When to Repaint Your Home

Besides the added curb appeal and the good feeling you get when you give your home’s exterior a fresh coat of paint, repainting your home can keep your home modernized, increase its property value and maintain the exterior quality of your home.

When Is It Time to Repaint Your Home’s Exterior?

How often you need to repaint the exterior of your home largely depends on the material of your home and the climate you live in. Wood siding will need new paint every three to seven years, while aluminum siding and stucco need attention every five to six years. More modern home materials like cement fiberboard have a much longer lifespan of 10 to 15 years before needing a fresh coat.

Areas located along the coast that are prone to intense sunshine, sea salt breezes or whipping sand will find their home’s exterior paint will fade quickly or bubble and crack. Homes located in an area with harsh winters, frequent storms or high humidity are also prone to damaged paint over time.

Exterior Paint Options for Your Home

A major factor in determining how well your exterior paint will hold up over time and against the elements is what type of paint you use. In sunny areas, the ultraviolet from the sun can wear down paint, causing darker hues to lighten more drastically — oil-based paints are the most susceptible to losing color quickly and cause blistering or chalking. The ideal type of paint for your home is acrylic latex. This paint is less likely to harden, blister or crack.

Another important decision is choosing what type of finish you’d like on your home — glossy, satin or flat. Glossy paint finishes can make your home pop and have a grand appearance, but the reflectiveness of this paint tends to easily reveal imperfections like cracks. A flat paint can have a modern appearance that, unlike a gloss, will mask bumps or gouges, but over time, this finish will appear chalky and is the most easily susceptible to mold. The ideal finish for your home is a satin finish — satin is durable and gives your home an elegant and richer appearance than flat paint. A satin finish paint is also easily cleaned with fresh water.

Painting the Outside of Your Home Tips

Before attempting to repaint your home, you’ll want to ensure the exterior is properly prepared. First, use a sand blaster to remove any loose, bubbling, cracking or peeling paint. You’ll want to repair any cracks or holes if you have stucco, remove any rot or insect damage and caulk seems. Power wash your home’s exterior to ensure your paint will adhere to the surface and then allow to dry completely. The best time to paint is during dry and mild weather that’s not too windy. Apply at least two coats to ensure the maximum lifespan of your exterior paint.

Once you’ve painted, check your exterior every few years for signs of moisture, damage or cracked paint. Addressing problem areas and fixing any issues helps extend the life of your paint.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Painting Company

With a professional, you’re ensuring the job is done well with professional tools as well as:

• Safety training and equipment
• Fully insured workers
• Proper surface preparation
• Timely project completion
• Project warranties
• Product longevity

Make Over Your Home With Shoreline Painting

For over 35 years, Shoreline Painting has been assisting the homeowners of Fairfield County, CT and Westchester County, NY with sprucing up the exterior of their homes to make them look modern and new. We pride ourselves on offering fast and convenient service and free job estimates, and we are fully bonded, licensed and insured. Don’t hesitate to increase the curb appeal of your home — give us a call today at 203-302-1086 to schedule a consultation or complete our online contact form.