How often should you paint your house? It’s such a common question by the homeowners and it’s not about to go away anytime soon.

Well, painting your house is an easy and affordable way to protect the building materials against damages from extreme weather conditions. Furthermore, it increases your home’s value while allowing you to add a personal touch to your living space.

However, constant exposure to harsh weather and mechanical forces causes the binders in paint to degrade. Consequently, the color fades, and the paint loses its protective ability.

You will have to apply a fresh coat of paint from time to time to maintain the integrity and luster of your home. So, back to our topic of discussion, how often should you paint your house?

On average, you will need to repaint your house’s exterior every 5-15 years, depending on the siding material and the location of your home. For instance, a cement fiberboard siding will need fresh paint between 10-15 years, while a wood siding may need one as early as five years.

You will have to paint more often if your house is in a region with intense sunlight, while the paint on homes in colder areas can stay tough for up to 20 years!

Home interiors usually need a new paint job every 3-5 years; however, you may have to do it sooner if you remodel your home before that time passes.

Certain areas of your home, such as kitchens, play areas, and bathrooms, will need fresh paint more often. They experience traffic more frequently and get exposed to moisture more than other rooms in the house.

So, it is important that you always paint your house both interior and exterior to get the very best out of it. Keep reading this article for more information regarding the subject.

How Often Do You Paint Your House Exterior?

Your house exterior is what people see first when they pass by your home. It creates the first impression of your living space; hence, you must keep the paint on your exterior fresh at all times. So how frequently should you paint your exterior walls?

The best time to paint your house exterior is when the paint starts to show signs of degradation, such as color fade, cracking, chalking, and peeling.

On average, most surfaces will show these signs and need fresh paint in about five years. However, you cannot safely depend on this timeline for all homes because several factors affect the longevity of exterior paint differently.

The following is an in-depth look into all the factors that affect paint and how each determines how often you paint your house exterior.

• Your Home’s Location

Houses in warm sunny areas require painting more often because of the sun’s adverse effects on the paint. Cold and freezing conditions also weaken exterior paint causing it to age more quickly.

Houses in such regions require painting every 5-7 years on average, depending on the extremity of the weather conditions.

Homes in more temperate regions require painting less often. The conditions are just right to allow the paint to stay on for longer. Exterior paint in such areas can last up to 15 years, provided you prepared the surface correctly.

It will stay on even longer if you use appropriate products and painting techniques.

• Siding Material

Some house siding materials hold paint better than others; hence, they do not require frequent painting.

For instance, paint can stay on cement fiberboard and brick sidings for about 15-20 years, provided the weather conditions are optimal. Asbestos siding holds paint for up to 20 years as long as the paint is applied the right way.

On the other hand, paint on wood siding only lasts about five or seven years. If you stained the wood before painting, the time could extend to 10 years.

• Quality of the Last Paint

The quality of the product you use on your home’s exterior also plays a significant role in how frequently you will have to refresh it. Cheaper-grade exterior paints peel and fade faster, while quality paints can stand up to the elements for much longer.

Homes with single paint coats require painting more often than double-coated houses. Single coats are too weak to resist the elements for too long, while the reinforcement of a second coat makes the finish more durable. 

Signs It’s Time to Repaint your House Exterior

It is easy to estimate when to repaint your house exterior if you know the exact date you painted your home; however, if you cannot pinpoint a particular date, you need to recognize all the signs that it’s time to repaint.

Some signs of paint degradation are superficial, and a repaint can fix them quickly. However, sometimes they indicate an even bigger problem with the painted surface. In such cases, you will need to strip the paint, fix the surface then repaint it.

The following are the primary signs it’s time to repaint your house exterior.

• Fading color

Daily exposure to UV radiation causes exterior paint color to fade. Moreover, it slowly affects the molecular structure of the coating, causing it to deteriorate gradually.

So, when your exterior house paint starts to look dull and washed out, it is an early sign that the paint film is wearing out.

