This is a local voices post by William Carr. He writes about various home improvement projects for Daniel Fox Roofing Co., Inc.

The weather in each part of the country has a significant effect on how house painting contractors go about their business. New England is an area that sees the extremes of all four seasons. New England states get summer temperatures in the 100 degree range with high humidity, and then four months later the weather turns to below zero degrees and snow. Painting a house in New England is not easy. As you start your painting project on your New England home, there are a few things you have to keep in mind.

Expansion and Contraction

The temperature swings in the New England area cause wood to expand and contract significantly. If you do not use the right kind of paint, then your paint will start to peel and crack. This is where having the right kind of paint along with using a good primer is extremely important. A latex paint is often recommended because of its ability to move with the change in seasons, but it is always a good idea to talk with the paint store associate and get the right kind of paint for your home. The kind of wood you have on your home and your exposure to the elements is a significant part of your paint choices.

Moisture

People often have the impression that paint can withstand anything once it is dry. When it comes to New England weather, your paint needs to be able to tolerate a lot. Moisture in New England comes in the form of humidity, rain, snow and ice. When you mix heat and humidity together, you get a combination that can be a problem for many kinds of paints. That is why you need to talk to someone who is familiar with the right kinds of paints to handle the moisture in the New England air.

Primer

Some people will try to cut down on the time it takes to paint their home either by leaving out the primer or by using a paint that is supposed to have primer mixed in. The weather in New England does not take short cuts when it comes to delivering challenges to your home's exterior, and that is why you should not take short cuts when painting your home. There are specific kinds of primer that work well in the challenging weather conditions found in New England. Discuss with an expert on whether or not you should use two coats of primer and what the most effective way for applying that primer to your New England home would be.