It is one of the most frequently asked questions: How often should I paint my home’s exterior? This is a rather important question as paint greatly helps to protect your home. How often our homes need to be painted is a rather loaded question. There are a lot of different factors to consider in order to answer this basic question. L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc will help to answer this frequently asked question.

How Often Does Paint Last on Exterior Trim & Surfaces?

There is no actual timeline as to when to repaint a home. It can depend on a number of different elements, starting with the home’s exterior and the materials used for its outer layer. In general, painted wood siding needs to be repainted every 3 to 7 years and stain about every 4 years. Aluminum siding should be painted about every 5 years. Stucco exteriors should be repainted every 5 to 6 years and brick every 15 to 20. Other materials, such as cement fiberboard or vinyl, can go every 10 to 15 years between paint. However, this is a basic guideline and there are many elements to consider.

Paint Quality

One major consideration is the previous quality of the paint that was used on the exterior. If the paint was cheap or of low quality, you can be looking at repainting much sooner. Higher quality paint can help extend the need to repaint the home to its maximum level. The paint quality will have different levels of resistance to certain types of elements. The two major elements that can weaken paint is water and sunlight. Water damage or constant exposure to water can cause the paint to bubble or peel. Once the paint bubbles or peels, the exterior of the home is no longer protected. Sunlight can dry out paint if it is intense enough. The paint can dry and begin to crack especially on wood or brick. Another element that can damage paint is physical damage. Damage from trees or other impacts can cause the paint to rub away and crack. Trees can provide great shade but damage the home if it contacts the side. In some cases, the exterior of the home may require paint if there is damage.

Paint Preparation & Application

Another aspect to consider is the quality of the previous paint job. In some cases, the paint job wasn’t done properly. There are many steps when preparing a home for paint. One essential step is pressure cleaning the outside. If the outside wasn’t cleaned, then dirt could have been left on the exterior. Painting over dirt causes bubbles and other major problems that will affect the longevity of the paint. If properly painted, then the exterior will require a new coat of paint earlier.

Interior & Exterior Painting in Amagansett, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Hampton Bays, Montauk, North Haven, North Sea, Noyack, Quogue, Shelter Island, Sag Harbor, Sagaponack, Shinnecock Hills, Southampton, Springs, Wainscott, Watermill, Westhampton, Westhampton Beach, New York

As you can see there are a number of different things to think about when answering how often a home exterior needs to be painted. In some cases, the home owner should inspect for peeling, cracking or damaged paint. If these elements are present, then the home is past due for a new coat. If mold or other substances were left on the exterior of the home for an extended period of time, then have the home cleaned and repainted to prevent future mold damage. Another major way to know if you need to repaint the home is by looking at it. If the home could use some improvement to its appearance, then have it repainted. For quality exterior, interior painting and more, contact L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc and schedule our services today!