Paint color doesn’t fade off all at once. It is a progressive process, and sometimes it is difficult to tell how much fading has occurred.

The best way to check the degree of fading is by comparing the original paint sample or leftover paint to the existing paint coat.

• Cracking or Peeling Paint

When you see cracks in the paint film or if it starts peeling off the surface, you need to repaint your house exterior as soon as possible. If you let the paint sit on the surface like that for long, the continued exposure to moisture and the sun’s heat will cause it to deteriorate more.

Furthermore, you risk exposing the structure of your home to the elements, which could put the structural integrity of your house in jeopardy.

• Mold and Water Stains 

Water stains, mold, and mildew are common problems, especially in hot and humid areas. The stains are unsightly; hence, you need to cover them up as soon as possible to keep your property looking good.

Looks aside, these types of stains can also indicate a more significant underlying issue or a potential health hazard. I recommend getting the help of a professional to help you identify the underlying causes of the mold and water stains, then address them accordingly before repainting your house exterior.

Other situations also call for fresh paint on house exteriors, apart from the obvious physical signs. These include:

• When You Want to Sell

When you plan on selling your home, you may have to compromise and repaint the exterior even if there are no apparent indications of damage on the film.

Repainting will put your house on the same level as other surrounding houses that are newer or recently renovated. Consequently, it will increase your chances of selling.

Repainting before a sale also adds to the value of your home. You can sell it for a much higher price than before you painted because the new owner will have one less worry.

However, when repainting your house before a sale, I recommend that you use neutral colors – you can never predict the specific taste of your potential buyers, and something over the top may discourage some buyers.

• When You Need a Change

Sometimes the need to repaint your home’s exterior does not come because of damages or a sale prospect. It could purely be because you think the current color looks dated.

When you are ready to repaint, take your time to choose the right color for your home. You can select one that conforms to the style of your home or the color palettes of other houses in your area. This way, you won’t get bored of the colors too quickly

How to Prepare House for Painting

Preparing your house for painting is an essential step in the renovation process. It involves washing the walls, making necessary repairs, and other steps that you will see in this guide.

So don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with the paint preparation steps as I have discussed them for both interior and exterior house walls. Keep reading for more:

Preparing Exterior House Walls for Painting

Here are the steps involved:

Step 1: Pressure Wash the Walls

Washing your walls before painting helps with the removal of any element that can compromise adhesion. This step is critical, and you will need a pressure washer to guarantee demanding results.

Begin with spraying a mixture of water and cleaning detergent from the top to the bottom of the walls. Move your hands smoothly in an organized manner while overlapping the strokes by 8 inches.

If the walls are painted or stained, exert more pressure to remove the stubborn dirt. 

Step 2: Remove the Peeling Paint and Make Any Necessary Repair

Look around the house perimeter closely, taking note of the damaged spots. You may need to fill holes, caulk surfaces, and peel down loose paint.

A paint scraper works best for this step. Use it to scrape away the loose paint or use a paint stripping attachment connected to a power sander.

Note: Ensure you wear a dust mask when dealing with peeling paint.

Step 3: Sand the Exterior Walls

Here comes another critical step. Sanding your exterior walls offers a mechanical bond between the fresh coats of paint you want to apply.

Use medium-grit sandpaper attached to a power tool to roughen up the wall’s texture slightly. This way, you will create a paint job that endures high traffic.

After making the first pass, repeat sanding with fine-grit sandpaper on areas where you will use semi-gloss or glossy paint. 

Step 4: Prime

Priming helps to create a cohesive paint job that will last. However, you will need to choose a heavy-duty primer that can resist harsh weather, to avoid paint peeling issues.

Once you’re set with the suitable primer, take your paint roller and apply the primer throughout the walls. Be consistent with the delivery pattern to guarantee uniform coverage, and avoid loading the roller with too much primer. 

Apply thin coats of primer and allow each coat to air dry before adding subsequent coats. Remember that insufficient dry time can result in cracks on specific areas of your wall. So carefully follow the guidelines on the package to avoid setbacks. 

