Halloween Exteriors

Blue Door Painters Gets You Ready for Washington, DC’s Spookiest Evening

With the trees turning colors, the lively pumpkin patches, and all the fun decorations populating local drugstores and neighborhood stoops, Halloween is the spookiest – and, for many in Washington, DC, the most fun – day of the year.  In this entry, Blue Door Painters offers advice on how to prepare your exterior for the pinnacle of autumn festivities – and how to get your home back to normal when the dust settles and the monsters curl up into their winter hibernation.

Many neighborhoods in Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Montgomery County, Maryland, display great pride in setting up their front yards for the hordes of children who come out to trick-or-treat on Halloween evening.  It can be the perfect opportunity to show off your exterior; some new landscaping and a spruced-up deck or exterior paint job looks great highlighted by a couple of well-carved pumpkins.  This is a great season to get some work done on your exterior, as well.  The spring and summer rush is over so us contractors are a little less swamped, and the next six weeks are your last opportunity before the weather turns unfavorable.

Here are some suggestions for work to get done on your exterior in mid – to late October:

1) Pressure-washing.  Before the leaves start falling in earnest, pressure washing your deck, fence, or exterior siding can give your outdoor space some sparkle that will lend dignity to all of the upcoming seasonal festivities.  Follow up the pressure-washing with a weatherproof stain and/or sealant, and you will also give your exterior some extra protection from the Washington, DC winter weather.  A freshly stained deck can take some spilled candy, candle wax, and pumpkin rind, no problem!

2) Staining/Sealing.  As mentioned above, following a good pressure wash, staining and sealing is a great way to beautify your outdoor space, and give it weatherproofing for the hard months to come.  Try picking rich, warm stain colors that harmonize with the turning trees in your neighborhood – and listen to your neighbors ooh and ahh when the leaves start really falling in November!

3) Exterior Painting.  A fresh paint job, whether it is of the entire exterior, or just some lively trim, is a great way to give your home autumn curb appeal – and even a new look, if you’re ready for it!  You would be surprised how much a simple color change on the trim around your windows and doors can change the look and feel of your front yard.  Even if you aren’t ready for a color change, freshening up the paint makes your home look newer and cleaner (vital for anyone trying to rent or sell during the autumn months), and with all the attention your spooky decorations are going to bring, that extra sparkle will really count!

4) Landscaping.  You don’t want to be hanging your decorations up on tangled trees or putting graves on a disheveled lawn (unless, of course, you’re going for that look).  Get your landscaping freshened up – lawn mowed, fall plants securely planted, mulch and gravel replaced – and your home will not only look nicer, it will be better prepared for both the trick-or-treaters, and the winter weather.

So give us a call if you want some help making your exterior worthy of the attention it’s going to get this Halloween – and don’t forget to buy your candy, carve your pumpkins, and turn your outdoor lights on!