Painting the exterior of your house can be a daunting undertaking. But just how often should you paint your house exterior? With your home being one of your biggest assets, putting off painting for a few extra years can cause serious damage. Painting is a great investment that lengthens the integrity of your home while protecting it from the elements. On average, your house should be painted every 5-10 years depending on the surface type, quality of paint, and signs of wear.
How Can You Tell If It’s Time to Repaint Your Home’s Exterior?
There are some definite signs that can indicate it may be time to have your exterior repainted. Once you notice any of these symptoms, it’s best to act sooner than later to avoid costly damage down the road.
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Time To Sell
If you’re considering putting your home on the market, a fresh coat of paint is a cost-effective way to potentially up its value. Curb appeal plays an immense role when selling your home. A new paint job, using modern and trendy colors can really make your house stand out. Bright trim will make your updated house color really pop!
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Fading
One of the most obvious indicators that it’s time to paint is exterior fading. The Sacramento sun can really do a number on your paint job, especially if your home is a dark color. The most obvious fading will appear where the sun hits it the most. If you notice fading on the shady sides of your house, you could have unwanted water intrusion.
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Hardened or Cracked Caulk
Caulk is meant to expand and contract along with your house. It’s used to seal areas and cracks between your doors and windows. Over years of exposure to the elements, it has a tendency to lose its elastic quality and become hard. If you notice areas with missing caulk, cracked caulk, or caulk that has hardened, it may be time to bring in the professionals.
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Before Noticeable Signs of Wear and Tear
Don’t put off painting until you see visible signs of wear and tear. Once you see chipping or flaking paint, it’s a sign the paint is no longer adhering to the surface. This allows moisture to penetrate the paint and cause issues underneath. Painting your house early on reduces damage and lessens the need for scraping bubbling paint, replacing planks of wood, and caulking seals.
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Patching Stucco
It will save you money in the long run if you patch cracks in your stucco instead of re-stuccoing the entire house. Once patched, paint the entire house. Otherwise, you could have unsightly patches of stucco that are a different shade that doesn’t match or look streaky.
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It’s Just Time
Sometimes it’s smart to paint your home’s exterior even if you don’t see any of the aforementioned signs. Repainting is a good idea if the appropriate amount of time has passed. No signs of wear indicate the paint has protected your home and is holding strong. Stay proactive and ahead of the game and repaint while everything is intact.
How Often Should You Paint Your House?
We recommend that exteriors be painted every 5-10 years. This number may change depending on not only the quality of paint previously used but largely what type of exterior surface you’re working with. Here are some good rules of thumb to follow:
- Stucco should be repainted every 5-6 years.
- When painting wood surfaces, 4-7 years is appropriate. 3. Aluminum siding needs to be painted roughly every 5 years.
How Long Does Exterior Paint Last?
In order to maximize the life of your exterior paint job, you need to start by purchasing the right kind of paint. If you want your exterior paint to last for 5-10 years, there are some things to consider.
A good quality paint usually will cost around $30 per gallon. Pay attention to labels and be certain to purchase the right kind of paint for your home. For example, if your exterior is made of brick, purchase paint specifically designed for brick or masonry. You’ll need different paint for wood, aluminum, or metal.
Best Paint for Your Home’s Exterior
You’ll get the most longevity out of your exterior paint job by using superior acrylic or latex paint. Acrylic paints are composed of high-quality ingredients such as pigments and more acrylic solids. Acrylic paint lasts the longest and is widely known for resisting damage caused by weather and the Sacramento heat. Oil-based paints are generally thin and runnier than acrylic and also have a tendency to turn yellow over time from extreme heat.
HOA’s And Exterior Paint
An HOA (homeowners association) provides various amenities and benefits for your neighborhood. They set guidelines and boundaries to keep your community safe and cohesive. Some of these guidelines may indicate your responsibility to make certain repairs and touch-ups which may or may not require approval from the HOA.
Also, your HOA might have specific rules on brand, quality, composition, and even the color of paint you may use. People can tend to be put off by strict guidelines, but they are in place to try to give your neighborhood a unified and well-maintained look. You can always request approval from your HOA but they still may deny your request if it doesn’t fit their standards.
How Often Should You Paint Your House Conclusion
Painting the exterior of your home is never an exciting task. So, if you have questions about painting the inside or outside of your Sacramento area home, give PaintRite Pros a call. Whether you’re a new homeowner who wants to be proactive and change the color right away, or you’re simply looking to refresh your current color, we’ve got you covered. Our professional exterior house painting crew will improve your living experience by making your home brighter and the place you love coming home to. We serve the entire Sacramento area including Roseville, Stockton, and El Dorado Hills.
