How Long Does Exterior Paint Last?

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.

Give the Exterior a Good Power Wash

The first thing you want to do to prepare your home for painting is to give it a good power wash. A power wash frees a home of contaminants and ensures a smoother painted finish. Power washing gets rid of any cracking, peeling or bubbling that may be currently present and eliminates any distracting residue.

The Kind of Paint You Choose is Important

It never hurts to invest in a good-quality, if not premium, paint when you are making a paint selection. Stucco is a solid surface and does not expand or contact like siding or wood. Therefore, you generally do not have to pay as much for painting this surface as you do when you buy paint for siding or wood. Expect to pay around $55 to $65 per gallon for painting a home that has a wood or sided exterior.

Make Sure the Painting Contractor is Licensed, Bonded and Insured

You also want to contact a contractor that is well-known in the local area for quality work. To begin the process, check such sites as Yelp or Angie’s List online. Make sure the contractor is licensed, bonded and contractor of this standing is normally committed to working in the community and to building a good reputation with his customers.

Surface Preparation – The Key to a Pristine Finish

Besides power washing, surface preparation is another important component of painting an exterior that will last for a longer length of time. Surfaces should be caulked as well as scraped and sanded and fascia boards should patched and prepped as well. If the exterior is made of wood, then the painter should prime the surface before he applies the paint.

One Final Note

Power washing, surface preparation, hiring a quality contractor, and using the right paint are all key components in painting a home’s exterior and maintaining the looks of your home at an affordable cost.

Exterior paint is an investment! We don’t mean this only in a financial sense, but also in the sense that your paint has specific tasks to do that will ideally yield a return. It protects, enhances, and prolongs the lifespan of your exterior surfaces.

These are all hugely important!

It stands to reason then that before you decide whether or not to paint your home’s exterior, you want to be sure that you are doing all you can to ensure that your paint will last just as long as possible.

So, circling back to the original question: how long does exterior paint last? Well, it depends on a number of factors. No two situations are identical because of differing age, environments, products used, etc. As a general rule of thumb, however, you can expect well-applied exterior paint to last at least five years, and often longer.

New Life Painting is a residential & commercial painting contractor serving Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach & other Coastal CA cities. Call us today at (805) 937-9836 to discuss your next painting project.