The Basics of Exterior Commercial Painting

November 21, 2024

Why should you consider investing in a new coat of paint for your commercial property?

First of all, your property values will stay stable, and hopefully increase. Curb appeal matters for commercial properties as much as residential properties. 

Second, it will keep your tenants happy. A fresh-looking paint job can bring in more customers, as the state of the building has an effect on whether they view the business to be trustworthy and credible or not. 

Read on for our guide to the basics of exterior commercial painting. This guide will help you understand the key factors of a commercial painting project, and the basics of choosing an exterior commercial painting company.

Want to learn more about our process for commercial painting projects? Check out the Our Process page to see what sets Pro Works apart.

When Is It Time To Start Your Next Commercial Painting Project?

There will always be a lot of factors at play when deciding when to schedule your commercial painting project.

Money will be the main consideration for many property owners. But we are here to help you plan ahead for when your building will need work. 

In the commercial painting industry, many pros will tell you to repaint your property every five years. However, there are many factors that could shorten or lengthen this time frame.

In addition, local weather patterns will impact when painting is ideal, or even possible. 

How Weather Affects Your Project

For a summary of the effects of weather on your painting project, check out the graphic at the end of this section.

Sun

Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun can fade and bleach your commercial paint job. Sunlight can also result in coating degradation, depending on the type of resin that is present in the coatings. This short article in the Paint and Coatings Industry blog goes into the science of how this works. 

Sunlight will have a greater effect on commercial painting projects in Saskatoon, Edmonton, and other sunny locations compared to Vancouver. Here is a list of the sunniest cities in Canada.

The bottom line is: ask about paint longevity when you are getting a quote for your next commercial paint job.  

Rain

Rain can also have a significant effect on the longevity of your paint. You may need to spend more on a “weather-proof” paint, which may take more time to dry, but will last longer in your climate. Canadian cities like Vancouver and Abbotsford receive some of the most rain every year

You cannot paint when it is raining, as wet surfaces will wash away your team’s hard work

Humidity

High humidity levels can be problematic for the paint drying process. Humidity makes it difficult for moisture in the paint to escape, leading to longer drying times, poor adhesion, and a shorter lifespan.

Wood surface areas are particularly difficult, as moisture is absorbed into the wood, which could cause paint to bubble. Humidity levels over 85% are particularly damaging, so painting should not be done on these days.

Wind 

Although wind has a limited impact on exterior paint once it dries, it is a serious weather condition to consider during the painting process.

A light wind can help your paint dry faster, but a strong breeze can blow dust and debris onto the paint. This results in an unsmooth surface, or even blows wet paint off the surface entirely, leaving a mess on nearby objects.

Just ask Pro Works painters in Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Calgary – wind can be a major issue for exterior painting projects. 

Be sure to ask your painting contractor how they prepare for windy conditions, and what level of wind can cause them to stop work entirely. 

The Effects of Weather on Commercial Painting: At a Glance

Other Considerations For Project Timing

When you are asking around for project timelines, be prepared to see a range.

Commercial-focused painting companies will have better access to equipment like cherry-picker cranes and scaffolding, along with larger teams which can complete jobs quickly.

Also, try to consider what times of year there are fewer people in your commercial building (like summer vacation), so that there is less interference with the operations of your tenants. 

Choosing the Right Colour

We won’t get too much into the details of choosing the right colour here, since we have other blog posts that go into much greater detail.

However, we will share why this step of the process matters: the right colour scheme makes a great first impression for customers, and can improve the credibility of the company’s brand

Here are some other points to consider.

  • A building painted in vibrant colours (think greens, reds, etc.) will need to be repainted more often
  • Deeper colours can fade away quickly on the sunnier side of a building, which will contrast with other surfaces
  • Consider the surrounding area. Certain industrial parks and historic districts will have guidelines or mandatory colour palettes that must be followed.

Looking to spruce up your commercial building’s colour scheme? An accent wall is an effective way to add flair to your commercial space, providing contrast without needing to add details throughout the exterior of the building.

If you are looking for a bolder way to add colour, consider mural programs offered by your local municipality, which support local artists and communities by painting murals in commercial and industrial districts.

What The Best Painting Contractors Do Well

As you look around for the right painting company to take on your exterior commercial painting project, keep the following points in mind.

Check for online reviews that show the company following these best practices, and take note during your initial call, consultations, and throughout the remaining process.

