Painting industry experts recommend painting the exterior of your home every 7-10 years. While this is a suitable guideline, there are a variety of factors to account for. These include local weather conditions, the quality of the previous paint job, the type of paint used, and of course, the materials used in the building of the home.
Location and Weather Effect How Long An Exterior Paint Job Will Last
Vancouver residents generally enjoy mild weather all year. However, the rainy winters and warm summers can both create painting issues worth noting.
Vancouver can be very wet in the winter. Aging or improperly applied paint risks damage from moisture, leaks and wood rot during the rainy season. During the summer months, exposure to the sun can also cause issues for paint. The baking sun can prematurely age paint causing cracking, flakes, and chips. As soon as the protective coating of your house is cracked, that can lead to trouble. These issues can cause damage to the substrate of your home and are important to look out for.
Surfaces to be Painted
The materials used to build a home are an important factor in determining when to paint. For example, on wood surfaces, a quality paint job will last 3-7 years (even less on horizontal surfaces like decks!). Many people think they don’t have to paint stucco or concrete siding, but that’s not the case. On stucco, a quality paint job can last 10 years or more, but should eventually have a tune up. Each home is unique and every homeowner should ensure routine inspection of their home’s exterior to ensure the painting is done timely before substrate damage occurs.
Your Home’s Age Will Affect How Often You Need To Paint The Exterior
The age of a home is an important factor in determining when to paint the exterior. As homes age and are exposed to harsh weather regular painting becomes critical to protect the home’s aging substrate.
If your home is newly constructed, that doesn’t always mean it won’t need to be painted for a decade. The paint job on newly constructed homes typically doesn’t last as long due to material choices and cost constraints during construction. Many owners of newly constructed homes find they need painting within the first three years.
Quality of Existing Paint Job & Existing Paint
Different paints have different lifespans. Acrylic, latex, and oil-based paints all have unique lifespans. The combination of the surface and type of paint is the most important factor in determining how often you should paint your home’s exterior. If you’re not sure what product was used for your home, it’s a good idea to have an expert perform an inspection and provide guidance (arrange a time for a Fresh Paint ace to come to inspect your exterior).
Workmanship/Contractor quality is equally important to the quality of the paint used. Proper surface preparation and application go a long way to ensuring the longevity of a painting project. Choosing a contractor that is experienced, can provide referrals, and offers a guarantee on the quality of their work is the best way to ensure your project is done right (like Fresh Paint’s peace of mind guarantee).
Thinking of Selling?
One of the fastest and best ways to improve your return on investment ( ROI) is a fresh coat of paint on the exterior of your home. If you are selling your home, exterior painting will increase both the curb appeal and actual value of your home. In fact, the return on investment of painting your home has been shown to be 55% to more than 100% of the cost of the project!
Choosing the right time and the right contractor to paint your home’s exterior can be a daunting task. Fresh Paint wants to make it easy. We’re here to share our industry knowledge and when you’re ready, to provide a free instant estimate. We’ll connect you with the best Local Pro for your project, and help you love your home’s exterior.