After priming, you should be ready to paint your exterior walls. Gather your painting tools and begin the job, assuming the weather outside is favorable.

Also, note that every minute you spend on preparing your walls pays off later with a remarkable paint job that’s visually appealing. Therefore, take your time and don’t skip any step.

Preparing interior house walls for painting involves a similar procedure to exterior walls, but you have to clear walls to avoid splitting paint on your furniture. Check out below:

First, remove all hardware on the walls to create space for an excellent paint job. They include:

• All pictures and artwork.
• Curtains. 
• Cables electrical plug covers. 
• Light fixtures if you will paint the ceiling. 

Remove all lightweight furniture and organize them in the center of the room to clear the painting area. If the furniture can’t move, cover them to protect them from catching paint. 

After you’re through, examine the walls for cracks and other imperfections. Fill cracks with a spackling compound and scrape off any excess. 

After that, follow the same preparation procedure used on exterior walls and remember to give the walls time to dry before priming. 

How to Paint Your House

Painting your house modifies the look and creates a protective barrier against weather threats and Daily demands. The process takes time and money, so you should ensure you execute the task correctly and with suitable materials.

Even though the process is time-intensive, you can sift through the instructions in this guide and paint your house like a pro. 

Step 1: Clean the House walls

Cleaning the walls is a must for the mission success of your project. You will need a hose to wash down the walls to remove dirt, oil, or grease. Use a stiff wire brush to go over the stubborn dirt.

Or, you can use a power washer if the wire brush doesn’t do the trick. However, be careful when using a power washer and avoid setting the spray too high. 

Step 2: Remove Peeling Paint

If you spot peeling paint on your exterior walls, remove it before proceeding. This includes any chipped, loose, or blistered paint. Use a wire brush to scrub the loose paint, but if there are heavy deposits of peeling paint, use an electric paint remover. The tool will melt the paint and remove it from the wall. 

Also, don’t forget to walk around the house to watch out for any damage. This may seem like an effort, but it ensures your house looks well after painting.

Pay attention to the window and doors where old caulk may need replacement. And also fill cracks before moving to step 3. 

Step 3: Prime the Walls

Priming offers a good foundation for your new paint to stick and extra protection from harsh elements. So you have to prime certain distressed areas on the walls, especially if you previously scraped away a lot of loose paint.

Use a clean paint roller for this step and start from the top to attain full coverage. Prime tight spots using a paintbrush or a sprayer. 

Always follow the drying time instructions before adding multiple coats of primer. 

Tip

The type of primer you choose depends on the paint you will use. For instance, if you want to use latex paint, you should opt for latex primer. 

Step 4: Paint your house.

After priming, follow with painting your house. Pour the paint into a clean dish and mix it thoroughly with a stick. Dip your roller in the paint and roll it until all sides catch paint evenly. After that,  start painting the house using up and down strokes to provide uniform coverage. 

Use a ladder to access the high spots and be careful not to fall. Avoid overstretching your arms to paint far areas. Instead, only paint as far as you can, then move the ladder to proceed with where you left. 

Once the first coat dries to the touch, apply a second coat to enhance the look and offer more protection against harsh weather. Use the same painting technique as with the first coat and use a paintbrush to paint tight spots where your roller can’t reach. 

If you are painting inside the house, ensure you remove everything on the walls, assemble furniture to the room’s center and place sheets on the floor to catch paint spills. After that, clean your walls and follow the same steps highlighted above. 

How Often Should You Paint the Interior of Your House?

When you use the right products and follow the correct preparation procedures, paint in your house interior can last from 5-10 years. However, some spaces will require painting more regularly than others.

Rooms that experience regular traffic will need fresh paint more often, while others can stay for years before you need to redo them. Below is an in-depth look into how often the rooms inside your home will need a paint update.

• Bedrooms

Adult bedrooms don’t get used that much hence they do not need repainting that often. They don’t experience much traffic, meaning no one regularly touches or dings the walls.

