discoloration and staining. Moreover, condensation can also lead to serious problems, such as bubbling and peeling of paint and mold growth.
Wind Chill and Rapid Temperature Fluctuations
Wind chill can damage exterior wall paint, especially during application, drying, and curing. Extreme or rapid changes in temperature are also a major cause of paint failure in colder environments.
How to Protect Your Commercial Property Paint in Cold Weather
There are certain ways to protect your commercial property paint in cold weather.
Use Cold-Weather Paints or Additives
The first step in protecting paint is to choose a paint better suited for cold weather. The right paint should include additives such as alkyd, acrylic, urethane, or epoxy polymers for improved durability and barrier protection.
Schedule Painting During the Warmest Part of the Day
Experts do not recommend painting in extreme cold weather or when the wind is chilly. Plan your painting process during the days with milder temperatures, and choose the warmest part of the day, usually between 10 am and 2 pm, to paint.
Prepare the Surface Properly
Before painting, prepare the surfaces by ensuring they are free of dirt, moisture, and dew. Pay extra attention to sealing door frames, window sills, and corners, and seal all spots, cracks, and gaps to create an even surface.
Maintain Correct Film Thickness
Paint thickens in cold weather, so it’s necessary to reduce its viscosity before applying. Use paint formulated for cold-weather application and designed to cure properly at lower temperatures, such as solvent-based paints.
Use Heaters or Temporary Enclosures
For indoor painting, use heaters to warm the surfaces before painting. You can also create temporary enclosures with plastic sheeting or tarps to raise air and surface temperatures.
Inspect and Repair Paint Damage Early
Even after all precautions, the paint can still face some damage, so it’s important to consistently follow quality assurance practices. Inspect the paint periodically to catch any damage and repair it early, before the paint settles.
Long-Term Winter-Proofing Tips for Commercial Properties
Winter makes paint vulnerable to damage. Here are some long-term winter-proofing tips for commercial properties:
Regular Exterior Inspections
Regular exterior inspections are necessary during cold weather; they help you catch emerging issues and prevent damage caused by temperature fluctuations and moisture. Inspect vulnerable areas, check for discoloration, and detect any blistering, cracking, bubbling, or peeling.
Repaint Before Winter Arrives
If your commercial property needs a makeover, schedule it before winter arrives. It’s always better to paint in spring and summer and let the paint cure before chilly winds or extremely low temperatures can affect it.
Waterproof Coatings and Sealants
One of the best practices to protect your commercial property’s paint during winter is to apply waterproof coatings and sealants. Moisture issues and snowmelt are the primary causes of paint deterioration in colder months, and sealers provide an additional layer of protection.
Gutter and Drainage Maintenance
Clogged gutters cause overflow of water from melted snow and ice, which runs down the commercial building’s exterior walls and damages the paint film. Proper gutter cleaning and drainage maintenance during cold weather can protect your paint.
When to Hire a Professional Commercial Painting Contractor
Painting your commercial property in cold weather or maintaining your painted walls in extremely low temperatures requires protective measures. From surface preparation and selecting the right paint type to regular exterior inspections and maintenance, the entire process can be daunting and complex.
This is when you should hire a professional commercial painting to manage your cold-weather painting project. Commercial painting contractors offer warranty-backed services and have access to industry knowledge, specialized equipment, and industrial-grade coatings.
Final Thoughts
Cold weather is detrimental to your property’s paint if you do not take the appropriate steps to preserve and maintain your paint. Without proper surface preparation and temperature-control, you may end up wasting your resources. Commercial painting contractors are your best bet for planning and executing a successful painting project for your commercial property during cold weather, ensuring a finish that withstands harsh climate conditions. Contact Boise Commercial & Residential Painting today for your professional commercial painting needs.
