HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPAINT YOUR EXTERIOR?

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPAINT YOUR HOMES EXTERIOR

The exact answer depends on the paint you used, the quality of the paint job, and the materials your home’s exterior is made of. However, a general rule of thumb is that your home’s exterior should be painted every 5 – 10 years.

Your home’s first line of defense against the elements, severe weather, and sun-fading is that first layer of paint. It is quite literally a defensive barrier that protects your home and extends its longevity. If you’re considering house painting in Burlington, keeping up with a regular painting schedule ensures your home stays protected and looking its best.

ALUMINUM SIDING – 5 YEARS

If your home has aluminum siding, you’ll want to paint the exterior of your house every five years. You want flexible paint because aluminum siding, made of metal, expands and contracts with changing temperatures. You’ll need flexible paint that can withstand the stress. The best type of paint for aluminum siding is 100% acrylic latex paint.

STUCCO 5-6 YEARS

With stucco walls, you’ll want to repaint your home’s exterior every five to six years. Stucco performs best in arid climates, where a professional paint job using high quality paint can last even up to ten years. However, most stucco will need to be repainted sooner due to moisture, cracking, chipping, and other signs of wear and tear on your stucco.

WOOD SIDING 3-7 YEARS

Wood surfaces are not only susceptible to changes in temperature, but they are also vulnerable to fluctuations in moisture likely caused by high humidity. This is due to the cellulose that makes up much of the wood structure. Because of the relatively unstable nature of wood, wooden siding needs to be repainted every three to seven years.

These vulnerabilities make wood prone to warping over time, negatively impacting the paint’s adhesion to the wood’s surface. To counteract the instability of wood over time, professional painters use 100% solid acrylic latex emulsion paint on wooden siding.

BRICK 15-20 YEARS

When done correctly, a professional-grade paint job on your home’s brick exterior can last between fifteen to twenty years. The reason for this longevity is that brick is highly porous, which means there is more surface area for the primer and paint to grip onto.

For a long-lasting paint job, you should paint your brick exterior with either 100% acrylic latex or elastomeric paint. Both of these paints create effective protective barriers against the elements and dig into the brick’s porous surface for a hold that can last over a decade.

SIGNS YOU SHOUD REPAINT YOUR HOMES EXTERIOR

If you notice the following warning signs, you should consider repainting the exterior of your home. The longer some of the following problems persist, the worse they will get with time, not only destroying the look of your home but also jeopardizing it’s safety and longevity.

CHIPPING PAINT

When paint begins to chip away, the adhesion between the paint and your home’s exterior surface has been compromised. There are various reasons why the adhesion between the surface of your home causing the paint that coats it to break down over time.

From moisture to insects or impacts from severe weather, once separation happens, it’s only a matter of time before the elements expose that vulnerability in your exterior paint job. Chipped paint and peeling paint tend to radiate out from the point of separation, which means the affected area will grow with time.

FADING PAINT

If you notice your home isn’t quite as bright or vibrant as it used to be, it could be an indicator that the layer of paint on your home’s exterior is beginning to break down. Though fading is mostly a cosmetic issue caused by the sun’s radiation leeching pigment from the paint, its appearance could forewarn other issues.

SIGNS OF WEAR AND TEAR

As time passes, the chemical bonds holding materials together degrade due to long periods of direct sunlight. Over time, the bonds holding your home’s exterior paint to the walls of your home will break down.

If you notice damage to your home’s exterior paint job—cracks, chips, bubbles, scratches, etc.—you’ll want to consider performing preventative maintenance by cleaning, prepping, and repainting the affected area of your home’s exterior immediately.

PUTTING YOUR HOME ON THE MARKET

If you plan to sell your home or get a home appraisal to refinance, you’ll want your home to look as attractive as possible. A fresh coat of paint on your home’s exterior will make it look brand new and help you score a higher valuation—curb appeal matters when it comes to getting the most value out of your home.

CRACKED CAULKING

Caulk is designed to seal the spaces between doors, windows, and walls. It is supposed to be a flexible, moisture-resistant barrier, but over time it can harden, crack, and become ineffective at protecting your home from moisture and the elements.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE…. CONTACT US TODAY!

If you want an exterior paint job that lasts, trust Living Colour Painters to do the job right—from the prep work to the final coat. We’ve been painting the interior and exterior of homes and businesses for over 15 years. If you’re looking for a professional house painter in Burlington, our team is ready to deliver high-quality results. Contact LC Painters today and speak with one of our professional painters about starting your next painting project.