Whether you’re getting ready to list your house soon or you just want it to look its best, how will you determine the right time to paint? Everyone knows that a fresh coat on your home’s exterior offers instant curb appeal, but it also protects the surface against UV rays, moisture, mildew, and more. As your local painting experts throughout Central Maryland, we’re happy to help answer your questions! The standard timeframe is every five to ten years, but your home could require attention sooner or later. Depending on these three factors:
The Last Paint Job
Many homeowners ask themselves when their home was painted last, but they also should be asking how. Your home’s previous paint job will give you a lot of clues as to when a new facelift is needed. Ask yourself if high-quality paint was used, and how many coats were applied. It goes without saying that higher quality paint will last much longer, but the color is another consideration. Darker shades, especially on houses without a lot of tree cover, will visibly lighten sooner than more subtle hues.
While pondering your home’s exterior, also consider whether or not the house was properly prepped. If the last person to paint your home failed to repair cracks, remove mildew, and power wash walls, you may be left with cracking, bubbling, and other tell-tale signs of an inferior job.
Pick a Side
Your home’s siding has a lot to say about when it needs to be painted. A painted brick house should only require a fresh coat every fifteen to twenty years. Newer homes with fiber cement siding can go ten to fifteen years before repainting. Aluminum and stucco need a paint job every five years, and wood siding can be even more frequent. Spruce, fir, and pine should be painted every few years, whereas cedar or redwood could go five to seven years between applications.
Check the Weather
Where you live also factors in to when you should repaint your home. Heat and humidity weaken paint and lead to fading, so home exteriors in southern states may require more frequent painting. In fact, people living in coastal areas may need to brush up as often as every other year. Due to the damage caused by salty sea breezes and blowing sand. If you notice blistering or bubbling paint, or a chalky residue that rubs off upon touching, your house is ready for a fresh coat. Those in northern climates aren’t off the hook, however. Harsh winters and strong storms also wear down paint, so you may need to accelerate your repainting plans after an exceptionally stormy season.
If you’re getting ready to paint, be sure to pick the right weather for the job. Acrylic paints should be applied when the temperature is between 50 and 85 degrees. While oil-based paints allow for a little more leeway. Avoid painting in direct sunlight as problems often arise when paint dries too quickly. Humidity levels between 40 and 70 percent offer optimal drying conditions.
A fresh coat of paint can make a house look like a million bucks, but only when the proper preparations have been made. An experienced application doesn’t hurt either. At D&L Enterprises, we’ve been serving the interior and exterior painting needs of homeowners in Baltimore and beyond for more than three decades. Let us help you determine the right time to paint your home’s exterior and take it from there!