Key takeaways
- Keep the room at a steady, moderate temperature.
- Dry winter air speeds drying.
- Ventilate in short bursts without chilling the room.
Why it is a good time
Calendars are often freer in winter and indoor work is not limited by weather. Heated air is usually drier, which helps paint dry.
Temperature and drying
- Keep a steady temperature, within the range on the can.
- Avoid turning the heat off at night during the work.
- Avoid sharp temperature swings on cold exterior walls.
Ventilate without chilling
Open windows for a few minutes several times a day to refresh the air, then close them. Low-VOC paints reduce odour when ventilation is limited.
Protect the occupants
Plan a place to sleep for painted bedrooms and keep children and pets away during application and drying.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you paint a cold exterior wall from the inside?
- Yes, but keep the room steadily heated: a very cold wall slows drying and hurts adhesion.
- Is winter humidity a problem?
- The air is generally dry, but a very damp room (kitchen, bathroom) needs good ventilation.
