Tackling your own paint projects, especially on your home, can be a huge challenge. Painting a house isn’t like painting a picnic table– it’s an involved, time-consuming project that can go very wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Exterior painting tools can make house paint projects go a lot faster and a lot easier. Getting all of the tools, though, can be problematic if you’ve never had to buy them before. To help you out, here’s a rundown of what you’ll need and how much each tool costs.

Types and Costs Of Exterior Painting Tools

If you walk into most home improvement stores, you’ll see a tool for every job. Some people have their own favorite tools for house paint projects, but for exterior painting tools, these are the basics:

• Caulk and caulk gun: Exterior house siding is notorious for holes and cracks that must be sealed up before you can begin paint projects. Latex caulk is used to fill in those cracks and must be applied with a caulk gun. These exterior painting tools are easy to find and inexpensive– cheaper ones start at $10.
• Ladder: Ladders are essential in painting a house. From a stepladder to a tall extension ladder, you can’t do the job right if you can’t reach all those tall places. This is perhaps the second most expensive item you can buy for house paint projects. A good one will run you $80.
• Paint brush: No painting job is complete without a paint brush, which can be used for a variety of things, such as painting around exterior lights or covering hard-to-reach spots when painting a house. They come in sizes from one-half inch to several inches in width, and price depends on quality– anywhere from $5 to $30.
• Paint shield: A shield is a flat piece of metal or plastic that’s used to cover up right where you’re currently spraying during house paint projects. Depending on whether you go metal or plastic, these exterior painting tools range from $20 to $40.
• Paint sprayer: The paint sprayer is the number one tool for painting a house. Since the exterior of most houses are so big, you need something that’s fast and can deliver a steady, even coat. This is definitely one of the most expensive exterior painting tools; depending on the model, it can generate different pressure and the price can range approximately from $100 to $300.
• Scraper: Once old paint starts peeling away from the exterior, it must be removed. A scraper is a small metal wedge that is used for that purpose when painting a house. Some scrapers also have a wire brush on one side. This handy little tool is cheap– usually about $5.