How Will I Know When It’s Time to Repaint My Home’s Exterior?

January 3, 2025

a painter painting the outside of a house

When was the last time you painted the exterior of your house? If you can’t remember, it’s probably time for a fresh coat of paint! In any case, there are few home improvement projects as exciting as exterior painting – not only is it the opportunity to show off your new taste in style, but the end result can actually boost your home’s curbside appeal. However, many homeowners tend to put off exterior painting or simply aren’t sure about how often it needs to happen. Here’s what you need to know.  

What Signs Indicate When It’s Time to Repaint?

Paint doesn’t last forever, and even if you’re still satisfied with your home’s current color, you should still know when it’s time for a fresh coat. Some obvious signs that can indicate it’s time to paint include things like:

  • Wear and tear, such as cracking, peeling, or bubbling.
  • Faded color, especially if you’re in an area that gets a lot of sunlight.
  • Cracking caulk, which might make your home look like it has dandruff.
  • Gaps or shrinking in your siding, which may indicate the presence of dry rot.

How Often Should I Repaint My House?

Most house exteriors need to be painted every 5 or so years, but it also depends on the materials used during construction. Brick siding, for example, is quite resilient and only needs painting every 15 to 20 years. Other materials like cement fiberboard and stone can endure for 10 or more years. Wood siding tends to last 5 to 10 years, as can aluminum and stucco.

Other things to keep in mind include paint quality; while lower-quality paints might be cheaper upfront, they don’t look as good or last as long as higher-quality formulas. This just means you’ll have to repaint even sooner, which isn’t cost-effective.

You also need to consider where your home is located; for example, homes and buildings near beaches are exposed to intense sunlight and salty air, which can break paint down faster. Likewise, if you live somewhere that receives lots of rainfall or inclement weather, your paint might not last as long compared to milder areas.

Unfortunately, paint doesn’t last forever – but by understanding the factors that play a role in its lifespan and knowing when it’s time to break out the paint, you can easily keep your home looking fresh for many years to come!

About Platinum Painting

Here at Platinum Painting of McKinney, we’ve proudly assisted homeowners all across the DFW metroplex with a wide variety of interior and exterior painting projects for commercial and residential purposes. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up a FREE in-home estimate, please visit us online or call today for more information. Telephone: (469) 617-6476.