Your home’s exterior naturally experiences wear and tear because of weather and sun exposure. Over time, this wear and tear can affect the value of your home and its overall curb appeal. Repainting your home’s exterior is a great way to freshen things up. When you understand how often to repaint a house and how to make exterior paint last, you can ensure that your home looks its best, whether you’re hoping to sell or enjoy the neighborhood for years to come.
The Ohio Painting Company® has been providing professional painting services and unmatched customer service since 2011, and we are proud to give you the best exterior painting service and share our expertise.
Understanding the Life Span of Exterior Paint
Of course, using the best paint for your home will help ensure quality and longevity. However, paint type or brand is not the only contributing factor to how long exterior paint lasts. Outside factors, such as intense and fluctuating climates, can impact the life span of exterior paint.
Factors Affecting Your Home’s Exterior
Location is a significant factor impacting your home’s exterior. Environmental factors that impact exterior paint include:
- UV rays: Exposure to UV rays can lead to your exterior paint fading quicker, resulting in a weathered look.
- Heat waves: An intense increase in temperature can cause the materials underneath the paint to contract or expand, potentially leading to chipping or peeling.
- Cold temperatures: Consistent temperatures below freezing can cause the paint to become brittle and result in cracking.
- Temperature fluctuation: Temperature rises and falls result in constant expansion and contraction of building materials, which could weaken paint.
Avoiding these weather conditions isn’t exactly possible. However, investing in high-quality paint can help reduce weather-related damage. Latex-based exterior paints, for example, can help protect against fluctuating weather conditions. This paint option takes less time to dry and protects against mold and mildew during humid and rainy days. Oil-based paint also offers some benefits, including enhanced durability. Either way, paint quality can be vital in ensuring your exterior paint lasts as long as possible.
How Long Should Exterior Paint Last?
Generally, an exterior paint job can last up to a decade, sometimes longer. The local environment and climate, as well as the paint quality, can directly impact the life span of your exterior paint job. Investing in high-quality paint and working with a reliable company can help you get the most out of your exterior paint.
When to Repaint Your Home’s Exterior
With a prominent structure like a house, spotting the warning signs of paint decay can be difficult. Understanding what to look for and where to locate paint problems can help determine how often to repaint your home. Here are some signs that indicate it may be time to repaint your home’s exterior.
1. You Notice Peeling Paint
Cracking or peeling paint indicates that the paint no longer adheres to the structure. Peeling paint leaves your home susceptible to water damage and subsequent issues, as it gives the water an entry point to your home’s structure.
2. The Color Is Fading
A common sign that your home needs repainting services is that your home’s exterior appears to be fading. Fading is a typical result of sun exposure and can lead to cracking or peeling later on. Addressing a dull exterior can help you complete your exterior’s repaint job before further damage occurs.
3. Caulking Is Cracking
Caulking is essential to seal gaps and keep water and debris from damaging your home’s structure. When your caulking starts to crack, the protection it once provided becomes weaker. Cracked caulking is an early sign that your home’s exterior needs maintenance and possibly repainting.
4. You See Gaps Between Wood Panels
As your home continues to age, so does its structure. The wood panels that make up your home’s structure may begin to swell and warp as they’re exposed to varying elements. When gaps appear, it signals that you may need to replace the wood panels, and fresh exterior paint will need to follow.
Though these are warning signs that your exterior requires repainting, these are not the only reasons to repaint your exterior. Homeowners looking to sell their homes or looking for a simple color change may invest in exterior painting services to liven up their property. Repainting your home’s exterior does not only have to occur when an issue arises — it can be a simple way to enhance your home’s curb appeal.
When you decide that your home’s exterior needs repainting, it is vital to remember the time of year. Weather and temperature can play a role in the longevity of exterior paint and the completion of the exterior paint job.
How Often Do Houses Need to Be Painted?
How often you should repaint your home’s exterior depends on its exterior material. Some materials require more upkeep, while others can go years without repainting services. Some common exterior materials and their repainting requirements include:
Cedar Siding
This material is the best option for wood siding for its durability and natural insect-repellant properties. Cedar siding should be repainted every five to seven years. However, under the right conditions, cedar painting jobs can last up to a decade.
Cement Board Siding
Cement board siding is an excellent siding option to combat environmental factors such as rot, fire and insects. It is best to repaint cement board siding every 10 to 15 years, depending on how your exterior paint is aging.
Brick Siding
Painted brick is becoming more common with homeowners looking to make their exteriors appear more modern. If you decide to paint your brick siding, your exterior paint can last 15 to 20 years.
Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding is a waterproof option to protect your home because it is resistant to mold and mildew, and it offers great insulation. When painted correctly, aluminum exterior paint can last more than 15 years.
Stucco Siding
Like cement board siding, stucco siding is composed of lightweight cement that protects subwalls. Exterior paint for stucco siding should generally be repainted every five to seven years.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is one of the most widely used types for today’s homes thanks to its affordability and easy maintenance. We recommend repainting your vinyl siding about every 10 years to keep your exterior looking good as new.
Knowing your home’s structure and location can help you determine how often you should repaint a house. Some homes, like older Victorian homes, may need to be repainted more frequently to preserve the structure and prevent costly damages. Others may not require repainting services as often.
Work With Trusted Exterior Painters in Dayton and Cincinnati
Repainting the exterior of your house impacts curb appeal and home value. When you notice that your home needs repainting, you can avoid costly repairs and ensure your home leaves a lasting effect on the neighborhood.
The Ohio Painting Company® is ready to help your home look its best! With more than four decades of experience in exterior painting, we can meet your home’s exterior painting needs in Dayton, Cincinnati and the surrounding areas. Request a quote from our professionals today to get started on your next exterior painting or repainting project.
