In Minnesota, we’ve all had that moment when we step outside, take a look back at our home, and think about repainting or touching up the exterior paint a bit. But, you may ask, “How often should I paint my house exterior?” This is an important question because it’s a decision that entails a bit of planning and considerable cost. Below, we’ll answer that question for you and more.
How Often Should I Paint Your Home’s Exterior?
Well, there’s no simple answer to this question since every home is a bit different. However, there are a few helpful guidelines you can go by but also a few factors that may drastically change the timing of your project.
Most experts agree that painting your home’s exterior every five to ten years is a good general rule of thumb. However, this will depend on factors such as where you live, the weather, climate, and your home’s previous paint job.
And keep in mind every surface is a little different. Here are a few examples:
- Aluminum siding: Repaint every 5 Years.
- Wood siding: Repaint every 3 to 7 years or stained every four years.
- Brick: If unpainted, it just needs occasional cleaning. If painted, repaint every 15-20 years.
- Stucco: Repaint every 5-6 years.
- Newer Materials: Usually requires less touch-up. For example, cement fiberboard siding lasts 10 to 15 years before you need to repaint.
What Impacts the Durability of Your Paint Job?
There are a couple of things that will impact how long your exterior paint job will last. The main three are:
- How your home was previously painted
- Weather
- Climate
Let’s now take a closer look at each factor to see how they play a role in determining how often you should repaint your home’s exterior.
Your home’s previous paint job
If you recently purchased your home, you may not be aware of exactly when the last time the exterior was painted. However, this would be a good question to ask your realtor or maybe even the previous owner because it can make a big difference.
If possible, you need to know what kind of paint they used, the paint’s quality, how many coats were applied, and the exact color used. All of these things can dramatically impact the longevity of the paint job.
Overall, the higher-quality paints in lighter shades will usually last longer. This is especially true if applied in 2-3 coats instead of only one. But, as far as paint types go, 100 percent acrylic paint is considered the most durable and fade-resistant.
Weather
Another thing is knowing the date it was painted, as it can indicate whether it was sunny, overcast, rainy, or snowing just after it was painted. The weather can alter how the paint dried from the previous job. And, of course, it definitely plays a role in planning a new paint job. Since we can get snowfall well into March, it might be a good idea to wait until about April or even May to paint. If you’re planning a DIY project, it’s a good idea to have your materials on hand and keep an eye out for a week where the forecast gives you the ideal temperatures and weather conditions.
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Climate
The climate of the area you live in, in this case, Minnesota, will also play a role in how long your paint job will last. In places that have hot summers, where homes don’t have a lot of trees for shelter, direct sunlight can make exterior paint fade and bubble faster.
In places like Minnesota, where winters can be pretty harsh, factors like higher humidity can also impact any paint’s longevity.
Maintaining your Exterior Paint Job
The best way to keep from having to repaint your house exterior frequently is to perform proper exterior paint maintenance. Spotting issues before they become too bad is a great way to preserve your paint job.
You want to look for specific signs such as:
- Mold
- Rot, Dampness
- Chalkiness
- rodent or insect infestation
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to address that issue right away.
Plus, it’s important to perform good general maintenance, which usually entails washing off moss and dirt from your home’s surface before these elements start to break down your paint job.
How to prepare your home to help the new paint job last longer
When it’s time to update your exterior paint job, there are a couple of steps you should complete to ensure you get the maximum mileage from your new paint job. And these steps begin before anyone even touches a paintbrush or sprayer.
It would help if you began by treating areas that have issues like rotten wood, mold, holes in the stucco, cracks, and other issues.
Fill in cracks using caulk while filling in holes or pits with putty.
A power washer or sandblaster can smooth the surface for peeling and bubbling paint. After removing the chipped paint, ensure your home fully dries before you start painting.
It’s always a good idea to plan ahead by knowing the local forecast. You want to paint on the days when you know you have several days of dry, mild temperatures ranging between 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now, you can paint outside of this range and still get great results, but you should always wait an extra couple of days after bad weather before getting started to avoid too much humidity in the air.
It’s also a good best practice to begin the job with a primer, as this will prepare the surface for your paint and give it a much smoother and longer-lasting finish.
Final Thoughts on How Often Should I Paint Your Home’s Exterior?
Information is key to deciding when to paint the exterior of your home. If you just purchased your home, you want to get as much information as possible from the previous owner about the last time they had their home painted, such as the date and type of paint they used.
Also, be on the lookout for danger signs such as rotting wood, cracks, and peeling.
And you want to pay careful attention to local weather conditions for when you plan your new paint job, ensuring you’re painting in temperatures and conditions that will allow your paint to dry smoothly.
All this can be a lot of work before even picking up a paintbrush, but the amazing results will make the extra effort well worth it.
Need your home’s exterior painted? Contact Minneapolis Painting Company today for a Free Quote!