As painting contractors in Columbus, Ohio, we often get asked, “How often should I paint my house?” Painting or staining your home not only improves its appearance, it helps extend the life of your home’s exterior. How frequently you need to repaint your house depends on several factors, some are obvious and others you may not have thought of.
Don’t underestimate the importance of your home’s curb appeal.
First impressions are everything. If the outside of your home looks great, it’s safe to assume the inside is cared for as well. Since your house is one of your biggest investments it’s important to retain or increase its value over the years. Even if you’re not ready to sell now (or ever), keep curb appeal high by properly maintaining your home’s exterior and protecting the outside of your home from sun, wind, rain, and other inclement weather.
How often should you paint your house’s exterior?
Three factors that determine how often you should paint your home are the climate where you live, the type of material on your home’s exterior, and the quality of the last paint job.
Location/climate:
Dry, warm and sunny:
If you live in the southern or southwestern part of the U.S., and your home is exposed to the sun’s rays on a regular basis, the paint on your house may bubble and fade, especially during the hot summer months. The UV rays from the sun cause the chemical compounds in paint to deteriorate, resulting in a dull, faded look over time.
Cold, humid or rainy:
Locations that experience harsh winters, extreme humidity, windy ocean sprays, or frequent storms also have climates that age paint quickly. For example, coastal homes need to be repainted frequently, maybe as often as every year, while New England and Midwestern homes, with a combination of humid summers and cold winters, need to be repainted every 5 to 7 years.
Type of material:
Wood Siding:
Wood needs to be properly protected to enjoy its beauty for years to come. Depending on your choice of finish, wood siding should be painted every 3 to 7 years, stained every 3 to 5 years, or sealed every 2 years.
Aluminum siding:
If the aluminum siding of your home looks chalky or faded it may be time to paint. Much less expensive than replacing the siding, a good paint job can go a long way and can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years depending on your location.
Stucco:
Stucco is a low-maintenance, long-lasting material that only needs to be repainted every 5 to 10 years. Since stucco tends to crack as it settles, small repairs and touch ups can be made periodically to keep it looking good.
Cement fiberboard siding:
This newer type of material should need to be repainted every 10 to 15 years.
Brick:
A high-quality paint job on brick should last 15 to 20 years.
Quality of last paint job:
A quality paint job will last longer than one that cuts corners, is rushed, or uses cheap paint. Three choices that can extend the life of your paint job are the type of paint, the color, and the number of coats applied.
Paint Quality:
The quality of the paint you use contributes to its longevity. Acrylic paint is typically the most durable, fade-resistant, and least likely to harden, crack, or blister.
Color/Shade:
Even though the sun can bleach lighter shades of paint, it’s not as noticeable as darker shades which tend to fade more quickly.
Number of Coats:
If you think one coat is enough, think again. Applying two or three coats, as opposed to a single coat, better protects your home from its environment and increases the life of the paint job.
What happens if you wait too long to paint your house?
If you see signs of damaged paint or exposed patches of wall, don’t put off painting your home just to save money. Ignoring these problems could end up costing more money in the end. Take care of your home by inspecting its exterior regularly for things such as dampness, chalkiness, termites, rot or mold.
Prep your home for a paint job that will last.
Before painting, first get your home’s exterior into top shape.
- Repair and replace. Replace rotten wood, repair cracks, holes and pits, caulk seams, and remove loose, bubbling, peeling, or cracking paint.
- Power wash. Because your house needs to be completely dry before painting, wait a few days after pressure washing or a heavy rain.
- Wait for weather. Dry, mild weather (temperatures between 45-90 degrees) with minimal wind is best for painting.
HOA standards and house painting.
If you live in a historic district or a subdivision with a home owner association (HOA), there may be rules and standards regarding the general look and feel of your neighborhood. We recommend checking before painting to make sure you are following the proper regulations.
If you’re thinking about painting the outside of your home this year, Prim Painting is well-equipped to do the job right. As an exterior house painting company, we serve Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today for a free quote.