Spring painting starts with inspection, not paint. NOAA normals put the Lehigh Valley's median last frost on April 20 and the last 36°F night on May 2, so March and April are for inspecting, cleaning and repairs, and most priming and painting fits best from May on.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip (in) | Days with 0.10 in+ rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 50.8°F | 30.5°F | 3.63 | 6.8 |
| April | 63.4°F | 40.3°F | 3.67 | 6.8 |
| May | 73.5°F | 50.6°F | 3.65 | 7.6 |
Source: NOAA 1991-2020 normals for Lehigh Valley International Airport. The median last 28°F night is April 5, the median last freeze April 20 and the median last 36°F night May 2. Spring averages about 26 nights at or below freezing across March through May.
Wood absorbs water over winter and spring rain. Paint makers require dry surfaces, and Benjamin Moore's Woodluxe stain sheets say new pressure-treated lumber must dry until its moisture content is below 15% before staining. May averages 7.6 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, so several dry days before priming help.
Cleaners and primers set the pace. Benjamin Moore's Woodluxe cleaner and its alkyd deck and siding primer need 50°F, masonry products need 50°F, and Woodluxe stains need 40°F. April's average low is 40.3°F and May's is 50.6°F, which is why washing and topcoats can start earlier than primer work on bare cedar or masonry.
In Pennsylvania, a home improvement contract must be in writing, include the contractor's registration number, approximate start and completion dates, a description of the work and materials, and the total price, and the homeowner may rescind within three business days of signing. For pre-1978 homes, the contractor must also give you EPA's Renovate Right pamphlet before work begins.
Joseph Assise III Painting is based in Easton and serves towns across eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey, centered on the Lehigh Valley. Town pages:
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Local guides with housing-age and climate data: Lafayette College, Easton | St. Luke's Easton Campus | Lehigh University, Bethlehem | SteelStacks, Bethlehem | Wind Creek, Bethlehem | Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest | Dorney Park, South Whitehall.
Topcoats rated to 35°F, such as Benjamin Moore's current Aura exterior and Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior, can go on during mild April days, but primers, cleaners and masonry products that need 50°F fit better from May, when the NOAA average low reaches 50.6°F. The median last freeze at Lehigh Valley International Airport is April 20.
Spring is a good time to wash off winter dirt and mildew, especially before painting. Benjamin Moore's Woodluxe All-In-One Wood Cleaner should not be applied below 50°F, so washing is best on warmer days, and siding needs time to dry fully before primer or paint goes on.
Yes, once the wood is clean and dry and temperatures are above the stain's minimum. Benjamin Moore lists 40°F for its Woodluxe water-based stains and says new pressure-treated lumber must be below 15% moisture content. Allow 48 hours before furniture returns, and avoid staining before forecast rain.
Getting estimates in late winter or early spring leaves time to compare written proposals, choose colors and check any historic district requirements before the best weather arrives in May and June. Pennsylvania law requires home improvement contracts to include the contractor's registration number and approximate start and completion dates.
Sources: NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Lehigh Valley International Airport (USW00014737); Benjamin Moore Woodluxe Water-Based Deck + Siding Solid Stain (694) technical data sheet; Benjamin Moore Woodluxe Water-Based Semi-Transparent Stain + Sealer (692) technical data sheet; Benjamin Moore Woodluxe All-In-One Wood Cleaner (018) technical data sheet; Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Deck & Siding Primer (094) technical data sheet; Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec Masonry 100% Acrylic Sealer (608) technical data sheet; Benjamin Moore Aura Waterborne Exterior Soft Gloss (N632) technical data sheet; Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior product page and customer information sheet; Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008), Section 7; EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, 40 CFR Part 745 Subpart E. Figures checked October 2026.
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