Paint jobs in these rooms could last for up to five years or even more if you used the proper interior paints.

On the other hand, children’s bedrooms experience more action; they need regular maintenance to look fresh. When they double as playrooms, they are more likely to get damaged, especially when the kids throw things or write on the walls.

Even if you used durable paint the first time, the frequent washing of the walls would make the paint coat wear out faster – you may need to repaint in three years or even sooner.

• Living Rooms and Dining Rooms

Formal living rooms and dining areas do not get much use, so paint often lasts longer than in other rooms. Furthermore, they tend to have more furniture, which acts as a barrier that stops people from touching and staining the walls.

The usual reason for repainting these rooms is the need to change the look of the space instead of combating the paint film’s wear and tear. On average, paint in these areas can last for seven years or even longer.

• Kitchens

The kitchen is the core of most houses, and as a result, they tend to be extremely busy. People often hang out in the kitchen, meaning they bump into walls and touch them more often.

The space also has more heat which causes the paint to wear off faster than in other rooms.

Kitchen walls also need frequent washing because of regular food and grease spatters. Regular washing affects the durability of the paint, which results in constant maintenance to keep them looking fresh.

Even if you use the sturdiest paint types on the market, you will have to repaint your kitchen cabinets and walls at least every three or four years to remain on the safe side.

• Bathrooms and Laundry Rooms

Bathrooms and laundry rooms also experience regular traffic, which will cause you to repaint more often. However, the main problem in these areas is the high levels of moisture and humidity, which significantly affect the durability of the paint.

Like kitchens, you will have to repaint these areas every three or four years to keep the walls in good shape.

How Often Do You Need to Paint Ceilings?

Ceilings are the most left-out parts of a house when painting home interiors. Homeowners primarily think about the walls and trims, forgetting that ceilings can also make a significant difference in the general feel of a room.

Unlike other parts of your home,  your daily activities do not affect the ceilings. However, they still get exposed to heat and sometimes moisture, bringing watermarks and other stains. These stains often look unsightly hence the need for a repaint.

I recommend having your ceiling repainted every six to eight years, even when there are no visible signs of damage. You can paint sooner if you need to change the style of your interior or whenever you are painting your walls and make it one big project,

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a 2500 sq ft House Exterior?

The average cost to paint the exterior of a 2500 sq ft house ranges between $3800 – $9800, but these numbers could go higher or lower.

A lot of cost factors go into calculating these figures, so you need to understand the full scope of your particular project to arrive at a price that is specific to your home.

Apart from the size of your home, the other factors that play a significant role in determining the cost of painting your home’s exterior include:

• The material of the siding
• The paint you use
• The kind of labor you use (Professional /DIY)

The following is an in-depth look into all these factors.

Cost By Size Of Project

Most professional painters charge per square footage of the area they have to paint, and the average rates of most of them range between $1.50 and $4. These rates could go higher or lower depending on the exterior’s condition and the location of your home.

When estimating the total square footage of your home’s exterior, you should remember that the amount of siding you have to paint doesn’t equal the interior square footage.

You should calculate the size of each wall of siding separately by multiplying the height and width, then add all of them to know how big of an area you have to paint.

You should also calculate the size of the other paintable exterior areas, such as gables and dormers, then add them to the siding total to get an accurate sizing of your entire project.

Cost By Material of the Siding

The material of the siding matters because different materials require different paint types and levels of preparation. Those that need more prep will need more labor to complete, and if they need specialized paint, the price could go even higher.

• Aluminum Siding

Aluminum siding is easy to clean with a water and trisodium phosphate mixture, and it dries almost immediately. However, you must sand and prime it with two coats of oil-based primer before applying paint on it. 

Oil-based products take much longer to dry, so the two coats of oil-based primer could add an extra day’s labor, increasing the total cost of your project.

Brush painting is also preferable on metals like aluminum, but it is more labor-intensive. For these reasons, painting aluminum siding can cost you up to $3 per Sq Ft.

