Painting your home can take lots of time and can also prove to be quite expensive. So, how often should you paint your house? Waiting too long can do costly damage to the integrity of your home. On the other hand, you don’t want to spend money to upgrade your paint if your paint has plenty of life left. Because your home is likely your biggest asset, it’s important to recognize the signs when it’s ready for a fresh coat of paint.
How Often You Should Paint Your House Exterior
Most painting professionals agree that you should paint the exterior of your home every 5-10 years. That number certainly isn’t set in stone and may vary depending on the surface of your home and the quality of paint previously applied. Here are some guidelines to follow for painting different surfaces:
- Aluminum siding needs to be repainted every 5 years
- Wood surfaces require painting every 5-7 years
- Stucco should be repainted roughly every 5-6 years
How Long Does Exterior Paint Last?
There are some things to consider when it comes to prolonging your home’s exterior paint. If you want your paint job to last for 5-10 years, a lot is riding on the quality and kind of paint you choose. Just like everything, a higher quality paint will likely cost you more but is well worth it in the long run. Do some research before buying to ensure you are purchasing the best paint for your specific surface. You’ll need different paint for stucco, wood, aluminum, or brick. Keep in mind that a high-quality gallon of paint runs around $30.
How Often You Should Paint your House Interior
It’s difficult to give a specific time frame when it comes to painting the interior of your home. The level of use in each room is different which means that higher traffic areas will need to be repainted more often than a room that is rarely used.
On average, most interior rooms may need to be repainted every 5-7 years. Children’s rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms may require painting closer to every 3-4 years. Even if you use the most durable paint finishes, kitchen walls are prone to grease and food splatters and will always require maintenance sooner. Bathroom and kitchen walls require wiping down on a more regular basis, naturally causing the paint to wear down more quickly. Adult bedrooms, as well as formal dining rooms, don’t actually get used very often.
These rooms tend to have more furniture which naturally keeps any traffic away from the walls, prolonging the life of the paint. Children’s bedrooms often function as a playroom as well as a bedroom. This usually means there’s an abundance of activity taking place every day which can lead to not only dirty walls but dented and damaged walls. When painting these rooms, always opt for the more durable paint finishes such as eggshell or satin. Taking advantage of these more protective sheens will prevent dirt from showing and keep your walls looking nicer longer.
Signs you Should Repaint Your House
There are various conditions that indicate it’s time to paint your house. Odds are, you may not even remember how long it’s been since your exterior was updated. If it’s been a while, it’s important to self-evaluate the condition of your exterior. You don’t want to be negligent when it comes to such an important matter. Here are a few signs to look for:
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Fading Paint
One of the most obvious ways to detect that it’s time to paint the exterior of your home is fading. Over time, the Boise sun will cause your paint to fade, especially in areas where the sun directly hits your paint the longest. If your home is painted a dark color, you’ll likely notice any fading much sooner
than with a lighter shade. If you see fading on the shaded parts of your home, you could have a problem with water intrusion. Look for stains dripping downward that may indicate a water leak. Call in a professional if you can’t determine the source of the problem.
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Hardened Caulk
Caulk used on the exterior of your home is generally designed to expand and contract along with your house. It’s used to seal cracks between doors and windows. After years of exposure to the sun, caulk loses its elasticity and can become hard or start to crack. If you see areas where caulk is missing, hardened, or cracked, it’s time to repaint.
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Patching Stucco
Re-stuccoing your entire home is very expensive. To cut down on costs, patch cracked areas and repaint the entire house. Otherwise, you’ll be left with obvious patchwork areas and unsightly streaks.
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Bubbling, or Flaking Paint
There are several factors that contribute to bubbling, flaking, or cracking paint. But all are signs that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Generally, all of these concerns are an indicator that the paint is no longer adhering to the house. Somehow, moisture is getting beneath the paint. Extreme humidity, storms, and harsh climates can cause these symptoms in your paint.
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If You Want to Improve Curb Appeal
Maybe you just purchased your home but don’t love the color. Or you might feel that times have changed and you want a more up-to-date style. If you’re looking to sell, an updated exterior is proven to make your home sell faster and for a better price. Whatever the reason, a fresh coat of exterior paint will most certainly improve the curb appeal of your home.
How Often Should You Paint Your House Conclusion
Painting the exterior of your home can be a very daunting task. However, letting your exterior paint job go for even a few extra years can result in costly damage to your home. If you live in the Boise area and you’re unsure if your exterior is in need of repainting or you in fact know that it does, contact Boise Home Painting today. Our friendly team of experts can assess the situation and answer all your questions. We serve the entire area including Meridian, Caldwell, and Eagle. Click here to get your free consultation.
