How often should you paint your house

The best way to modernize or create stunning designs in your home is to paint. The paint is not indestructible. How can you tell when it’s time to paint? 

When painting your home, every three to ten years is a good rule of thumb. Five to ten years is the average lifespan of exterior paint and seven to ten years is the average lifespan of interior paint in the United States. Variables such as location, climate, paint type and surface affect the range. 

A fresh coat of paint goes a long way toward making a house feel more welcoming. Your walls deserve a new look, but painting is time-consuming and expensive. to know the difference between interior and exterior paint job for best finishes and paint selection you need to read our guide for the same.

There are many things to think about before you decide to paint your home. Homeowners are understandably concerned about how often they should re-paint their residences. So let’s get to the bottom of this wall painting mystery.

How Often Should you paint your house exterior?

If you see any of these signs, it may be time to re-paint your home’s exterior. If you see any warning signals, you should take action immediately to avoid costly consequences.

checkout: can you use exterior paint inside your house for painting purposes

It’s time to put your house on the market.

An inexpensive way to potentially raise the value of your house if you’re thinking about putting it on the market is to paint it. One of the most important factors when selling your home is its curb appeal. A fresh coat of paint in a stylish and current palette may do wonders for your home’s visual appeal. Your home’s new paint colour will dazzle even more with bright trim!

Fading

One of the most obvious signals that it’s time to paint the outside is fading. When it’s sunny in Sacramento, your house’s paint might suffer, especially if it’s a dark colour. The discolouration will be the most obvious wherever the sun hits it. A water intrusion may occur if you see damage on your home’s shady sides.

Caulk that is hard or fractured

As your home grows and shrinks, so does caulk. It’s a go-to material for caulking around windows and doors. Material can grow hard and lose its flexibility over time when exposed to the environment for an extended period. Calling in the pros may be necessary if you see areas with missing caulk, damaged caulk, or hardened caulk.

Roofing made of steel

If you have a metal roof, you may choose to paint it using acrylic latex paint. With proper priming, a paint job should endure an average of 10 years. Some metal roofs don’t need to be re-painted for decades. The amount of time between coats of paint depends on the manufacturer.

Siding made of fibre-cement

Durable and low-maintenance, this type of fibre cement siding is also known as cement fiberboard siding. Its fire resistance and high market value make it unbelievable for building homes since it mimics stucco or wood grain. Fibre cement siding, on the other hand, requires fewer paint touch-ups. The colour should last between 10 and 15 years.

Siding Made from Wood

Because wood siding comes in a variety of textures, styles, and finishes, it is a popular choice for the outside of homes. It’s easy to carry along and much easier to set up. It can also endure for up to seven years because of the paint’s endurance. Wood siding that has been stained requires regular painting every four years.

Cedar shingles

Siding made of cedar is a standard and realistic option for homeowners. Cedar is a highly sought-after wood because of its resistance to rot, decay, and insect infestation. Between five and seven years, a high-quality paint or stain applied on cedar should be safe to use. The colour can last up to ten years, depending on the climate and its application.

Before the onset of deterioration

Don’t put off painting until you see obvious signs of wear and tear. If you see paint flaking or chipping, it’s a sign that the paint has lost its ability to adhere to the wall. Water seeps through paint and into the underlying structure because of this. If you paint your house ahead, you’ll save costly repairs like scraping paint bubbles, replacing wood planks, and caulking seals.

Cleaning and Re-painting of Stucco

Instead of re-stuccoing the entire house, it is more cost-effective to repair minor cracks in your stucco. Re-paint the whole house once the damage has been fixed. You might end up with sections of stucco that are a different colour or seem streaky if you don’t use the right tools.

Deck

Adding a coat of paint or stain to a wood deck instantly transforms its appearance. On the other hand, paint is more resistant to the elements than stain. Acrylic and oil-based deck paints are the most common, with a lifespan of 10 years or more. Every two to three years, decks should be restained.

Once and For All

Even if none of those mentioned above symptoms is visible, painting the exterior of your home may be a good idea. Re-painting is a sensible idea if enough time has passed. If you see that your paint is still in good condition, it has done its job and is protecting your property. Get ahead of the game by painting while everything is still in good shape.

How often Should you Paint your House Interior?

You paint your home’s inside every five to seven years. It’s necessary to re-paint some walls more regularly than others due to damage or wear and tear.

For example, the rooms with the highest traffic may require more frequent cleaning. When it’s time to re-paint your home’s interior, use the following averages per room as a guide. 

The Living and Dining Rooms

These rooms are typically in high demand. Durable paint has an average lifetime of five to seven years. You may have to re-paint your house regularly if you choose less durable paint. If you only utilize your formal dining room a few times, you may want to wait longer between painting jobs.

The toilet and the kitchen

The kitchen and the bathroom get a lot of use, which leads to a lot of clutter. To make it easier to clean, these areas often require durable and waterproof paint. In these spaces, the moisture from the air might cause the paint to flake away. The kitchen and bathroom should be re-painted every three to five years. The most pleasing results may be achieved if you choose a paint specifically designed for the bathroom.

