Exterior Painting in Edinburgh
Edinburgh weather is hard on paint: wind-driven rain, freeze-thaw winters and salty air near the coast at Leith and Portobello. A good exterior job is mostly about preparation and choosing the right coating for each surface. A quick coat over flaking paint won't last.
We're Edinburgh Painting Specialists, a small, family-run firm based in Granton. We paint the outside of houses, villas, tenements and shops across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
What we paint outside
Masonry, render, harling and stone
We paint render, harling, brick and previously painted stone. We use masonry paints suited to the surface. Older buildings in particular need breathable coatings, which let moisture out rather than trapping it. Bare natural sandstone usually shouldn't be painted at all, and we'll tell you honestly if that applies to your building.
Front doors, window frames and sills
A well-painted front door makes a big difference to how a house looks. We prepare, repair and repaint doors, frames and sills in durable exterior finishes. For traditional timber windows, see our dedicated sash and case window painting page.
Fascias, soffits, gutters and downpipes
We repaint timber fascias and soffits, and treat and repaint metal gutters, downpipes and railings so they stay protected and look sharp.
Fences, gates, decking and garden woodwork
We paint or stain fences, gates, sheds, pergolas and decking with exterior products made for heavy use and Scottish weather.
Preparation for Scottish weather
Washing down and removing loose and flaking paint
Filling cracks and repairing damaged surfaces and timber
Priming bare wood and metal before top coats
Painting only in suitable conditions. Most exterior paints need dry weather and a minimum temperature to cure, so we plan around the forecast. More in our blog post on how Edinburgh's weather affects your paint
Scaffolding and access
For upper floors and taller buildings, safe access is planned as part of the job, and we'll explain what's needed when we quote. If your building is a tenement, the outside is usually shared, so see our tenement and common stair painting page for how we work with neighbours and factors.
Listed buildings and conservation areas
Large parts of Edinburgh are conservation areas, and many buildings are listed. Repainting in the same colour is usually straightforward. Changing colours or materials on a listed building or in some conservation areas may need permission from the City of Edinburgh Council. We'll flag this when we quote, and you can check with the council's planning team before work starts. To see whether your building is listed or in a conservation area, use the City of Edinburgh Council's listed buildings and conservation areas page. Historic Environment Scotland explains what listing means.
What our customers say
"Over the last 3 years they have repainted all our interiors and exteriors including 21 sash and case windows." (Google review)
We have 5-star reviews on Google.
Frequently asked questions
How much does exterior painting cost?
Our quotes are free, and we always look at the property first. The cost depends on the size and height of the building, what the surfaces are made of, their condition and how much repair is needed, the access required (ladders, towers or scaffolding), and the products used. We'll give you a clear written quote that lists what's included, so there are no surprises.
When is the best time of year for exterior painting in Edinburgh?
Late spring to early autumn is usually best, because paint needs dry weather and a minimum temperature to cure properly. We can sometimes work in milder spells outside those months. We plan around the forecast and won't paint in conditions that would spoil the finish. Popular summer dates fill up, so it's worth getting in touch early in the year.
How long does exterior paint last?
It depends on the surface, the product and how exposed the wall or woodwork is. South- and west-facing elevations take the most weather. Thorough preparation and the right coating make the biggest difference to how long it lasts. When we quote, we'll explain what to expect for your property and what simple maintenance helps a paint job last longer.
Can you paint stone or harled walls?
Yes, we paint render, harling and previously painted masonry using products suited to each surface. With older buildings we choose breathable coatings so moisture isn't trapped. Untreated natural sandstone is a different matter. Painting it can cause damage and may need permission, so we'll give you honest advice on whether painting is the right choice.
Do I need permission to repaint the outside of my house?
Repainting in the same colour usually doesn't need permission. If your building is listed, or in a conservation area with extra controls, changing the colour or finish may need consent from the City of Edinburgh Council. In a tenement, shared exteriors also need agreement from the other owners. We'll flag anything we spot when we quote.
What access do you need for high work?
It depends on the height of the building and the surfaces being painted. Lower work is usually done from ladders and small platforms. Where a job needs scaffolding or access towers, we'll explain the access required in your written quote, including how long it will be in place, before the job starts.
Get your free quote
Tell us about your project and we'll arrange a time to come and look. Call or text us on 07514 665726 or email info@edinburghpaintingspecialists.com. We recommend booking 3–4 weeks ahead.