How Long Should My Exterior Paint Last?

The average homeowner in the Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland area needs to repaint their home exterior every 4.9 years. However the length of time a paint job lasts depends on a variety of factors. 

Some factors that contribute to paint failure are: weather conditions, temperature fluctuation, direct UV rays, and also the quality of paint used. One other main factor that affects the longevity of a paint job is the quality of the previous application. If the prior application has had adhesion issues, it could continue to fail, and take the new paint with it. The essential preparation steps include: scraping, sanding, filing, caulking, and priming properly.

It is easy to do a slack-job when painting your home exterior. While it may look good for a year or two, if the surface hasn’t been prepared properly, it will quickly lose it’s fresh appearance. It is very important to choose a quality contractor who you can trust to do the best job possible. Also, while the cost of paint may seem too high, the price directly corresponds with quality. Without a doubt you should choose a good-quality paint, regardless of the price. The best exterior paints are primarily 100% acrylic latex products.

Older homes that have previously been painted with oil-based paint tend to be painted every 3-4 years. However, if the surface is scraped well and primed properly, and if a good quality paint is used, the paint job should last 6 years or more. Of course when darker colors are used for trim, it might need repainting every couple of years to maintain their original brilliance.

At Hallco Enterprises, we are dedicated to doing top-quality work for our customers. If you have any questions about exterior painting or if you would like a free estimate, give us a call at 301-831-3679.