How often should a building be painted? Let’s discuss it in detail. Repainting your home might sound like a big undertaking, but it’s an intelligent investment in preserving your property’s appearance and structural integrity. