A house’s paint is one of the most important features it has and you can tell a lot about a home just by looking at its surface.
A freshly painted house with the right colors has major street appeal but also adds to the beauty of the home, and it’s one project that you can do to majorly improve its value.
How often should you paint your home, though?
Generally speaking, a house needs a fresh coat of paint every five to 10 years, but this figure depends on a few factors. The weather, level of sun damage, the previous paint application, and desire for a new color and house design might all impact how much time you leave in between a new coat of paint.
There’s one thing for sure though, giving your house a makeover with fresh paint can add a dramatic change to how it looks. You’ll make your home look instantly younger, it can hide any unsightly marks and cracks, and give it a modern look that brings makes it a lot more attractive.
If you’ve been considering painting your home but have no idea where to start, let this guide help you out.
We’ve answered all of the important questions like how often to paint a house, how to plan the project, and the best time of year to get it done, so your home can reap the benefits of a fresh new face and a much-needed makeover.
Contents
How Long Does Paint Last on a House?
A fresh coat of paint on your house can make an instant difference, but how long should it go between paints to keep this fresh look?
There are a few factors you’ll have to consider when determining how long the paint will last on your house, and how long you should wait until it’s time to reapply or choose a new color.
The previous paint job
If you’ve recently purchased a house that looks like it needs some new paint, you’ll have to assess the last paint job before you begin.
A house that was painted professionally tends to last longer in better condition due to the quality of paint and techniques used and sometimes lasts 10 years or more without needing to be done again.
The type of paint
A house with painted acrylic paint will withstand harsh weather and sunlight better than an oil-based enamel paint. Acrylic paints have better UV protection and are more forgiving in hotter weather, compared to an oil-based paint that can become brittle over time.
Surface material
The surface being painted will have an impact on how long it holds color. Homes made of wood siding will need to be painted every three to seven years, whereas a brick or block home usually lasts longer, up to 10 years.
Sun position
Make a note of where the sun is positioned during the day on your home.
Some areas of the house may be more prone to sun exposure which can damage the paint or affect the color. Homes with full sun exposure will generally need to be painted more often to make up for the added UV damage.
Weather and climate
The climate you live in can dictate how long the paint job lasts on your home. Warmer climates can affect paint more quickly, as the paint dries out and becomes chalky and brittle, compared to someone in a temperate climate.
Changing design trends
Even if your paint isn’t due for a refresher, you might decide that the old color or style of your home needs updating. Therefore, the paint can last as long as the previous color palette stays in fashion, which is why it’s recommended to choose something that will age well.
Renovations or damage to the home
If your home has been damaged due to a natural disaster, accident, or general aging, adding a coat of paint can get rid of unsightly marks and cracks.
Likewise, if you plan on renovating the inside or replacing the roof, it might be a good time to paint the house as well.
The Costs of Painting Your House
Before getting into any type of home renovation project, you need a good idea of the costs you’ll accrue. It’s always a wise idea to add a little more with renovations, as there are usually surprises along the way that tend to make the budget creep up.
When it comes to the exterior of your house, the average cost to paint 2,400 square foot two-story home in the United States is between $2,000 and $3,500, with slightly less for a one-story home.
Within these costs, you’ll get labor which can cost between $30 to $40 per painter per hour, as well as the time it takes them to plan the job as well as hire the equipment.
If you plan on painting it yourself, you’ll still need to purchase or hire the equipment, but you can save on labor costs. Rough estimates include the painting supplies and scaffolding or a boom lift to reach the higher spots, which can cost around $1,000 a week for hire.
The paint and supplies cost is another fact and one that can vary depending on the quality of paint you want to use.
Lower end paint costs around $20 per gallon and higher-end premium paint around $70 a gallon, with most homeowners going somewhere in between for the average project. Keep in mind though, the lower the quality the less time it will last, so it’s worth it to spend more on something better.
Finally, the extras aside from the house that need to be painted also have to be factored in. Consider whether you have to add a second coat if the color requires it, and the costs for things like doors, exterior trim, as well as any damages that need to be repaired along the way.
The Best Time of the Year to Paint and Other Tips
Timing is key when you’re planning to paint the outside of your house, and the best time of the year to paint will depend entirely on your local climate and weather conditions. In general, though, the best painting season is thought to be summer.
In summer, the weather is warm which means optimal drying conditions. If you’re somewhere that doesn’t have extreme weather happenings like monsoons and hurricanes, you’ll probably find the rain is at a lower level than usual as well.
However, if summer is known for being incredibly intense in your location, you’ll want to avoid painting here as the higher temperatures can dry the paint prematurely and lead to cracks.
For climates with especially hot summers, autumn is the next best option, provided the temperature isn’t fluctuating too much. Paint needs consistency to dry properly, so if it’s been a particularly hot day with a very cool night, it can mess things up.
Choose a time of the season when temperatures remain fairly stable through the day and night and you’ll reap far better results.
Regardless of the season you decide to paint in, you should ensure that there’s no direct sunlight on the area you’re working on.
Plan your painting according to the schedule of the sun in the days leading up and make a note of where the sun hits on the house and at what time. This will prevent premature drying and further UV damage to your brand new paint job.
Related Questions
House painting is one of the simplest yet most effective home improvement projects you can undertake, and whether you want to do it yourself or hire a professional, the results can be dramatic.
Just like any other renovation job, there are a lot of finer points to knowing how often to paint your house, so check out some FAQs about the project that can help you out.
Can You Paint Your House in Winter?
There’s no harm in painting the inside of your house during winter but for exterior paint, the temperatures may be too low for it to set correctly.
Depending on the type of paint you use and its quality, technology allows for paint to dry at temperatures between 35 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and this temperature needs to remain consistent during the night and day.
Can You Paint Your House After Rain?
You should never attempt to paint a house while it’s raining and if there’s been a recent downfall in the last 24 hours, it will need further time to dry.
Paint needs a dry surface to stick correctly and if it’s moist from the humidity in the air or the water droplets still on the house, you should give it another day to test again.
