How to Paint English Tudor Homes

Draw the house on a sketch pad and use different colored pencils or crayons to define general paint schemes you like. For example, white walls look good with dark brown wood trim on an English Tudor home. Consider using pale gray for walls and burgundy trim or off-white walls with dark green trim. Window framing should be trimmed in white for most homes. Three colors give a large English Tudor home a designer look if used properly. For example, you can paint exterior walls a light tan with dark brown trim. Shutters and porch railings can be painted a medium burgundy.

Rent scaffolding to reach high walls and steep peaks on an English Tudor house. Enlist a professional painter to climb into heights above two stories. As the homeowner, you can save money by painting lower sections yourself, but don't risk working from scaffolding unless you're an experienced painter. Assemble paint, paint trays, rollers and brushes in the area you will paint. Try painting a large section to see if you're satisfied with the colors you've chosen. Test the colors initially in bright sunlight versus painting on an overcast day.

Paint the trim first. Use a natural bristle brush to cut the paint into the lumber. Use a primer if the wood is bare in a lot of places. Do the job right, so you will not have to paint the house again for a few years. Examine all areas of the walls where the wooden trim adjoins the stucco areas. Caulk any gaps and allow to dry before you paint. You want a seamless look in all areas of the home, so keep the caulking gun handy. You don't want rain to leak behind boards of windows in high areas you might not visit again for some time.

Paint all gutters and downspouts as you paint the trim. Allow the trim to dry for a day or two before you paint the walls. This allows the caulking to dry as well. Use caulking that stays semi-soft versus hard drying caulking, which may chip or fall out. Attach extenders to paint roller handles to reach high places. Use rollers with half-inch nap to saturate the stucco areas more smoothly. Roll in several directions to push the paint into the surfaces.

Use a 2-inch trim brush to paint closely around windows or door facings. This small brush can be used on window pane dividers as well. Caulk the window panes if you need to. Paint the front and back door a contrasting third color if you use a third color on shutters or porch railings. If you're in doubt about whether to use a third color, consult a home designer in your town.