No one wants to live in a house that’s falling apart. But sometimes, it feels like maintaining a home is a full-time job. One task that often gets overlooked is painting. How often should you repaint your house? And how do you know when it’s time?
There are a lot of questions when it comes to house painting, but we’re here to help. Keep reading for everything you need to know about how often house painting should happen.
How To Determine When Your Home Needs Painting
House painting is one of those home improvement projects that offer a substantial return on investment, whether you’re looking to sell your house or simply want to enjoy a refreshed look. But knowing when it’s time to break out the paintbrush (and wallet) can be tricky. So what are some telltale signs that it’s time for a fresh coat?
Fading Paint
Probably one of the most obvious signs that it’s time to paint your house is faded paint. Fading can be caused by a number of different factors, including constant exposure to the elements, such as sun, wind, and rain.
Poor quality paint can also contribute to fading since some cheaper brands use lower-quality pigments that are more susceptible to UV damage from sunlight.
Whatever the cause, the end result is the same: a sad-looking home that lacks curb appeal. If your home has gone from a bright, cheery color to a dull, lackluster one, it is probably time to seriously consider repainting your home’s exterior. Otherwise, you’ll be left with an unattractive façade and expensive repair bills down the line.
Cracking, Peeling, And Bubbling
Another common sign that it is time for house painting is cracking, peeling, or bubbling paint.
There are a number of reasons why this might happen, but the most likely cause is that the paint wasn’t properly prepared before application. For example, if the surface wasn’t properly cleaned or primed, the paint may not have been able to adhere properly. Similarly, if the paint was applied in very hot or cold weather, it may not have had time to cure properly.
However, like fading paint, exposure to the weather can also cause paint to crack, peel, or bubble over time. In any case, this means that moisture is penetrating the paint, which can cause more serious issues for your home. If you notice cracking, peeling, or bubbling paint, you should definitely look into repainting your home.
How Often Should You Paint Your Home’s Exterior?
The answer depends on a number of factors, including the type of paint used, the weather in your region, and the condition of the existing paint job.
As a general rule, most experts recommend repainting every 3 to 5 years. However, if you live in an area with high humidity or extreme temperatures, you may need to repaint more often.
One of the key factors in determining when you need to repaint is the material of your home’s exterior.
Read on to discover the general painting guidelines for some of the most common types of home exteriors:
Wood
For wood siding, a good rule of thumb is to repaint every 4 to 7 years. Some high-quality wood sidings, such as cedar, might even last a little longer.
Brick
In general, most brick homes can go 8 to 10 years between house painting projects. However, this can be extended even further if you use high-quality paint and apply two coats.
Not everyone likes or wants to paint their brick exterior. You may want to go over the pros and cons of painting exterior brick before you decide.
Vinyl
People often ask 'can you paint vinyl siding?' You can! Depending on the quality of the paint and the amount of exposure to sunlight and other weather conditions, your home’s vinyl exterior will usually need to be repainted every 3 to 5 years.
Aluminum
In general, most experts recommend repainting your home’s aluminum exterior every 3 to 5 years.
Stucco
You should plan on repainting your stucco exterior every 5 to 10 years. Stucco is a durable material but is also very porous when it is first applied. The durability of your paint job may depend on whether or not the stucco was allowed to completely dry before it was painted.
Factors That Affect When You Should Paint Your Home’s Exterior
Exterior house painting is a big project. You want to do it right, and you want the results to last. That said, there are a number of factors that can affect when you should paint your home’s exterior.
Read on to discover the best times to paint your home exterior based on weather, climate, and your geographical location:
Weather And Climate
One key consideration for any outdoor project is the weather. You’ll want to avoid painting in hot, direct sunlight, as this can cause the paint to blister and peel.
Similarly, extreme cold can cause the paint to crack because it is drying too quickly. Take the guesswork out of planning your exterior painting project by checking your local weather forecast.
Temperature
In general, exterior house painting should be done when the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the type of paint you are using will also determine the ideal temperature for exterior painting.
For latex paints, the optimum temperature range is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
For alkyd and oil-based paints, the best temperature range is between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. These types of paints need at least four hours of drying time before temperatures dip below freezing. You’ll need to plan accordingly if you’re painting in colder weather.
