How often should you paint the outside of your house?
Most people paint their house exterior when it starts looking bad. Depending on the type of siding, it can be anywhere from 3 to 20 years. On average, most house exteriors need painting every 5 years. Besides siding, it also depends on the paint, location, climate, and weather.
Exterior paint can last 5 to 10 years, depending on the type of paint you use and the surrounding environment. Therefore, you can lengthen the time that a finish will last by prepping the surface properly and investing in a paint that matches the type of exterior that is being repainted.
Minimizing the need for prep work lowers painting costs. Most homes need to be painted every 7 to 10 years, but the actual timeframe varies by material and region. For example, cement fiberboard siding needs repainting every 10 to 15 years, but more traditional cladding needs painting more often.
After all, a quality exterior paint job is the most important step to improving your overall curb appeal. Even the color of your front door can increase the market value! Studies show that painting your house can add to its resale value. It is definitely worth your while to have your home painted by a professional.
So, How Many Coats of Exterior Paint Should You Apply? Two coats is typically all that's needed, if you're painting over a well-prepped, primed surface. This is particularly true if you are painting a dark color over a lighter, existing one, as you're guaranteed to have good coverage.
If you're wondering when the best time to paint your house exterior is, many painting professionals will tell you that early summer to early fall is the way to go.
Investing in top-quality exterior paint is like weaving a money-saving cloak around your home. Sherwin-Williams Duration prevails as one of the longest-lasting exterior paints on the market. Lighter colors, like white, beige, and grey, wear the crown of longevity due to their reflective powers.
Paint will usually dry the best when it's not overly humid. As we mentioned earlier, you'll usually find the best temperatures during the early summer and early fall, depending on where you live. Stick to these times of the year, and you'll probably end up with fantastic painting weather!
"You really want to avoid extremes, so ideal conditions can be 65 to 90 F. I've seen paint crack when it's really hot," says Winkles. Generally, this means that the spring or fall, when the temperatures are more moderate, will be the best time to paint your house exterior.
Most experts say that you'll need to paint every five to ten years, depending on factors such as where you live, climate and weather, and the previous paint job. Also, keep in mind that every surface will be a little different.
What exterior colors increase home value?
For the home exterior, the most attractive color to new homebuyers is somewhere between light gray and beige, or “greige.” It's a soothing color with an organic feel. Also, adding contrast with darker colors on shutters, front doors, and trim can create a standout exterior.
The air and surface temperatures should not exceed 90°F. Don't paint in direct sunlight – start in the shade or use a covering. Avoid days with too much wind.
![How often should you paint the outside of your house? (2024)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0_IDKASrras/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCNAFEJQDSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLBxtxFLjo_T50tlojg4fc_eZ_pDKA)
1000 sq ft | $3,030 |
---|---|
2000 sq ft | $6,059 |
2500 sq ft | $7,576 |
3000 sq ft | $9,091 |
3500 sq ft | $10,605 |
People Also Ask. Q: How long does it take to paint a 1500 sq ft house? A: a house 1,500 square feet in size takes about four days to paint entirely. Of course, that's if about three painters are working on the home simultaneously.
A small to average-size house (2,500 square feet or less) takes around 2 – 4 days to paint with a team of two to three painters.
The average single-story, 2,000 square-foot home can be completely covered with two coats by using six gallons of paint. That means you won't save much money by going for inexpensive, low-quality paint. Usually, it's a good idea to opt for the highest quality your budget will allow.
“It should be at least 50° F when you're applying the paint and shouldn't drop below 32° F at night for several days after,” says Rico de Paz, who oversees Consumer Reports' paint tests. Even if it's warm during the day, the paint won't form a good film if temperatures drop too low at night.
What temperature should you not paint outside? It is highly suggested not to paint below 50 degrees Fahrenheit if you use latex-based paint. If using oil-based paint, you can get away with 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but anything below that is too cold.
Top-of-the-line latex and acrylic paints all tend to be extremely durable, as they will use significantly higher-quality ingredients than lower-quality or oil-based paints.
Black and red are—by far—the hardest colors to care for. They need to be cleaned, waxed, and buffed often due to how easily they show everything.
What is the toughest exterior paint for a house?
Acrylic Latex: Great for most outside surfaces including wood, masonry, siding, metal, and exterior trims. These high performance coatings are especially resilient against temperature fluctuations. Acrylic Enamel: Exterior walls are where these paints do their best work, offering high durability.
Acrylic paint is the best paint to use for exterior painting projects because it has the highest durability. Acrylic paint can also resist extreme weather conditions for quite some time. It also maintains it's pigment over time so you won't have to worry about fading.
1. When Does Paint Go on Sale? According to our research, large hardware retailers (like Lowe's, Home Depot, Menards, etc.) DO put their paint on sale usually in the summer months, and more specifically around summer holidays (weekend of Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day).
Type of Paint | Average Lifespan |
---|---|
Latex paint | 2 - 10 years |
Acrylic paint | 2 - 15 years |
Chalk paint | 1 - 5 years |
Milk paint, mixed from powder form | 1 - 7 days |
For best results, paint opposite the sun. Painting between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on a mild day will: Ensure you have plenty of light to see what you're painting. Let the house dry off any morning condensation.
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