A Look at Seasonal Impact on Commercial Painting Projects

As a business owner, you know that a vibrant coat of paint on your building can have a huge impact on your bottom line. Not only does paint help attract new customers and build confidence in your company, but it can also extend the life of the building and reduce overall wear and tear. 

But before you start comparing commercial painting companies in Kansas City, you must consider several factors. One of the most impactful is the season in which you’re planning your painting project. Since Kansas City experiences all four seasons, the weather can affect your plans considerably.

To help you get your project done more efficiently, let’s break down the impacts of weather and temperature fluctuations on exterior painting. This way, you can plan accordingly and get the best results. Luke Kush Painting understands the challenges created by Kansas City weather, so we take a proactive approach to mitigating its effects. 

How Does the Season Affect Outdoor Commercial Painting? 

Unfortunately, Kansas City’s climate can vary significantly from season to season, and each presents unique obstacles for an exterior painting project. However, you can’t afford to wait for ideal weather conditions to get the job done, so it’s imperative to know what to expect and prepare accordingly. 

Here’s a breakdown of the specific challenges that can occur and how Luke Kush Painting minimizes delays and setbacks. 

Temperature and Painting Quality

Ideally, painting would always happen when it’s 70 degrees and sunny. However, those days are relatively few and far between, depending on the season and weather forecast. Kansas City can experience temperature extremes, from hot and sticky summers to snow and ice-filled winters. 

The first challenge is that most exterior paint is rated for a specific temperature range. So, if the weather exceeds that range in either direction, the paint can experience problems like: 

• Thickening – Cold weather tends to make the paint thicker, so it’s harder to apply and makes the job take much longer. 
• Blistering and Cracking – When it’s super hot and sunny, the paint can dry much faster, leading to cracks and blisters on the surface.
• Longer Drying Times – Paint takes longer to dry in colder temperatures, so it may not adhere well enough to the building’s surface. 
• Surface Frost – When temperatures drop below freezing, frost can develop on the building’s surface. Painters must remove this layer before starting, slowing down the project considerably. 
• Worker Safety – When the sun beats down, workers can overheat and collapse from heat exhaustion. Similarly, frigid temperatures mean painters must take breaks to avoid hypothermia. 

At Luke Kush Painting, we accommodate temperature fluctuations by choosing paint based on the weather forecast. During the winter, we choose paint that works well in cold climates, and during the summer, we choose warm-weather paint. 

Additionally, we schedule painting sessions to mitigate problems like too much direct sunlight or worker exhaustion. If necessary, we may put more painters on a project so they can rotate more frequently to avoid safety issues. 

Humidity Effects on Exterior Painting

As the saying goes, it’s not the heat that gets you, but the humidity. Kansas City can get quite humid during the summer, which creates a unique challenge for exterior painting. The main problem is that excess moisture in the air causes the paint to run, leading to extended drying times. 

Another issue is that moisture can get trapped in the paint, leading to mold growth. If this happens, you’ll have to remove those paint sections and get them redone, increasing the project’s time and budget. 

Finally, humidity can create a moisture layer between the building’s surface and the paint, meaning less adhesion and improper drying and curing. That’s not even to mention how the humidity affects workers, especially when temperatures are soaring. 

To minimize the impact of humidity, we pay attention to projected moisture levels and schedule accordingly. We may also use fans and other devices to ensure the surface is fully dry before painting and that the paint dries quickly and evenly. 

Impact of Rain on Large-Scale Painting

Rain is probably the most destructive weather element for exterior commercial painting projects. As a general rule, all painting must be able to dry for at least two hours to avoid running and adhesion problems. So, even if it’s not raining while painters are working, if a storm occurs too soon, it can ruin an entire day’s work. 

On average, Kansas City gets about 100 days of measurable rain throughout the year, so we must plan accordingly. However, we also recognize that just because rain is projected in the forecast doesn’t mean it will, nor does a clear forecast mean there will be no precipitation. 

So, to avoid expensive delays, we’re proactive about scheduling and take steps to preserve any work we’ve done so it won’t get ruined by a sudden drizzle or rainstorm. We understand that time is money, so you can’t afford extended setbacks. 

Don’t Forget About the Trees

Overall, the biggest seasonal challenges we face are related to temperature and weather. However, if your commercial building has trees next to it, we must also factor them into our plan. 

For example, spring is when most trees shed pollen, which can stick to building surfaces and paint. Similarly, if trees are close to the building, they may be in the way, especially during the spring and summer, when they’re in full bloom. 

When is the Best Season for Exterior Industrial Painting?

As a rule, the best seasons for exterior commercial painting are spring and fall, as long as the temperature stays within a moderate range. However, if you need your building painted outside of those seasons, Luke Kush Painting has you covered. Because of our impeccable planning and preparation, the difference between summer vs. winter industrial painting is negligible because we can adapt to seasonal challenges so well. 

Let Luke Kush Painting Handle Your Exterior Industrial Painting Project

No matter the season, Luke Kush Painting is ready to paint your commercial or industrial building. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let’s beautify your business!