Proactive Communication

A project startup meeting with all stakeholders in attendance is an essential step of the process.

Make sure to touch on the following topics to ensure that everyone is on the same page once work begins.

  • Acceptable working hours
  • Site organization (including parking, materials storage, and restroom facilities)
  • Projected project duration
  • Schedule for updates on project progress
  • Communication methods (email, phone calls, text messages) and frequency
  • Avoiding interference with building tenants
  • Potential delays due to weather, labour, and materials
  • Project wrap-up procedures and inspection
  • Warranty details for paint, labour, and materials 

Respect for Safety Standards

A reputable painting company will prioritize safety for their employees, and for anyone around the commercial building being worked on. 

The following safety methods should be visible to a passerby. If any of these are lacking, consider it a major red flag.

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): hardhats, safety glasses, gloves, CSA work boots, and respiratory equipment
  • Ladders, scaffolding, and tool use in a safe manner
  • Proper disposal of hazardous waste

These safety methods may not be as obvious, but are worth asking about when hiring a painting contractor.

  • Adequate safety training and emergency preparedness for all employees
  • Hydration and breaks, especially during periods of extreme heat

Licensing and Insurance

A trustworthy painting company should possess a valid business license and commercial general liability insurance. Specialized "painters insurance" offers liability coverage for property damage, project-related errors, or worker injuries.

Unfortunately, some painting contractors may misrepresent their insurance coverage. As a prospective client, you have the right to verify their coverage by contacting their insurance provider directly to ensure they have an active policy.

Online Reviews

Look for painting companies with at least 20 reviews on Google, and take note of the quality of these reviews (detailed explanations from profiles that seem like real people are the best bet). Also, trustworthy companies will respond to negative reviews in a professional manner, and offer to make amends for any problems that are identified.

Other rating and review sources like the Better Business Bureau and HomeStars are useful sources. Membership in local trade and chamber of commerce organizations is another plus.

Adequate Preparation

The best painting contractors are just as concerned with proper prep work as they are with painting.

Painting prep for exterior commercial projects can include cleaning, pressure washing, sanding, surface repair, and priming. Even the most expensive paint will look bad if these steps aren’t done properly.

But as a customer, how can you know that your painting company is committed to a rigorous preparation procedure? Look out for the following signs during the process.

  • The inspection: Ensure that the building surface inspection doesn’t feel rushed, and includes looking at problem areas like windows, gutters, and downspouts. 
  • Surface cleaning methods: Ask whether your building surfaces are too sensitive for a pressure washer, and may be better cleaned with air blasting or vapour abrasive blasting
  • Concrete considerations: Did your painting contractor ask about the age of your concrete wall. If they did, it means they know that old concrete reacts differently than new, and their process will result in a smooth finish.

Warranties

1-5 year warranties are common in the exterior commercial painting industry, and anything longer than that is a cause for concern.

As an example, Pro Works provides a comprehensive 3 year warranty on all paint, labour, and materials.

Be sure to read the fine print on your warranty, to check what is covered, and whether contractors will review a warranty prior to expiration, or if issues must be brought to the contractor’s attention independently. 

Understanding the Cost of Your Project

The average cost to paint the exterior of a commercial building will come from several factors.

  • Building size and features: Obviously, larger buildings cost more to paint. Architectural features and surface types will add to the final cost.
  • Condition of the surface: Prep work is essential, and a building in bad shape will result in higher costs. 
  • Paint quality: Specialized paints (like weather-resistant varieties) are more expensive, but will last longer.
  • Clean up and disposal: A thorough cleanup when the project is completed is part of a job well done.
  • Labour costs: A common area where companies skimp on costs. Subcontracting and inexperienced labour can result in a poor final product.

Be sure to source at least one quote from reputable local painters so that you know what the range really looks like.

The Next Steps For Your Exterior Commercial Painting Project

We have covered many of the best practices and basics of exterior commercial painting projects. Hopefully this gives you the knowledge you need to be informed when deciding which painting company is right for you.

Still have questions? Check out our FAQ page, and the rest of our blog, especially our posts relating to commercial painting projects.

If you are in a location where Pro Works Painting operates, like Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary, and several other cities in Western Canada, then give us a try! 

We offer complimentary estimates in all your painting needs and commercial spaces.

Choose Pro Works. Choose a partner dedicated to realizing your vision with precision and care.