How Often Should I Paint my Exterior?

Are you asking when should I paint my exterior? It can be difficult to recognize when it’s time to paint the outside of your house. Sometimes, your home will tell you it’s time. Other times it’s not as easy. Since exterior painting is a big, and occasionally costly job, it’s usually not a project homeowners are excited for.

There is no set timeline for every exterior, since preparations, weather and substrate all can affect the paint. Typically, experts tell you to paint every 5-10 years, depending on the items mentioned above. When it comes to surfaces, we can get a more detailed paint life expectancy.

Wood siding – every 3-7 years, or every 4 years if it’s stained
Aluminum siding – usually about 5 years
Stucco – typically lasts 5-6 years
Brick – natural brick only needs an occasional cleaning, while painted brick can last 15-20 years.

Newer materials usually need less touch ups. Cement fiberboard can last from 10 to 15 years without a repainting.

Durability of Paint

There are some factors that can help your paint last longer. The biggest items are the previous paint, climate and maintenance.

The previous paint job can cause early paint failure on the look of your home. If you painted the house, great! If you didn’t, try to find out as much about the work as you can. The type and quality of paint, coatings applied and even the color can change the lifespan of the paint. High quality paints in lighter shades will tend to last longer, as well as applying two or three coats instead of one. As far as paint, choose 100% acrylic paint for the longest durability.

Daily elements can degrade paint more quickly as well. Harsh weather will cause damage to homes quickly. Intense storms, high UV rays, extreme wind and rain can all leech color and durability from the paint. Homes that are shaded by trees or sheltered by other buildings will have paint that looks better, longer.

The maintenance done on your home between complete exterior paintings can cause the paint to go bad quicker. Regular inspection for damage can help you identify and repair damage before it gets more costly and cumbersome. Look for rot, dampness, chalking, bubbling or cracking. Plus, keeping up with general maintenance will keep your paint looking great over time. Regular power washing and clearing away of standing water will help you avoid bigger issues. This means regularly washing off dirt and moss off the surface of your home before it starts to break down the paint.

Get Started

Rather than ask when should I paint my exterior, contact our pros today. Learn more about our exterior painting services for various substrates. Our portfolio has images of projects we have completed. Schedule a free estimate appointment to get started.