• Brick and Masonry Siding

Brick and masonry are also easy to clean, but they take longer to dry. You can paint them using a brush or a sprayer, but your budget will determine which method you’ll use.

Spray painting brick and masonry will cost between $1.50-$2.00 per Sq Ft; because it covers a large area faster. On the other hand, brush painting will cost up to $3 per Sq Ft because it requires more energy.

However, it is the best method for masonry sidings because it ensures paint gets into all nooks and crannies for a more durable finish.

• Plaster and Stucco Siding

The issue with plaster and stucco is the amount of paint you will need to cover the siding efficiently.

Expect to use twice the amount of coating products as you would on any other solid surface. Hardened stucco only requires a quick power wash to clean, so you won’t have to pay extra for preparation labor.

• Wood Siding

Of all the siding materials mentioned, wood requires the most preparation. It is prone to moisture damage, so there is a high chance that you will need to conduct several minor repairs before painting.

Furthermore, you will need to sand the wood for better paint adhesion – a tiresome task that can take an entire day. 

If your house is in a moist area, you will have to apply a moisture sealer before painting. All these extra tasks and coating products will increase the total cost of your project so expect to pay up to $5 per Sq Ft.

The Paint You use

The paint you choose to use on your house exterior will make or break your project. Selecting an expensive quality paint is better than a cheaper one because cheap products do not last.

So what is the upside of choosing quality paint types?

1. Manufacturers make high-end coating products with better resin than the PVA binders in budget paint types. The high-quality formulas contain more flexible binders like butyl methacrylate. For this reason, the finish is less likely to crack or peel when the surface expands and contracts.
2. Quality paints have better pigments with hues that stay vibrant for longer.

A gallon of good quality paint can cost up to $70, but its results are worth the cost. Cheaper paint may cost you between $20-$30 per gallon, but you will face many repainting tasks in the years to come.

The Kind Of Labor You Use (Professional/Diy)

Most professional painters charge hourly for their services, although you might find a few that charge by the project. The more painters you hire, the faster they can finish your project, thus reducing the total number of hours to paint your house exterior.

The average rate of most professionals is between $25 and $100 per hour, so if you hire two painters to work on your home, expect to pay double the price.

A team of three professional painters can paint the exterior of a 2500 Sq Ft house in about 48 hours. These hours would put your total labor costs at about $3600-$14400.

You can cut on the labor costs by painting the exterior yourself, but it would take you longer to finish the job. Furthermore, it is almost impossible to achieve the kind of results that a professional team will deliver on your own.

Tips For Cutting Painting Costs

• Get Multiple Bids

Before hiring a professional, get bids from multiple painters so that you can choose one that’s more affordable for you. You can also get friends to recommend affordable painters they have used before.

• Do Some of the Grunt Work Yourself.

You can save money by performing some of the tasks yourself. You can do all the preparation work like cleaning the housewalls or removing old flaking paint.

You can also repair the surfaces if the damages are small and manageable before bringing in the professionals.

• Don’t Wait Too Long Before Repainting.

I recommend repainting your house before the old coat shows clear degradation signs. With the old paint still in manageable condition, you can save time on prep work which will, in turn, help reduce the total cost of painting.

• Reduce the Scope of the Project

Before signing your contract, look for ways to trim some aspects of the job that do not require immediate attention. You can pass on painting some parts of the house for the moment then paint them later when you can fit them in your budget.

How Long Should Exterior Paint Last?

Exterior paint should last between 5 years to 20 years; however, this timeframe is subject to change depending on the material you painted, the type of paint used, and the regional conditions of your home. 

All these variables affect exterior paint severely, and it is a pity that we have very little to no control over them. On the bright side, we can make a few changes during our painting process or around the home exterior to help the paint fend off the elements for much longer.

So, how do you make your exterior paint last longer?

• Prepare the Surface Properly Before Painting 

Proper preparation is essential to achieving a long-lasting exterior paint job. Dirt, mold, or chalky residues weaken the ability of paint to grip surfaces properly. As a result, you will have an uneven paint coat prone to chipping or flaking in as few as two years.

