How Often Should the Exterior of a House Be Painted?

The exterior of your house is beginning to look like a mess. It’s cracking, it’s dirty, and there might even be some water damage.

You’re aware that these are signs it might be time to paint your home’s exterior, but you aren’t even sure when it was last painted.

Now you find yourself wondering, “How often should you paint your house exterior?” Maybe it’s time.

Here we will cover:

  • How often you should paint the exterior of your home
  • Signs it might be time to repaint a house’s exterior; and
  • Tips for a long-lasting and quality exterior paint job

 

Table of Contents

 

How Often Should I Paint the Exterior of My House?

After owning your home for ten years, you realize you have yet to touch up or repaint the exterior. 

Now you’re curious. Is there a general rule of thumb for how often should you repaint your house exterior?

In fact, there is.

Although there is no specific time frame, the general rule is, on average, every eight to 10 years. If there doesn’t seem to be any imminent reason for repainting the exterior during that time frame, some people stretch repainting as far as 10 to 15 years.

Of course, the longer you wait to repaint your home’s exterior, the more likely it is you’ll begin to see damage to the paint.

Some factors will come into play to help determine how often to repaint a house exterior, like:

  • Where you live
  • Climate and weather; and
  • Quality of previous paint job

Is your home in need of an exterior paint refresh? 

Two Brothers Painting is a family-operated home painting business that is equipped to tackle the job of repainting your home’s exterior.

 

how often to paint house exterior

 

How Often to Repaint a House’s Exterior: Guidelines Based on Exterior Surface 

Not every home exterior is the same. 

They might vary based on where you live, or the preference of the homeowner. 

Your home’s exterior surface will play a part in how often it might need to be repainted, for instance:

  • Wood-siding: Every three to seven years. Every four years if it’s stained wood
  • Aluminum siding: About every five years
  • Stucco: Around five to six years
  • Brick: 15 to 20 years

Newer, popular siding options, like cement fiberboard siding, can go about 10 to 15 years before needing to be repainted.

 

how often to paint the exterior of a house

 

7 Factors That Help Determine How Often to Paint the Exterior of a House 

You’ve noticed an uptick in your neighbors repainting the exterior of their homes. 

As you walk around your home to inspect if you should be painting, too, you begin to wonder how often should the exterior of a house be painted? Surely yours is due if all of your neighbors are painting theirs. 

Before you deep dive into the extensive work that is repainting your home’s exterior, review these factors to determine if it’s time.

 

#1: Signs of Wear and Tear

If your home is showing obvious signs of wear and tear, it’s time for some work. 

Although chipping paint might seem like a cosmetic issue, there are greater risks to wear and tear on your home’s exterior that can cause major damage.

Exterior paint is designed to protect your home from the elements — rain, wind, water, extreme cold or hot temperatures, etc. 

If you notice …

  • Discoloration of your siding
  • Mold
  • Water damage or signs of dampness
  • Rot
  • Breaking or cracking
  • Chalkiness
  • Insect or rodent infestation
  • Dents in siding; or
  • Broken bricks

… it’s time to repaint your house exterior.

 

#2: Fading

Fading is one of the most common problems in homes that have painted exteriors. 

Although fading is more typical with darker shades of paint because they’re prone to absorb sunlight and heat, it can still happen to light-colored painted exteriors.

Unfortunately, fading just happens over time, no matter what you do to avoid it. 

But if you want to minimize fading and attempt to slow the process down, follow these suggestions:

  1. Choose a light paint color to avoid absorbing heat and sunlight and protect the paint pigments.
  2. Choose a paint designed for home exteriors.
  3. Don’t over-thin the paint before applying, and apply in thick coats.
  4. Properly prep the surface.

 

#3: Hardened or Cracked Caulk

Caulking the exterior of your home closes off any potential openings and protects it from elements, bugs, and any damage getting underneath the siding.

Caulk is meant to contract and expand with your house, but it loses elasticity over time. When this happens, it eventually hardens and begins to crack.

Check the caulking around:

  • Where two adjoining walls meet
  • Doorways
  • Windows
  • Door thresholds
  • Electrical outlets
  • Pipes
  • Cables
  • HVAC units; and
  • Phone lines

If the exterior of your home is …

  • Brick
  • Stone
  • Block; or
  • Concrete

… fill in any visible cracks.

 

#4: Damage From the Elements

Depending on where you live, different climates and weather can affect your home’s exterior paint.

Hot summers and direct sunlight may cause bubbling and fading. Harsh winters, intense storms, and high humidity can all quickly age a paint job.

If you begin to notice any effects from elements, such as … 

  • Fading
  • Cracking
  • Breaking
  • Rot; or 
  • Water damage

 … it’s probably time to think about repainting your home’s exterior.

 

#5: Previous Paint Job

The quality of the previous paint job can play a big part in how often to paint the exterior of a house.

Maybe:

  • They used low-quality paint
  • They didn’t consider drying time between applications
  • It’s obviously a DIY job; or
  • You’re unsure of when the last paint job happened

If you’re new to the home and didn’t live there when it was last painted, you might not know anything about the quality of the previous paint job.

If your home’s exterior is showing signs of repainting, or you simply want to start fresh with a new paint job, now is a good time to do it. 

Want to avoid the DIY home exterior paint look? Two Brothers Painting is happy to help.

 

#6: Prepping to Move

Refreshing your home’s exterior paint is a simple way to potentially raise the value of your house when you’re trying to sell it. 

Not only does it give your home a fresh and clean look, but it also adds to the curb appeal for potential buyers.

 

#7: Time Is Up

You walked around your home and inspected the exterior for damage, but everything looks good.

Maybe you did the last exterior paint job nearly 10 years ago.

You’re also not moving or looking to sell.

Even if none of these factors currently apply to you, if the ideal window of time has passed, it might just be time for an exterior home paint refresh.

By staying on top of repainting your home’s exterior, you can avoid the damage and issues that are bound to come with time.

 

how often should you paint your house exterior

 

If It’s Time to Paint Your House’s Exterior, Keep These Tips In Mind 

Now that you understand how often to paint a house exterior, you might be thinking it’s time to paint yours.

Before running out and buying your supplies, here is a list of our top tips for a quality and long-lasting exterior paint job:

  1. Treat any damage. This could be: 
    • Rotten wood
    • Mold
    • Broken siding panels 
    • Holes
    • Caulk seams
    • Water damage; or
    • Anything else you might find
  2. Power wash or sandblast the surface to start with a clean and smooth exterior before painting. 
  3. Work with a fully dry exterior surface.
  4. Use a primer to prepare the surface for paint and give it a smoother look when finished.
  5. Choose an acrylic latex exterior paint. This is the most durable choice and is most resistant to fading. Apply two to three coats. Remember, lighter shades tend to last longer.
  6. Paint on a day with ideal temperatures. Pick a dry and mild day with temperatures between 50-90℉ for paint longevity.

 

how often should i paint the exterior of my house

 

Two Brothers Painting: Top-Ranked Exterior Paint Professionals In the Portland Metro Area

There is a lot of mental and physical work that goes into painting the exterior of a home. 

Not only do you have to assess and fix any exterior damage, but you must shop for and choose the right materials for: 

  • Prep
  • Priming; and
  • Painting

We know it can be difficult.

At Two Brothers Painting, we have over 150 years of combined painting experience, and we want to paint your home.

If you’re looking to avoid the hassle and inconveniences of a DIY paint job contact Two Brothers Painting for a quote.

 

how often to paint house exterior