Remember that these are only general guidelines--always check the specific exterior paint you’re using to see what temperature range is best for that particular type of paint.
Finally, the temperature should also be cool enough that you can comfortably work outdoors without sweating. If possible, try to paint in the shade or on an overcast day.
Wind
No matter what climate you live in, you’ll want to avoid exterior house painting when it’s windy because dust can get trapped in the fresh paint. If you must paint in windy conditions, try to shield the area you’re working in from the wind as much as possible.
Humidity
Another important factor to consider is humidity levels. As humidity increases, so does the chance of mildew or mold growth. If your climate experiences a lot of rainfall, you’ll want to wait until the rainy season is over before starting your exterior painting project.
For these reasons, spring and fall are typically the best times to refresh the exterior paint on your home.
Time Of Day
Another important consideration is the time of day. Ideally, exterior painting should be done in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not at its strongest. Not only does this protect your fresh coat of paint from extreme temperatures, but it also makes it more comfortable for you to work outdoors.
Your Geographical Location
Here are some things to keep in mind when doing an exterior house painting project based on your geographical location:
If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, it’s important to consider the temperature and humidity when doing an exterior painting project. In general, the best times for exterior painting are during the spring and fall months when the weather is milder.
However, if you live in an area with harsh winters, you’ll need to wait until the temperature is above freezing before doing any exterior painting. You should avoid exterior painting on rainy or windy days.
Your geographical location will also affect the type of exterior paint you use.
If you live in a sunny climate, you’ll want to use paint that resists fading and won’t require touch-ups as often.
For areas with high humidity, look for exterior paints with mold and mildew resistance.
Likewise, for homes in cold climates, choose exterior paints that won’t crack or peel in the winter.
How Often Should You Paint Your Home’s Interior?
How often should you paint your home’s interior? This is one of many bits of interior painting information people want to know.
When it comes to interior house painting, most experts agree that every 3 to 5 years is typically adequate. However, other professionals recommend you repaint every 2 to 3 years regardless of whether there are signs of wear and tear because interior painting is a great way to freshen up your décor.
When you get down to brass tacks, how often you need to do interior painting depends on several factors, including the type of paint you use, the condition of your walls, environmental conditions, and the amount of traffic in your home.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors.
Type Of Paint
Similar to exterior paint, if you use high-quality paint, you may be able to wait longer between paint jobs. Low-quality paint will crack, peel, or fade before high-quality paint. When it comes to paint, quality trumps price every time.
Condition Of Walls
If your walls are in good condition, you may be able to put off your house painting project for a few years. However, if your walls are dingy or covered with scuff marks, you’ll probably want to give them a fresh coat.
The material of the walls can also affect the overall condition of the walls. If your house has drywall, you’ll need to repaint more frequently than if it has plaster walls. In general, plaster walls are more durable and don’t require as much maintenance.
Environmental Conditions
The environmental conditions inside your home will also impact how often you need to paint your home’s interior.
For example, if you live in an area with high humidity, you may find that paint fades more quickly or that mold and mildew start to form. On the other hand, dry conditions in your home will keep your paint looking fresher for longer.
Amount Of Traffic
If your home sees a lot of foot traffic, you may need to repaint more frequently.
If you have young children or pets, they might create more messes and wear down surfaces more quickly than if you lived alone or with adults only. In that case, you might need to repaint more frequently in order to keep everything looking its best. Those little hands and paws can do a lot of damage!
Again, one of the best ways to determine if it’s time for an interior house painting project is to simply check out the condition of the current paint yourself. If it looks like it’s time to repaint, then it probably is.
Painting your house is a crucial part of maintaining its appearance and protecting it from the elements—but it’s also important not to overdo it!
By following these guidelines and paying attention to factors like the type of paint, weather and climate, geographical location, and general wear and tear, you can help ensure that your next painting project will be exactly when it should be: not too soon and not too late!
Talk With Aurora Painting About Your Next Home Painting Project
It’s always a good idea to consult with a professional before you start a house painting project. They can help you get an accurate estimate of the work that needs to be done. However, by following the guidelines we’ve provided, you can get a general idea of how often your home might need a fresh coat of paint.
If you have any other questions or would like us to help you assess your home’s painting needs, please don’t hesitate to fill out our contact form today!
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