Top Factors That Affect the Longevity of Your Home's Exterior Paint

The exterior of a house needs a nice coat of paint. There's no getting around it. However, many people neglect this, thinking that the original paint job will serve them for decades. Unfortunately, this isn't the case since most exterior paint will continue to look good for only ten years, and that's in ideal conditions.

The paint can deteriorate even sooner, depending on the following factors:

Past coating

House shoppers may want to ask the previous owner about the last time they had the house painted. The information can make a world of difference and tell you what to do next. Some of the essential details include the paint type, quality, and the number of coats. All of these can have a significant impact on longevity.

It'd also be good to know the season when the house was last painted. For instance, an overcast or sunny day can dramatically affect the drying process.

Overall, lighter shades tend to last longer, mainly if applied in multiple coats. In terms of paint types, acrylic paint is the most fade-resistant and durable.

Exterior maintenance

Maintaining the outside of the house and spotting issues early on can also affect the paint's lifespan. Look for natural wear and tear signs, such as dampness, chalkiness, mold, and rodent infestation. Taking care of these will keep exterior paint lasting longer.

In addition, regular maintenance allows homeowners to preserve the exterior paint. Yard work like washing moss and dirt off the home's surface can prevent paint from breaking down prematurely.

Elemental damage

As previously mentioned, the weather on the day of the paint job can have a big say in your paint's longevity. Not only that, but this is also the case in the future. Direct sunlight can lead to more fading and bubbling. Likewise, frequent storms, high humidity, and harsh winters can also cause exterior paint to age rapidly.

Direction

The south side of the house is more exposed to sunlight. As UV light is known to break down paint, the south or southwestern parts of a home usually experience wear and tear faster. Therefore, you may want to pay more attention to the siding or wood facing these directions. The same goes for parts of your home that are most exposed to wind.

The type of wood

The house's construction is another crucial consideration. Softwoods like pine and cedar are more prone to damage than hardwood such as oak. While hardwood requires a higher outlay, it needs less maintenance and is typically more rot-resistant, prolonging the paint's lifespan.

Hire a professional painting service

In normal circumstances, it's not hard to tell when a house could use a fresh coat of paint. But if you're not sure or would like to breathe new life into your home with fresh exterior paint, reach out to a reputable painting company in your area.

M & B Painting, a Father-Son family-run business, has a proven record of Service Excellence in residential and commercial interior and exterior paint projects. Call us at 623-289-3366 for all of your painting needs!