The Question Every Michigan Homeowner Asks in May
If you’ve made it through another Michigan winter, you’ve probably been staring at faded siding or a tired-looking front door for months. Spring is finally here — but is the weather actually right to start painting? After 25+ years painting homes across Farmington Hills, Novi, and the rest of Metro Detroit, here’s the honest answer.
The Numbers That Matter
Most exterior paint manufacturers — Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr — recommend painting when:
- Air temperature is between 50°F and 85°F
- Surface temperature stays above 50°F for at least 24 hours
- Humidity is below 70%
- No rain in the forecast for 24–48 hours after application
In Metro Detroit, that “sweet spot” usually opens up in mid-May and runs through early October. Late April projects are sometimes possible, but cold nights can ruin a perfectly good paint job — even if the daytime temperature looked fine.
Why Cold Surfaces Wreck Paint Jobs
Here’s what most homeowners don’t realize: it’s not the air temperature that matters most — it’s the surface temperature. North-facing walls in Bloomfield Hills or West Bloomfield can stay 10–15°F cooler than the air well into May. Paint applied to a cold surface won’t bond properly. Within a year, you’ll see peeling, cracking, or color inconsistencies.
That’s why our crews always check surface temperature with an infrared thermometer before starting an exterior project — not just the weather app.
What About Interior Painting?
Good news: interior painting works year-round, but spring has a clear advantage. You can open windows for ventilation, paint dries faster with lower humidity, and there’s no risk of trapping moisture or VOCs the way you might in a sealed-up winter house. Spring is the most popular time for interior projects in Royal Oak and Birmingham homes — usually kitchens, living rooms, and main hallways.
Spring Schedules Fill Up Fast
Every May, we book out 3–5 weeks in advance for exterior projects. The homeowners who get the best dates (and the best weather windows) are the ones who reach out in late winter or very early spring. If you’re reading this in mid-May and want exterior work done before July 4th, now is the time to call.
Signs You Should Wait Until Late May or June
- Overnight lows still dropping into the 30s
- Persistent rainy stretches (more than 2 days a week)
- Wood siding that’s still wet from snow melt or spring storms
- Mold or mildew that needs to be treated and fully dried first
Get Your Free Spring Estimate
Broadway Painting Solutions is booking spring exterior projects throughout Metro Detroit — including Northville, Plymouth, Livonia, and surrounding areas. Estimates are free and there’s no pressure.
Call (248) 839-8160 or request an estimate online. We’ll come out, walk the property, and give you an honest answer on timing — even if that answer is “wait two weeks.”