Even though you probably spend more time inside of your house than you do outside it, curb appeal is extremely important. It influences the first impression people have of your home, and it can also affect your property value. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you maintain the appearance of your house on a regular basis. One of the main things you need to do, especially if you don’t have vinyl siding, is make sure your home’s paint always looks fresh.
It can, however, be difficult to know exactly how often different types of materials ought to be painted. That’s where this guide comes in. The following sections will help you understand how frequently you should hire painters to redo the exterior of your house and why paint lasts longer on some house coverings than it does on others.
Materials
- Wood siding – As a general rule, wood siding needs to be repainted fairly frequently, about every 3 years; touch-ups may be required in-between, as well. This is primarily because the paint on wood is prone to chipping. Stained wood siding typically needs a fresh coat every 4-5 years.
- Aluminum siding – Aluminum siding is not frequently used in residential projects, but is often installed on barns, garages, and workshops. This material tends to need new paint about once every 5 years, which makes it reasonably low-maintenance.
- Stucco – Stucco-covered houses usually only need to be painted once every 5-6 years, making this material a popular choice for homeowners who don’t want to repaint frequently. Furthermore, because of stucco’s texture, chips and other imperfections are hard to spot.
- Brick – Painted brick is a popular option for people who live in both historic homes and new builds. If done correctly, masonry paint jobs only need to be redone every 15-20 years.
Factors
- Prior paint jobs – The quality of the paint (and the quality of the painter!) you last used on your home can majorly impact how long you’ll be able to go before you need a fresh coat. The better the paint you chose and the more skilled your painter, the longer it will be before your paint job starts showing signs of wear and tear.
- Climate – The weather in your area will undoubtedly affect how long your home’s paint job lasts. In our service area throughout the Carolinas, clients live in a variety of weather conditions, from cold mountains to coastal towns. The more extreme your local weather patterns are, the more likely it is that your house will need to be repainted frequently.
- Upkeep – Homeowners who diligently maintain their homes’ paint jobs usually find that they have to repaint less frequently than those who take a hands-off approach. If, for instance, you regularly power wash your house, take care to touch-up chipped areas, and get rid of birds’ nests and other pests, your paint should last quite awhile.
The team at Hatch Homes is excited you’re considering us for your upcoming exterior painting project. We will work with you to select the right paint for your home’s location and make sure you feel completely comfortable with our crew before we begin working. We have served families throughout North Carolina and South Carolina for years, and we look forward to meeting you!