Bedroom

Paint the bedroom walls every two to three years to keep them in good condition. The room’s owner determines how often the bathroom has to be re-painted. Painting an adult bedroom is less time-consuming than painting children’s bedrooms unless the colour is altered. Children’s rooms are subject to more wear and tear, which necessitates more frequent re-painting.

Hallways

The paint on your hallways is more easily scratched and nicked than the paint on other parts of your house. You should re-paint the most frequently used sections of your home every two to three years. Wait a few more years if you don’t need to correct any dings or scuffs.

Ceilings

It is critical to re-paint the inside ceiling at least once every ten years. Re-painting may be necessary more regularly if there is a leak or if stains need to be concealed. The time required to complete a task might also vary depending on the location.

Baseboards and Moldings

Over time, there is a large amount of wear and tear on the trim and baseboards. The trim and baseboards should be protected while painting a room. On average, they need a new coat of paint every two to four years. But how often you paint a place is determined by its purpose. Re-painting the trim and baseboards is a good idea if they appear worn.

How Do I Preserve the Lifespan of My House Paint?

Preparing your house for painting and sealing the paint properly helps extend the life of your paint job. The durability of the paint is also aided by regular maintenance, such as cleaning. A new coat of paint might help your home last longer if you follow these tips.

Mould and mildew must be removed and treated.

Before you start painting, you should check the surface to be painted for mould, mildew, and degradation. Preventing issues like these from occurring in the future is more accessible when the information has been properly prepared in advance. Follow the label’s recommendations to eliminate the problem with mould and mildew-specific cleaning solutions.

Get Rid of the Old Paint

To ensure that the new paint adheres to the surface in a flawless, smooth layer, remove the old paint from the walls first. Soft down rough areas using a scraper or sandpaper. Because it cleans while it removes flaking or peeling paint from a building’s exterior, a pressure washer is a time-saving tool.

Repairs and Caulking

Aside from that, keep an eye out for flaws in the structure of your walls. The smoothness of the painting surface can be achieved by resolving these concerns. Caulk or putty can be used to patch up a crack or a hole. Whether you fix little dings yourself or hire a specialist to handle more significant problems, it’s up to you.

Pressure-Washing and Scrubbing

A thorough clean-up is necessary after removing the debris. A solution of soapy water and vinegar can be used to clean interior walls before painting to eliminate filth and sticky residue. It is quick and easy to remove peeling or bubbling paint from the outside by power washing it away.

Before painting the wall, let it cure for a few hours. It may take longer for the walls to dry inside. Using a fan or an open window may expedite the process. Before painting the outside, it may be essential to wait a few days.

Prioritize the Area to Be Remediated 

Before painting, prime the wall to ensure a beautiful and long-lasting finish. A single layer of primer may substantially enhance the paint’s resistance to wear and tear. It doesn’t matter what colour your base coat is; primer helps cover it. Before painting, allow your primer to dry for at least 24 hours.

The type of paint and the surface material may also influence the choice of primer. For example, exterior paint for wood or aluminium siding is available from some manufacturers.

Take Precautions to Preserve the Paint

There is no better method to extend the life of your paint than by sealing it. Exterior paint and locations with the most moisture, such as the kitchen and the bathroom, need sealant the most. The sealant’s box will tell you how long it takes for the sealant to dry and how long it takes to apply.

Several factors go into making a good sealer. Constructions of new homes with wood or vinyl siding benefit most from using a latex sealer. Different materials may be needed for stucco. Using a chalky wall sealer while re-painting historic walls may be beneficial.

checkout if you can use interior paint for outside paint job to get good finishes like inside.

Conclusion

Several factors influence how often you must paint your home’s exterior and interior, including how much wear and tear it receives and the type of paint you use. A longer-lasting paint is a great way to save time and work regarding property upkeep. Using a high-quality primer and a sealer appropriate for your project can extend the life of your painted surfaces. 

FAQ

• How often should you have your house painted, and how often should it be done?

According to our recommendations, you should have your home’s exterior painted every five to ten years. In addition to the previous paint quality, the type of outside surface you’re working with might affect this number. 

• What is the life expectancy of the paint on the exterior of a building?

First, you must choose the right paint for your outside job. There are a lot of elements to consider if you want your exterior paint to last between five and ten years. It costs about $30 for a gallon of high-quality paint. Read the labels carefully and select the right paint for your home or business. In the case of brick or masonry, you should use a paint specifically designed for that material. Paints for wood, aluminum, and metal are all different.

• What are the Most Effective Home Exterior Paint Colors?

It is best to use high-quality acrylic or latex paint for exterior painting. The pigments and extra acrylic solids in acrylic paints are of the highest grade. Acrylic paint is known for its weather and Sacramento heat resistance, making it the most durable. Painting with oil-based paints is more accessible, but the pigments will yellow if exposed to high heat for long periods.

Tushar

Being associated with art and craft field since decades as a hobbyist and life long learner has given me an opportunity to learn many new things related to art, craft, paints and pottery which i am trying to share with your guys on this website. I have expertise of being professional painter and potter for the last 20+ years

I have learned mind blowing cool tips and insights which makes me a person with ability to improvise and come up with creative ideas and solutions to make stunning and impeccable art pieces of all types which are adored by people across the globe on this website and other platform.