Different surfaces require different preparations steps before painting. So, identify the siding material on your building, then perform the proper paint prep specific to it to ensure a long-lasting paint job.

• Always Start With A Primer.

Putting on a primer before the topcoat is crucial when painting, especially on raw unpainted surfaces. Primer acts as the barrier between the surface and the paint, performing several functions simultaneously. 

Primer shields the surface from direct contact with the paint pigments and smooths out all surface imperfections to give you a more leveled finish. It also improves paint adhesion, so there are fewer chances of bubbling or flaking.

If you intend to apply acrylic latex paint, you can start with either a water-based or an oil-based primer. However, ensure that you only use an oil-based primer if your topcoat is also oil-based.

• Avoid Painting Wet Surfaces.

Coating products do not adhere well to damp surfaces. So, after cleaning your surface, wait for at least one full day before you start painting to ensure that all moisture evaporates.

Also, check the weather forecast of your region to ensure that there will be no rains or drizzles due during the painting time or in the hours following the application.

• Keep The Exterior Clean At All Times

Hose down your patios and underneath all underhangs every year to prevent dust and other dirt from building up. Furthermore, always plan a pressure wash for your exterior every three years after your paint job.

These measures will help remove dirt and mildew that may accelerate the degradation of the paint film. As a bonus, you will cut down on preparation time when it’s time for your next paint job.

• Apply A Protective Topcoat

Since it is impossible to control weather conditions, you can reduce its damaging impacts by using a polyurethane protective seal over your topcoat.

If you want to avoid the extra work of applying the seal, try planting trees around your home to keep away direct sunlight. You can also extend your gutters to prevent rain from striking against your home and hastening the wearing out of the exterior paint.

How Many Coats of Exterior Paint Are Needed?

All exterior paint manufacturers recommend applying two coats of their products to achieve the best results. However, most homeowners choose to skip on the second coat to reduce the amount of paint they need for the project and cut the overall painting costs. But does this help?

Applying a single coat of paint will cut down on your project costs, but it will leave your house exterior vulnerable to the elements. Even if you prime the surface beforehand, the one coat cannot withstand harsh weather conditions for long, and you will have to repaint in half the usual time.

Nevertheless, there are a few isolated instances where one coat of paint will work just fine. These include :

• When you color previously painted walls with paint of the same color shade and sheen, provided the old paint film is still in good condition.
• Using single-coat paint products over painted walls in good condition.

Apart from these few instances, I recommend that you always apply two coats of paint on your surface for all your projects. You may have to put up more money for the extra labor and use more paint, but the results are worth it. 

Here’s How to Paint Your House:

Conclusion

Paint increases the appeal of a home instantly. Furthermore, it protects the building materials from damages caused by extreme weather conditions, among other elements. 

However, the constant exposure to the elements causes the paint to gradually degrade, affecting its color and ability to protect the surface.

The best way to keep up the paint’s beauty and protective ability is by applying a fresh coat. So the pressing question is…

How Often Should You Paint Your House?

You will have to repaint your house exterior every 5-10 years on average. With favorable weather conditions in your region and thorough preparation, the paint could last between 15-20 years.

Paint on your home’s interior can last up to 10 years in rooms that don’t get much use, such as adult bedrooms and living rooms. However, kids’ bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens often require fresh paint because they experience more traffic.

You can tell that it’s time to repaint your space when the color fades or the paint film starts to crack, bubble, or peel off the surface.

You can also paint before these signs show up whenever you want to sell the house or feel like changing the whole look of your living space.

The cost of painting your home will vary by the total square footage of the space you want to paint and the type of material you are painting. Moreover, the type of paint you use and the labor you choose (professional or DIY) will also impact the total cost of your painting project.

I hope this article answers all your questions on how often you need to paint your house. If you have any questions or more information to share with us, please feel free to reach out in the comments section below.