How Often Should You Paint Your House? – When to Repaint
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Trying to figure out how often to paint house exterior walls should not be too difficult, but it can easily become a task that is often neglected. Because of this, it would be better to ensure that you understand when it needs to be done, as each building material has different needs. Naturally, there are also a variety of benefits that come from painting your home, and this is what we will take a look at in this segment. So, how often should you paint your house? Let’s find out below!
Table of Contents
Factors That Influence How Often to Paint Your House
The durability of your paint will have a direct effect on how often you would need to paint your home. A few things can influence how long the paint on your walls will last.
The three most important factors are your existing paint quality, temperature and weather conditions, and how your home has been maintained over the years.
Climate and Weather Effects
Where you reside and what the climate was like on the particular day of your previous paint job might also have an impact on the duration of the finish. For instance, if you live in a hot climate and your home is not shaded by many trees, direct sunshine may cause the coating to blister and discolor quickly. If you reside in a location with harsh winters, violent storms, or high levels of humidity, your paintwork may also age faster.
The Quality of the Previous Paint Job
Asking yourself “How often should you paint your house?” will also depend on the quality of your previous paint job. If you recently purchased a home, you may not know when the walls were last painted. It is an excellent choice to attempt to find out because knowing specifics regarding the paint job may have a great impact.
The quality of the paint, the sort of paint used, the number of layers used, and even the color utilized may all have an impact on lifetime. It is also useful to know when it was painted because if it was painted on a hot, cold, or humid day, this will affect the way the paint cured.
In general, good paint in lighter colors lasts for a longer time particularly when done in two to three layers rather than just one. In terms of paint types, using 100% acrylic paint remains the best option since it is incredibly durable.
Regular Exterior Maintenance
This comes down to prioritizing routine upkeep and identifying issues before they become severe. Inspect your house regularly for indications of deterioration. Chalkiness, mold, rot, rodent or insect infestation, and dampness are all things to look out for. If you see any of these, take steps to address them immediately; as doing so will help your paint work last longer.
Furthermore, basic upkeep will keep the paint looking beautiful over time. This entails frequently wiping debris and moss from the exterior of your property before it begins to deteriorate the paint.
Signs That Indicate It Is Time to Paint Your House
The paint that you use is your home’s first line of defense against the weather, as well as the first impression visitors and prospective buyers get. Here are some of the most important signs that it is time to paint your house.
Finding Chips and Peels
Repaint before paint chips become evident from the street. Painting your home earlier reduces damage to the outside as well as the necessity for preparation work such as removing peeling paint, caulking seals, or replacing wood. Painting costs are reduced when preparation work is minimized.
When Your Home Is New
Contractors typically apply one layer of paint across pre-primed wood. That primer reduces warpage at the lumberyard but is inadequate to avoid shrinkage or swelling in most cases. If it is possible, ensure your builder primes the wood prior to installing it.
Then, within five years, concentrate on painting the whole house to guarantee a good coat of protective paint before much deterioration takes place.
If You Are Planning to Sell
If the house appears faded, the exterior trim no longer stands out, or there is absolutely nothing to make the house ‘pop’ amid the surrounding area, a fresh coat of paint will typically do the job. This will make it look new and increase the market value of the property.
Painting before putting your property on the market is a great way to boost the likelihood of a sale, and achieving a good price.
The Color Has Faded
Ultraviolet (UV) rays cause the finish to fade and, in some cases, change color after painting. In a few weeks, the beige may turn pink. To avoid this, ensure that the paint is of an external grade and can tolerate UV rays. Another reason for color fading is sun bleaching. This is fairly common and darker colors fade quicker than lighter colors. In addition, depending on the extent of exposure, and thickness of the paint, colors will not fade evenly, resulting in a blotchy appearance.
Fading on the shady sides of the home, on the other hand, suggests a problem with water penetration or the vapor barrier. Look for spots that appear to be strange and dripping on the paintwork. Water leaks are indicated when water-soluble products intended for interior spaces end up outside the property.
If you are unable to locate the source of a water leak, then it would be best to consult an expert.
Patching Stucco
Patching stucco cracks and repainting the entire house to save money instead of re-stuccoing the whole property. Alternatively, homeowners are going to be left with smears or a patchwork of mismatched paint.
The Caulk Has Hardened
The majority of caulks are made to extend and compress with your home. Caulking loses flexibility as it is subjected to more harsh weather cycles, such as bright days and chilly evenings.
If the beads are firm and resistive when pressed, then it is time to bring in someone with experience to re-caulk and inspect for damage.
Changing the Color
The shade of paint you chose for the outside of your home just a few years ago might be out of date. Exterior paint color fads come and go. To maintain your property and keep it looking its best, consider painting it a fresh color to boost curb appeal as well as making it inviting to visitors. Although we went over why it is vital to paint the outside of your home, you do not have to put it off until the paint chips and peels.
Cracking, Bubbling, and Flaking Paint
These indicators frequently indicate wet rot, dry rot, or mold produced by inadequate weatherproofing. Strong sunshine, hard winters, high humidity, storms, sea breezes, and blowing sand can all add to the devastation.
Preparing Your Home for a Good Paint Job
When you are prepared to refresh your home’s exterior paint job, there are a handful of things that you should do to guarantee that your paint job looks its best for a very long time. In fact, the process begins prior to anyone picking up a paintbrush.
Begin by removing any mildew, decaying wood, cracks, or holes in the stucco.
Fill up any fissures, caulk seams, and empty spaces or holes with high-quality putty. If you have a lot of peeling or bubbling paint, sandblast or pressure wash to begin with to achieve a smooth finish. After removing the damaged paint, allow your home to cure completely before beginning to paint. The same is true with heavy rain as it is preferable to wait a few days following a storm before painting.
