Being hired to do an exterior painting project is the perfect time to discover other outdoor projects while you are on the job. We’ve got the pointers and products you need to make the best recommendations.
We’ve listed six of the most in-demand exterior projects for homeowners. Each potential project can help you prepare for a conversation with your client, streamline your product recommendations and estimates, and ultimately lock down additional exterior project business.
How Can Your Benjamin Moore Contractor Rep Help Your Business?
A full assessment of the exterior project—and making a well-informed recommendation—is critical. While some exterior projects may be well within your area of expertise, others may not be. Good news: Support is ready and waiting from your local Benjamin Moore Contractor Rep, who is always available to help you expand your business.
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Decks
Most homeowners have their decks refinished every 2-3 years, making for a lucrative piece of repeat business. Preparation is at the core of a successful deck refinishing job. Weather is also crucial: 48-hours free of rain is essential to any deck project’s success.
RECOMMENDATION
Choose the Right Product for Prepping
- New Wood: Use Woodluxe® Wood Brightener & Neutralizer; scrub this product into the wood and power wash the surface, letting it dry for 48 hours, then sand the deck with 80-grit sandpaper.
- Weathered Wood: Apply Woodluxe® Wood Restorer with a stiff brush to clean the dingy gray layer. Rinse the deck down and apply Woodluxe Wood Brightener & Neutralizer and follow the steps for new wood.
- Flaking & Peeling Wood: Apply Woodluxe® Wood Remover to get rid of the old stain. Rinse the deck down, apply Woodluxe Wood Brightener & Neutralizer and follow the steps for New Wood.
Decking Colour Options
Your client can let the grain of the wood take prominence or use colour in creative ways with Woodluxe® opacities and paint colour options include:
- 7 Translucent shades (Natural, Redwood, Teak, Cedar, Mahogany, Chestnut Brown, Bleached Gray)
- 75 Semi Transparent and Semi Solid colours
- Solid stain in the full Benjamin Moore portfolio of 3,500+ colours
Fencing
To enhance the aesthetic appeal of your clients’ home, even their fencing should be in great condition. From staining to painting to maintaining, your Benjamin Moore Contractor Rep can suggest a range of fence painting ideas, as well as tips for staining and maintaining high quality wood fencing. White, gray and green paint colours are homeowner favorites.
RECOMMENDATION
For raw or bare wood, prime the surface first with Fresh Start® Exterior Wood Primer K094 or Fresh Start® Moorwhite® Exterior Wood Primer K100.
If the fence paint is simply faded and doesn’t need primer, start by doing a thorough cleaning. Then apply two coats of high quality exterior paint options like Regal® Select Exterior High Build, which offers superior coverage and fewer coats. If your client wants to showcase the fence's natural wood grain, Woodluxe® Exterior Stain offer a wide range of colours and opacities to choose from that withstand even the harshest weather conditions. See “Decks” above for more insights on what Woodluxehas to offer.
Your clients can keep their fences fresh with Woodluxe All-in-One Wood Cleaner, an ideal product for annual maintenance cleaning to remove mold, mildew and water stains.
Window Trim Painting
With an innate demand for heavy prep work and detailed craftsmanship, painting window trim is a job for the experts. From removing peeling paint, caulking and glazing from windows (and then replacing it) to expertly painting window frames, your clients’ investment in upgrading their exterior windows is invaluable.
RECOMMENDATION
For bare, raw wood outside, always prime the surface first with Fresh Start® Exterior Wood Primer K094 or Fresh Start® Moorwhite® Exterior Wood Primer K100.
With its high-build formula and Colour LockTM technology, premium Aura® Exterior Paint helps exterior paint colours stay true over time and offers superior fade resistance and outstanding durability-perfect for window sills that bear the brunt of weather extremes.
Front Door
Does your client’s front door look like it needs a pick-me-up? Since repainting a front door is one of the fastest and most satisfying ways to refresh a home’s exterior, it makes for an easy pitch. Brilliant, rich colour accented with updated door hardware help foster a warm welcome—not to mention enhance their home’s curb appeal.
RECOMMENDATION
Let your client know that you’ll use a product formulated to resist fading and stand up to the elements including rain, snow, wind and UV damage—while providing gorgeous rich colour that stands the test of time: Aura® Exterior paint provides these features and much more; recommend a satin or soft gloss finish for a rich, lustrous look. While all Benjamin Moore exterior paints are formulated for excellent performance in all types of weather, Aura Exterior paint truly sets front door painting projects.
Check out this How to Paint a Front Door video for expert guidance and tips.
Concrete Patio & Pool Decking
Maintaining concrete patios is another route to repeat business. You can help your client’s concrete and cement look great with specialty concrete coating products. Does your client have concrete around the pool? An anti-slip coating provides the just-right solution for that setting too.
RECOMMENDATION
Insl-x® TuffCrete® Waterborne Acrylic Concrete Stain is designed for application to interior or exterior masonry surfaces and offers great durability. Perfect for sidewalks, courtyards and walkways.
Sure Step® Acrylic Anti-Slip Coating provides a durable, skid-resistant finish for interior or exterior application. Imparts excellent colour retention, abrasion resistance, and resistance to ponding water.
Pool Paint & Fountains
Swimming pool resurfacing and refinishing can be tricky since you need to choose a product based on your client’s specific kind of swimming pool. If this area is new to you, be sure to reach out to your local Benjamin Moore Contractor Rep who can help with swimming pool paint tips, expert insights and much more.
RECOMMENDATION
Insl-X® Pool Paints offer a variety of solutions for different swimming pools. Products include epoxy, rubber-based and waterborne formulas, all of which deliver exceptional durability over a variety of existing swimming pool surfaces and fountains.