How Long Does Exterior Paint Last?
Do you think the exterior of your home or business is in need of a new paint job? Not sure how to approach the painting process, or wondering “how long an exterior paint job should last?” Well, we’re here to help!
In this article, we’re covering everything you need to know about exterior house painting. After reading this article, you’ll know the ins and outs of how and when to paint your home or business and what type of paint to use for lasting results.
What You Need to Know About Exterior Painting
When it comes to painting the exterior of your home, the key to success is preparation. Here are some tips, tricks, and insights you need to know in order to achieve a long-lasting exterior paint job. By following this advice, you can extend the life of your home’s exterior significantly, saving time and future long-term expenses.
Your Paint Choice Matters
One of the most important factors in achieving a long-lasting exterior paint job is your choice of exterior house paint. Acrylic latex paint is usually the best choice for exterior painting applications because it’s a versatile paint that can be used over both water-and- oil-based primers.
What’s great about these paints is that, generally, they don’t harden over time. This means they’re less likely to blister. They also don’t mildew as frequently as oil-based paints, and they emit fewer VOCs, which makes them a more environmentally friendly option.
If you live in an area that experiences greater rain or storms, however, it may be best to go with an oil-based paint. These paints repel water and resist wear and abrasion more than an acrylic paint can. Oil-based paint is also a great option for steel and iron railings or any areas like steps or porches that get a lot of foot traffic.
Longevity Differs Depending on Surface
Every home is different, so it’s difficult to say how long your exterior paint job will actually last. Most painting experts will tell you that most homes needed to be painted every five to ten years. However, based on where you live, the general climate, and how good your previous paint job was, this timeline can differ greatly!
The longevity of your paint job can also differ greatly based on the surface. Here is a breakdown of how often you’ll need to paint the exterior of your home based on the surface type:
- Brick: every 8 – 17 years
- Wood siding: every 3 – 7 years (or 4 if it’s stained)
- Aluminum siding: every 5 years
- New or mixed materials: every 7 – 12 years
- Stucco: every 5 – 12 years
Factors That Will Ruin Your Paint Job Sooner
It’s important to note that the timeframes above are based on ideal scenarios. Certain factors will greatly impact how the overall durability of your paint job. Here are some of the most impactful factors and how they affect how long your paint job will last.
The Elements
The weather and climate of where you live will greatly impact how long your exterior paint film will last. If your home experiences harsh, direct sunlight all summer, the paint will bubble and fade more quickly than if your home was in a shady area. Alternatively, if you live in an area with long, harsh winters, high humidity, or bad storms, your paint could fail sooner and cause the exterior paint film to age at a faster rate.
The Previous Paint Job
If you’ve just bought or moved into a new home, you may not actually know the last time the property was painted. You should find out when that was and find out the type of paint that was used, as this will help you determine when you’ll need to paint the home again. Things like the type of paint used, the quality level of the paint, and even the color, can all speak to the overall longevity of the exterior paint surface.
In general, high-quality paint in lighter hues tends to last longer. Exterior paint jobs in which painters have applied multiple coats also last longer.
Exterior Maintenance
The overall maintenance and care of your home can also impact how long your paint job lasts. You should regularly inspect your home for signs of wear and tear, such as dampness, mold, and rot. You should also regularly pressure wash the exterior of your home and remove dirt and moss before these things start to break down the paint.
The Process of Making it Last
As you can see, many factors can impact how long your exterior paint job will last. The good thing is that there are easy ways to maintain your paint job so you can maximize its lifespan. Here are some tips on expert exterior house painting applications, allowing you to enjoy that beautiful home for years to come.
Use a Quality Primer
Every paint manufacturer has raced to the marketing of paint and primer in one. However, primer is still needed for raw unpainted surfaces. The primer will act as a base coat for the exterior house paint to adhere. It will also help (bridge) or smooth out any surface imperfections. If you decided on acrylic latex paint, you can use either water or oil-based primer. But you should definitely use an oil-based primer if you’re using oil-based paint for your topcoat.
By doing this, your top coat is substantially more likely to adhere properly. Which means no blistering or bubbling.
Apply Several Application/ Coats
Another important thing that increases the lifespan of your paint job is to apply multiple coats. Additional paint coats will serve as a barrier that protects your home from damage from weather or other elements. Make sure that you apply these coats correctly, however, and double-check that the sides and bottoms of all corner boards, window sashes, and additional exterior trim have been painted.
In general, it’s best to apply three coats (1 primer, 2 top coats) to any areas that are especially at risk for damage. If you don’t, your home may ultimately be damaged due to the weather – in most cases, water damage is the cause.
Don’t Paint in Direct Sunlight or Extreme Heat
When painting your home, it’s best to do it when it’s cooler. This is because direct sunlight can cause your paint to dry too quickly. This will not affect the actual paint. It just means harder work for the exterior house painters. Heat allows for visible brush strokes and general unevenness. This issue will also occur if it’s especially hot out, so if possible, only paint on days with mild weather. Or, follow the sun. While the sun is on one side of the home, you can paint the opposing side. House painters call this chasing the sun.
Keep Your Exterior Surfaces Clean
As mentioned earlier, you should keep the exterior of your home clean to prevent paint damage. Plan to pressure wash your home almost every year. This will wash away any dirt or mildew that has made your paint look faded or discolored.
Additional Thoughts on Exterior Painting
To answer your initial question, “how long does exterior paint last” from several years of experience, the answer is 4 to 8 years on average in Raleigh, NC. But by painting your home correctly and practicing the proper maintenance and care, you can extend the lifespan of your paint job and keep your home looking fresher for longer.
Do you need to paint the exterior of your home? Not sure where to start? Remember, if you have waited for the visual indication that the paint is starting to wear, you have already waited too late. Contact us and let us take a look. All of our quotes are free of obligations!
How Long Should Exterior Paint Last in Raleigh, NC?
One of the most frequently asked questions by our customers is, How often should I have the exterior of my home painted?
Here in Raleigh, NC, humidity plays a huge factor in answering this question. The extreme heat and moisture make for a pretty harsh environment.
Under these conditions, durable exterior paints must be applied. Using premium exterior paints is a starter for proper resistance.
Durable preparation products such as caulking, primers, and putty are just as important as purchasing good paint. In fact, as a painting contractor here in Raleigh, we believe that preparation is most important!
Read more to see what we mean by this!
Caulking is the Cornerstone of Exterior Paint Preparations
The fact of the matter is you can’t expect professional results without the correct preparations. The raw materials used in premium exterior house paints will most likely last longer than caulked joints. The improvements for caulks and other sealers are well-needed.
But until then, it is absolutely imperative to purchase a caulk that expands and contracts at an optimal rate. Allowing expansion joints to contract in the winter and expand in the summer without cracking is a reason to spend the extra couple of dollars on caulking.
Materials Specific For Your Application
Considering the extreme heat and moisture, it would be safe to say that no paint job lasts longer than five to eight years. Applying two coats of paint will highly increase the life of the paint job. However, purchasing top-grade paint will supply the same results and save money.
Even if the paint seems expensive, when comparing labor to materials, the materials will always be less. So, why pay for the extra labor with a marginal product?
The Importance of Maintenance
Properly maintaining your home is extremely important. If you want to properly maintain the exterior of your home, don’t wait until you see paint flaking before you consider hiring a painting contractor.
If the paint is visibly peeling or has started to oxidize (chalking), you are already past due for exterior painting service.
For a complete and thorough exterior paint quote, contact us today!
