How often should I paint the exterior of my house?

Sometimes it’s obvious that your house needs painting. Other times, it’s not quite as clear. Exterior painting is not an easy or cheap job, so you’re probably not itching to take it on if it’s not necessary. Being that paint is the first line of defense against the elements, protecting your home is important. Here are some clues if you’re asking how often should I paint the exterior of my house. Here in the Fort Collins part of Colorado, painted exteriors tend to not last as long as other parts of the country due to the altitude, sun, and harsh winter conditions.

How Often to Paint?

Unfortunately, this answer can vary quite a lot since every home is a bit different. While there are general guidelines to follow, there are determining factors that only you will be able to address. Generally speaking, without geographical and maintenance knowledge, an exterior house painting can last from 5-10 years. Some substrates can drastically reduce this length of time. Here’s a very basic idea of what those look like:

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
New types of materials – these usually need to be touched up less often; for example, cement fiberboard siding can go 10-15 years before repainting
Brick – if it’s not painted, it only needs occasional cleaning; if it’s painted, it can last 15-20 years

Durability of Paint

Some of the factors below will change how long you can expect your paint to last. The durability of the coating is directly impacted by these factors: previous paint job, climate and maintenance. Let’s look at each.

Previous Paint Job

Because paint can outlast an owner, you might not know exact details about the last exterior paint job. Having these details on hand can answer some unknowns and help you understand how to best proceed. The type and quality of paint, coats and color can all impact the length of time you can expect the paint to look good and protect your home.

If you do have this information, great! Overall, higher quality paint in more muted tones tends to last longer than the alternatives. Two to three coats provides optimal protection and 100% acrylic paint is the most resistant to fading. Have all three, perfect.

Climate

The weather where you live can have a huge impact on the durability of your paint. Those areas with particularly harsh weather from sun and ice can create more problems with the paint. Standing up to those elements is difficult for even the best coatings. Hot temperatures, fierce storms and loads of ice can all age paint more quickly and cause failure to come sooner. UV rays can damage your facade by leaching pigments from the colors you’ve chosen. While this doesn’t harm the paint, it sure can be an eyesore. Picking paint that works with your geographical location will help mitigate these issues. Working with a color consultant in your area should set you up with good ideas of hues that will be suitable for your locale. In Coloroado we have many of these things working against us, high altitude, sun damage, and damage from freezing and thawing of water in winter and spring all are common occurrences that may accelerate the need for exterior painting projects.

Maintenance

Homes that are cared for year after year will have better outcomes on the lifespan of their paint coating. Taking time to care for your house with repairs, touch ups and power washing helps to set the paint up to last longer. These interventions at various stages of the paint’s lifecycle will help it to maintain adhesion longer and avoid the obvious signs of paint failure.

Preparation for New Paint

If you are ready for a new paint job, set up your project for success. Putting in a bit of work ahead of time can create a longer life for the paint you choose. Here’s how to get started.

Prepare

Do a complete inspection of your house’s exterior. Pay particular attention to mold, holes, cracks or other imperfections. These are all items you will need to address prior to your paint starting. Either take on the repairs yourself or get a pro to help you with them.

After repairs are done, make sure the house is clean by attacking dirt and stains with a stiff brush and cleaner. Then, use a power washer to give the entire surface a cleaning. Be cautious not to overload the PSI as it can damage some house substrates. The surfaces will need a day or two of clear weather to dry before you allow any painting to be done.

Landscaping often needs to be trimmed back for painters to be able to reach all areas of your house and foundation. Sometimes the crew will provide this service, other times it’s on the homeowner to make sure the house is ready for the crew when they arrive. Talk to your contact and get specific details on how your painting company handles this.

Bring in Help

Exterior paint jobs are large and intricate. There are quite a few moving parts to consider when painting. Most homeowners choose to bring in a crew to assist with the job. This means more hands working at a time to make your work get done more efficiently. Pay attention to potential weather conditions that could hinder work. While most painters are very aware of the necessary conditions, some could try to press forward and cost you on your finished product.

Ask About Coatings

Some jobs will require extra coatings, either to stand up to conditions or sufficiently change a color. Sometimes painters will recommend a coating of primer to start off with. This can be useful to hide an old color choice or cover and camouflage repairs that have been made. You will want to know what and how many coatings were done and when so that the next time you need paint, you’re well informed.

Schedule an Estimate Today

Again, an exterior painting is a large job that should be entered into when you are ready. Whether your house is damaged or faded, this is the perfect time to get started. Most paint will last you up to a decade if it’s applied professionally by a crew. Our crews are ready to help with your project. Schedule a no-obligation estimate appointment today.