Living in Central Florida means we enjoy beautiful sunshine year-round, but that same sun can be brutal on our homes. If you have noticed your curb appeal fading, you might be planning a refresh. When it comes to exterior painting in Orlando Florida, homeowners often ask us one big question: Is it better to spray the paint on or use a brush and roller?
The answer isn't always black and white. It depends on your home’s siding, your budget, and the specific finish you want. We have helped folks from Winter Park to Lake Nona get their homes looking brand new, and we know that the right method makes all the difference.
Here is a breakdown of spraying versus brushing to help you decide what is right for your home.
Have you ever tried to paint a wicker chair with a brush? It is a nightmare. Spraying is like a magic wand for textured surfaces.
Speed and Efficiency
Spraying is significantly faster than brushing. For large surface areas, specifically the stucco homes we see all over neighborhoods like Windermere and Oviedo, a sprayer can cover a wall in a fraction of the time it takes to roll it. This efficiency can sometimes lower labor costs because the crew spends fewer hours on the job.
Smooth Finish
When done correctly by a professional, spraying provides a factory-like finish. There are no brush marks or roller stipple (that orange-peel texture). It looks clean, uniform, and modern.
Coverage on Texture
Central Florida homes often feature heavy stucco textures. A sprayer atomizes the paint, forcing it into every tiny nook and cranny that a roller might miss. This ensures a watertight seal, which is vital for exterior painting in Orlando Florida.
Spraying requires extensive prep work. Windows, doors, and landscaping must be masked off perfectly to prevent overspray. On a windy day—which we get plenty of during storm season—spraying can be risky without the right precautions.
If spraying is so fast, why do painters still use brushes? Think of brushing as the precision tool in the toolbox.
Superior Adhesion
When you use a brush or roller, you physically push the paint into the surface. This creates a strong mechanical bond. For wood siding or peeling surfaces that have been scraped down, back-rolling (rolling over wet paint) forces the material into the fibers for better durability.
Control and Precision
You don't need to wrap your entire house in plastic to use a brush. This method is ideal for detailed trim work, intricate architecture, or painting on windy days when spraying isn't an option. Just like with interior painting, where you need to be careful around furniture and floors, brushing exterior trim allows for a sharp, clean line without the mess.
Thicker Coverage
A roller typically applies a thicker coat of paint in a single pass than a sprayer does. While sprayers can build up thickness, it requires a skilled hand to avoid runs and sags.
This is the factor most people overlook. Painting in Ohio is not the same as painting in Osceola County. Our weather dictates how we work.
Humidity and Drying Time
Orlando averages temperatures of 90-95°F with 70-80% humidity in the summer. High humidity slows down drying times. If paint is sprayed too thick in humid conditions, it might sag or dry unevenly. A professional knows exactly how to adjust their technique for the weather.
Rain and Storms
We get over 50 inches of rain a year—more than Seattle! During the rainy season (June through September), afternoon thunderstorms are almost a guarantee. Brushing and rolling can sometimes be safer in unpredictable weather windows because there is less equipment to set up and break down quickly if a storm rolls in over I-4.
Cost Considerations
Generally, spraying is more economical for large, open wall spaces due to the speed. However, if your home has elaborate landscaping or is very close to a neighbor's house, the time spent masking everything off might balance out the speed of spraying. According to national averages, professional exterior painting generally ranges from $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot, but in Florida, tough stucco and heat constraints can influence the final quote.
For most exterior painting in Orlando Florida, the "winner" is actually a combination of both.
The gold standard for high-quality exterior work usually looks like this:
This hybrid approach gives you the speed and finish of spraying with the durability and control of brushing. It is the best way to ensure your home stands up to the intense UV rays and heavy rains we face here in Central Florida.
Your home is likely your biggest investment, and protecting it from the elements is a job for professionals. Whether your home needs a full spray application or detailed brush work, we have the tools and the local know-how to get it done right.
Contact Rusty’s Painting today at (407) 312-4803 to schedule your consultation. Let’s make your home the best-looking one on the block.