20 Feb Deciding when to paint your home’s exterior

The state of the exterior of your home says a lot to passers-by. A home with peeling paint and faded colours brings a neighbourhood down and will have a negative effect on your home’s resale value.

Repainting your home’s exterior is a key factor in improving its all-important curb appeal. However, we acknowledge that this is not a small job, so the timing of when to take on the laborious task is important.

In this article, we look at the right time to repaint as well as how to keep your home looking fresh in between paint jobs.

Repaint every 5 to 10 years

If 5 years have passed since the last paint job, it’s time to cast a critical eye on your home’s walls. If the last job was done well with high-quality paint, then you should be fine to hang on another few years before committing to the job.

Generally, after 5 years paint will begin to fade, and wood walls will dry out and possibly crack. After 10 years, the paint surface can become ‘chalky’ which is a sign that the top layer of paint is disintegrating. At this point, your facia boards may warp and need replacing too.

At the slightest hint of any of these occurring, it’s time to get to work… but only when the time is right. 

Consider the climate

If you live in an area that is prone to heavy rain, strong winds or blistering heat, you may need to adjust the 5- or 10-year schedule and repaint more often. Exposure to harsh elements causes fading, cracking and peeling, which will expose the wood or plaster behind the paint and cause it to rot.

Painting over old paint

Before you start any paint job, it’s important to clean, repair and prime the surface. So while it may be fine to paint over the old paint, you will need to ensure that all patches of peeling paint have been removed to make sure the new paint adheres properly. You can do this with a pressure hose or a stiff bristled brush.

Make the paint last

There are a number of things you can do to avoid painting your house too often. Ongoing maintenance, proper preparation and the use of high-quality material are vital aspects to ensuring your exterior paint job lasts a good number of years.

From a preparation point of view, get stuck in and pull back loose debris, wash and scrape peeling paint flakes and scrub away excess grime. You’ll also need to fill holes and repair cracks as needed using material that is designed for the outdoors.

The first step of application will be to apply a primer that complements your home’s climate exposure and also the type of paint you will use. As for choosing paint, consider durability and UV resistance when making your choice. Pick colours that blend into your neighbourhood and other surroundings.

When you start painting, work from the top down, using brushes, rollers and sprayers based on the surface requirements you encounter. Make sure to check the can and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for application and drying times. Finally, always apply 2 coats for maximum longevity.

A job for the experts

Repainting your home’s exterior requires time and expertise. As such, you’d do well to call in the experts, such as Pelham Painters in Hobart, to ensure your home gets the best paint coat possible, that will last for years and years to come.