You should also keep an eye on the weather. It is always preferable to paint during periods that are dry and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 50℉ to 90℉. It is always best to begin with a primer because it conditions the area for the paint and results in a smoother-appearing finish.
Frequency of Painting Different Parts of Your House
The interior of your home does not need to be repainted as frequently as the exterior. There are, however, certain easy painting frequency standards you must adhere to in order to keep your paint appearing good in every room and on all surfaces in your home. Naturally, the same applies to exterior paint, but this depends on the type of surface.
Interior Walls
Due to regular wear and tear, certain areas in your home require more frequent repainting than others. For instance, if you occasionally use the formal dining room, you will not have to repaint the walls as frequently as you would in your hallways, kitchen, or bathroom.
Hallways
Your home’s halls and corridors are traveled through more frequently than any other area. This implies that these places will have many more dents, scratch marks, and other signs of wear and tear. To keep your paint appearing fresh and new, have experts paint these sections every two to three years.
Bedrooms
If you do not have children, the paint in the bedrooms is going to last for many years to come. Since adult bedrooms are rarely utilized, you may discover that you will not have to repaint until you wish to change the color. However, children’s bedrooms are a distinct tale because they are utilized for both rest and play.
When repainting a child’s bedroom walls, professional painters frequently choose a satin or eggshell finish. This can guarantee that paint lasts longer, even if it needs to be wiped down several times. Every two to three years, children’s bedrooms should be repainted.
Bathrooms and Kitchens
Because there are plenty of variables to consider, bathrooms and kitchens must be repainted more frequently than living and dining rooms. To guarantee that the paint lasts a long time, professional painters utilize the most robust, gloss paints on trim pieces as well as satin paints on most of the walls in these spaces. Your bathroom and kitchen will most likely require new paint every three to four years, if not sooner.
Dining Rooms and Living Rooms
If you use superior, long-lasting paint in these spaces, you should be able to avoid repainting for several years. Regardless of whether you use the living room more than the dining area, using a long-lasting paint and classic interior design may typically keep it in good condition.
It is generally advised that you repaint the interior of your house at least once every five to seven years. This frequency is usually sufficient for each of these rooms.
Exterior Walls
There are many factors to consider when deciding how often your home’s exterior should be repainted. Within a few years, the caliber of the paint applied earlier might make a substantial impact. Given the materials, the outside of a house should be painted every five to ten years.
Brick
If you live in a home with an unpainted brick exterior, have it expertly pressure washed at least every couple of years to keep it looking new. This is the easiest surface to maintain as there is no paint to consider. If your house has a brick exterior that has been painted, then you will need to repaint it every three to five years. So keep that in mind before you choose to paint raw brick.
Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding is extremely sturdy and may last for a long time on the exterior of your home. To keep the surface clean and your property appearing new, refresh the outside paint at intervals of five to ten years.
Wood Siding
The most common material that has to be painted or stained is wood siding. From three to seven years is a good starting point. Because wood is prone to decay, it is critical to look for indicators that the paint has worn off.
DIY vs. Professional Painting
You will have the option to paint your house yourself or commission the job to an expert painter. Choosing a painter is the easiest option, but if you want to tackle the job on your own then there are a few things that you would need to know.
Finding the Best Painter
Hiring a skilled painting contractor is essential for extending the lifespan of your painting project, ensuring your outside appears fresh, and protecting the materials beneath it. The quality of the paint, as well as how thoroughly the home was painted, might imply the difference between having to repaint your house in five years or not needing to repaint it until ten years later.
Professional painters are also well-versed with different materials and they have plenty of equipment to finish the job faster.
Painting the House Yourself
If you are planning to tackle this job by yourself, you will need to ensure that you have the necessary materials and tools to complete the job. It would also be a good idea to take note of the weather and humidity levels as this will help the paint adhere to the surface. While you will save money on labor costs, you will need to buy all of the paint and materials needed, and if you are inexperienced, you might not get the results that you want.
Now there is no reason to wonder, “how often should you paint your house?”, as we have provided you with all of the information that you would need to do a good job. As we have established, certain materials require more attention than others, and certain rooms will need regular repainting. Fortunately, painting is not the most difficult DIY project there is, so with some practice, you will be able to get the job done. We hope that our guide helps you, and we wish you the best of luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Necessary to Learn How Often to Paint House Exterior Surfaces?
Yes, it is! The reason is that it is a good idea to develop an understanding of when to paint your home based on the material used to build the exterior walls. Additionally, it will help when it comes to ensuring that your house always looks its best from the outside. This comes with a series of benefits, such as increasing your property value and keeping the Home Owners Association happy.
How Often Should You Paint Your House?
This primarily depends on what the exterior walls are made of. The type of material used will determine how often it needs to be painted. Some materials, such as brick, only need to be painted every decade or so; however, wood requires more frequent painting.
What Are the Signs That a House Needs to Be Repainted?
If you are wondering how often should you paint your house, it is usually easy to tell when a fresh coat of paint is needed. If the paint has started cracking and peeling, you can easily remove it from the wall, clean the surface, and apply a new coat. However, if the wall is damaged, it is best to repair it before painting.
Robert Thompson has worked as a self-employed carpenter for over 15 years. He lives with his family in Billings, Montana, where he also successfully operates his business as a woodworker. His main business is the complete interior construction of buildings. He is also passionate about creating high-quality wood furniture with epoxy and other items made from burl wood. Besides the woodwork, Robert is also a skilled DIY professional for all kinds of materials. He always has a solution ready for every craft and construction challenge. Originally, Robert studied civil engineering and has advanced degrees in carpentry and business management. Robert has been working for Craft Art since 2020 and enriches the blog with his immense knowledge and skills in the field of woodworking and home improvement. He writes the articles about DIY and Repair.
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