We paint the outside of houses all over Dublin: rendered and pebbledashed walls, fascias and soffits, windows, front doors, railings and gutters. Original Dublin Painter is run by Alex, who has 20+ years on Dublin homes, and exterior painting is the work where that experience matters most. Our weather is wet, windy and, near the coast, salty. Paint that goes onto a dirty or damp wall will be flaking by the second winter, so most of our time on an exterior job goes into the washing, repairs and priming you never see. Every job is fully guaranteed, we clean up at the end of each day, and it starts with a free, no-obligation on-site quote.
A good exterior repaint does two jobs. It makes the house look cared for from the street, and it seals the render, timber and metal against water. Get the second part wrong and the first part won’t last.
What our exterior painting service covers
We handle the full outside of a property and match the coating to each surface:
- Render, pebbledash and masonry: breathable masonry paints that let walls release moisture instead of trapping it.
- Timber fascias, soffits, bargeboards and doors: sanded, primed and finished to resist swelling and peeling.
- Windows and frames: clean, sharp lines in hard-wearing exterior gloss or satinwood.
- Front doors and garage doors: a new colour on the door is often the cheapest big lift to a house. See our front door painting page for more.
- Railings, gates and metalwork: rust treated, primed and coated to hold up against the weather.
- Gutters, downpipes and trim: the details that make the whole job look finished.
It can be a full house exterior, a tired front elevation, or just the woodwork and trim. We scope it on site so you know exactly what’s included before we start.
Painting render, pebbledash and brick
Most Dublin houses are one of three finishes outside, and each needs different handling.
- Smooth or sand-and-cement render. Hairline cracks are raked out and filled, the wall is washed down and treated for green algae, then it gets two coats of masonry paint. Any hollow or blown render is flagged at the quote stage so it can be repaired first.
- Pebbledash (dashing). The rough texture eats paint and hides missed spots, so it has to be worked in properly by brush and roller or spray. Loose stones and patched areas are sorted before painting so the finish looks even.
- Brick. Painted brick can be repainted in a breathable masonry paint. Bare facing brick that has never been painted is a different decision, because once it’s painted it needs repainting for good. We’ll talk you through it honestly rather than just paint it.
If the house needs the walls sprayed rather than rolled, our exterior and interior spray painting team covers that.
Exterior paints we use and why
We don’t use one tin for the whole house. As a rule:
| Surface | What goes on it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Render & pebbledash | Breathable exterior masonry paint | Lets damp out, resists algae and fading |
| Timber (fascias, soffits, doors, windows) | Primer/undercoat, then exterior gloss or satin | Moves with the wood, sheds water |
| Metal (railings, gates) | Rust treatment, metal primer, exterior topcoat | Stops rust bleeding back through |
| Previously painted uPVC or composite | Bonding primer and a suitable topcoat | Standard paint won’t grip a slick surface |
We’ll recommend a colour and finish that suits the house and the street, and we’re happy to work from a colour you’ve already picked.
Our preparation and process
Most exterior paint failures come from skipped preparation, not cheap paint. Our process runs in clear stages:
- Thorough cleaning. We wash down walls and surfaces to strip away dirt, mildew, moss and any flaking or failing paint so the new coating bonds to a sound surface.
- Repair and make good. Cracks, gaps and damaged render are filled and made good. Bare timber and metal are treated before anything else goes on.
- Priming and sealing. Surfaces are primed and sealed where needed so the topcoats grip and last.
- Protecting your property. Windows, paths, planting and fixtures are masked and covered so drips and overspray never become your problem.
- Careful application. Coats go on by hand, or by spray where it suits the surface, building an even film with no runs or thin patches.
- A proper clean-up. We remove all materials, sheeting and debris and leave the property tidy. It’s one of the things Dublin homeowners mention most in our reviews.
How long does exterior house painting take?
For a typical 3-bed semi-detached house in Dublin, the outside usually takes 3 to 5 working days, weather permitting. Heavy prep, a lot of timber, period detailing or a run of wet days will stretch that. We give you a realistic timeline with the quote and keep you posted if the weather moves things.
How much does exterior painting cost in Dublin?
As a guide, most Dublin terraced houses come in between €1,200 and €2,500 for the outside, semi-detached homes between €1,800 and €3,800, and detached houses from around €2,500 upwards depending on size. Those figures normally include washing down, minor repairs, priming where needed and two coats of masonry paint. The full breakdown by house type is in our guide to the cost of painting a house in Dublin, and your on-site quote will give you a fixed price for your house.
When is the best time to paint the outside of a house in Dublin?
May to September is the best window: steadier weather, lower humidity, longer days and better drying. Outside those months we can still work given a run of dry days and temperatures above about 8°C. The summer slots fill up early, so if you want it done in June or July it’s worth booking in the spring.
Why choose Original Dublin Painter for exterior painting
- 20+ years of local experience. Alex and the team know how Dublin homes weather and which coatings actually hold up on the east coast.
- Rated 4.9★ from 159 Google reviews. Homeowners keep mentioning that we’re tidy, punctual and easy to deal with.
- Fully guaranteed work. We stand behind every finish.
- The right materials for the surface. Masonry paint on the walls, proper timber and metal systems on the rest.
- Fair, transparent quotes. Your free on-site estimate spells out the full scope and price up front.
Exterior work often leads on to the inside. Plenty of clients follow an outside repaint with interior painting, and if you want the whole place done in one booking, see our house painting service. For wallpaper, repairs and general decorating, our painters and decorators page has the detail.
Exterior house painters, from the coast to west Dublin
We cover all of Co. Dublin, along with Kildare, Meath, parts of Wicklow and Co. Louth. We’ve painted exteriors on the coast in Howth, Malahide, Dún Laoghaire and Blackrock, across North County Dublin and Swords, and out west in Dublin 15 and Lucan, as well as Skerries, Portmarnock, Raheny, Sandymount, Donnybrook, Ranelagh, Rathmines, Rathfarnham and Ballsbridge. If you’re not sure whether we reach you, just ask.
FAQs
How long does an exterior paint job last in Dublin’s climate?
With proper preparation and good masonry and exterior paints, a professional exterior finish holds up for many years, even against Irish rain and coastal weather. The biggest factor is prep, which is why we never rush the cleaning, repair and priming stages.
Can you just paint over old exterior paint?
Only if it’s sound. Paint that’s flaking, chalky or covered in algae has to be washed, scraped back and treated first, or the new coat will lift with the old one. Where the old paint is firmly stuck, a clean and a primer where needed is usually enough. We check this on site and tell you which it is.
Can you paint pebbledash?
Yes. It’s one of the most common wall finishes on Dublin houses. Pebbledash takes more paint and more time than smooth render because of the texture, so it’s priced accordingly, but it takes masonry paint well once it’s clean and any loose patches are fixed.
Do you handle the preparation and repairs, or just the painting?
We handle everything: washing down, treating mildew, filling cracks, making good damaged render, and priming bare timber and metal. A lasting finish depends on it.
Is the quote really free, and is there any obligation?
Yes. We provide a free, no-obligation on-site quote so we can assess the surfaces properly and give you an accurate, transparent price with no pressure to go ahead. Get a free quote or call 087 788 5040 to arrange a visit.
