How Long Does Painting the Exterior of Your Home Last?

One of the questions frequently asked of exterior painting contractors is how long the painting will last. It’s actually a reasonable question considering homeowners are likely to spend quite a bit of money getting their homes painted. It’s perfectly logical to want to know how long it can withstand the elements. However, there can be several factors that affect how long exterior paint can last.

Key Factors Affecting Exterior Paint Longevity

Factor #1: Quality of the Exterior Paint

The highest quality paint is, of course, going to offer the most longevity when it comes to exterior house painting. Painting contractors who use cheaper materials are setting a house up to peel or fade much more quickly than it should. By using the highest quality paints, contractors help ensure paint will be able to stand up against the elements. Using quality materials helps paint stay intact for longer periods of time, which means it will not fade, chip or peel. In most cases, high-quality paint should last at least 10 years and even longer with proper maintenance.

Factor #2: Regional Weather Conditions

In most cases, homes will need to be painted every seven to 10 years, but the weather can have a huge impact on how long exterior paint lasts. For homes located in temperate climates, paint can last for longer periods of time. Homes, particularly wooden ones, located in areas with extreme temperatures may need to be painted more frequently. A wooden surface that gets several hours of sun each day may need to have a fresh coat of paint every five years. Those who live close to the beach are likely to need to have exterior painting contractors paint their home more frequently than those living in dryer areas.

Factor #3: Experience of the Exterior Painting Contractor

The actual experience of the painting contractor can also influence how long a paint job will last. A professional contractor will take enough time to prepare the home’s surface prior to exterior painting properly. The experienced painting contractor will repair the surface, as well as scrape, sand or fill it where needed. This will help the paint adhere better and last a lot longer. Usually, two coats of paint are needed to provide long-lasting coverage, but in some cases, only one coat of paint is required.

Exterior Paint Warning Signs

Here are just five warning signs that you should probably have your home’s exterior repainted.

Sign #1: Damaged Stucco and Wood

We’ve heard it a thousand times that someone sold a homeowner on a special stucco or wood that would never need painting again. Then, one day they look outside and see cracks in stucco or rotting planks of wood.

Every home exterior needs protection, no matter how cool or new the material is. No stucco or wood is invincible. If you find yourself needing to replace elements of your home’s exterior, we recommend getting it repainted to make sure everything is properly secure and guarded against the weather.

Sign #2: Peeling Paint

When those little strips of paint start to flake off of your home, you need to take action. They’re a warning sign that your home is exposed and could be damaged by the rain and sun we know will be coming our way this summer, plus the snows returning in the winter.

Peeling paint means your wood or other siding is exposed, and that leads to rot, plus mold and mildew. The longer you leave it, the more these problems grow. Leave it for enough time, and they’ll even find their way inside your home.

The good news is that a fresh coat of paint with a little TLC beforehand can ensure your home’s exterior is not at risk for water damage or any other harm.

Sign #3: Fading

Faded paint indicates another exposed area of your home and is one of the first flags that you need to have your exterior repainted. Fading is actually your friend because it means you’re typically catching things early enough.

Not sure if it’s just a bad job matching a previous color? Take a rag and rub it against your siding firmly. If you see chips come off, your home is missing the protection that it needs. Moisture will harm your siding and cause anything from warping to mold.

Sign #4: Cracked Caulking

Often found near doors and windows, cracks in your caulking indicate there’s a sealing problem with your home’s exterior, and you might have water, weather or bugs invade from the outside. Take a look around these areas on your home and anywhere your siding connects to corners and joints.

Simple, small cracks can be filled with fresh caulking, but any major gaps and missing elements likely mean there’s enough potential for harm that you want a new coat of paint to help protect.

Sign #5: You Want a New Look

Not every new coat of paint happens because there’s something wrong.

Sometimes homeowners are just in the mood for a new look and want their home to match their changing style or lifestyle. There’s nothing wrong with a fresh coat that gives you an amazing look to make the neighbors jealous. As an added bonus, you also get a fresh set of protection from the elements and will have a home look that lasts for years to come.

If you are ready to have your home painted by a professional exterior painting contractor, please contact us. Shoreline Painting and Drywall has been painting homes in the Stamford, Connecticut area for more than three decades.