How Often Should You Have to Paint the Exterior of a House?

There is really no one-size-fits-all answer to the question. Each house is unique and there are a 1001 contributing factors for needing a new paint job. You may be repainting for aesthetic or functional reasons.

For instance, a house in an industrial area may be subjected to dust and pollutants and may need to be painted more often due to cracking or yellowing of the paint. Conversely, the type of paint used and the construction material of the house also contribute to the lifespan of the coat of paint. For instance, wood needs more maintenance than concrete. A house that has wooden structures such as pillars needs to have these parts lacquered often to protect them from the elements such as rain and moisture. Concrete, on the other hand, is a lot more low-maintenance. Also, you may be repainting your house simply because you want to give it a fresh, new look.

As for the type of paint used, professional painters start off by coating the painting surface with a primer. This is to reinforce the coat of paint and also to give it something to cling on to. For the main coat of paint, latex paints tend to be more durable than their oil-based counterparts. They are more flexible and are more resistant to the elements such as moisture and temperature changes. Paints with a glossy sheen are also more durable than paints with a matte finish. All in all, every single one of these factors contributes to the lifespan of the coat of paint.

The best piece of advice is to consult a professional. He will be able to advise you on your specific needs after conducting a thorough examination of your house. A professional would be able to provide advice on the best type of paint and would even be able to advice you on the best colour for your house. Some professionals even go the extra mile of replacing wood surfaces, which may have rotted away. Professionals also provide a slew of value-added services, which may come in most handy. These include filling cracks and holes, lacquering wood surfaces and providing custom paint jobs such as speckling. A professional painter can even give a smooth surface a bricked look.

Hiring a professional also means that you get the entire house painted safely and professionally. Professional painters have the proper equipment and are able to reach all areas of the house. This means that they’ll be able to reach hard-to-reach areas such as the roof and will be able to get into every corner of the house with their complete range of painting tools. With a professional painter, you’ll not find that you have “missed a spot” or a “corner” because of the lack of tools. Also, with a professional painter, there is minimal paint splatter as professional painters prepare the area before starting work. This all means that you get a great paint job that will last. There will be no need for “minor retouches” until the next major paint job. In the meantime, your house is well protected from natural elements such as the weather.

As a rough gauge, have the exterior of your house painted every 5 years. Your house may not seem like it needs a fresh coat of paint but unseen cracks or other faults may be forming under the surface of the paint. Having your house repainted on a regular basis can cover up minor faults and prevent them from being visible. You can check out our painting services or give us a call for a free consultation.