How Often Should I Paint My House?

Painted wall and supplies

Our homes are an investment that needs to be protected with proper maintenance. Interior and exterior painting are home remodeling projects which need to be done periodically in order to help retain or improve the home’s value. There is not one set rule that tells a home owner what type of exterior painting schedule should be followed. Most of the time, it is understood that a home needs to be painted about every 5 to 8 years. But this can depend largely on the type of paint that was used as well as the climatic conditions where the home is located. Some areas have weather conditions that are harsher on a home’s exterior than others. Most homeowners do not do a walk around inspection of their home every single day but there are ways to determine when it is time to paint the house.

Cracked or Peeling Exterior Paint

The climate in some regions can wreak havoc on the exterior of a home. Depending on the particular weather conditions in an area paint can peel or crack more frequently than in regions that do not have harsh weather conditions. Peeling or cracking paint can be a homeowner’s first sign that it is time to paint the home. As soon as this type of damage is noticed, it is important to have the home sandblasted and repainted as soon as possible. Otherwise there can be further damage to the home that can end up in costly repair bills. The framework and foundation of the home can become damaged if moisture or any other types of harmful elements are allowed to penetrate. The exterior portions of the home should be inspected frequently to prevent damage from occurring.

Type of Materials used in Construction

The type of materials that were used in the construction of the home can determine how often it will need to be painted. Paint has more than aesthetic value; it can provide protection for the exterior of the home. Different types of materials will require more frequent painting or treatment than other types of materials. For instance, wood shingles will require treatment more often than something such as cement fiberboard siding. Homes that are constructed using wood or cedar will have to be repainted between 3 and 7 years but some of the newer materials will only need painting every 10 to 15 years as a general rule. A certified home inspector can determine exactly what type of material was used in construction; they can tell the difference between some of the newer cement fiberboard siding and cedar or wood products. It is likely if the home was built within the last 5 years newer, longer lasting materials were used.

Buying Some Time

When the exterior paint begins to look dull, it does not necessarily require a new paint job. It may only need to be pressure washed. Having the home washed can brighten up cement siding as long as it is not damaged by spraying it too close. It is possible to wash painted wood as well but it is more likely that it can be damaged. You do not typically need to wash exteriors made of wood since water which stands for a long period of time can cause it to rot. Most types of non wood siding can be spruced up by a good washing and help delay the need for exterior painting. If it has been a few years since the home was painted and washing does not brighten it up, it is likely time to invest in repainting it in order to restore an acceptable appearance.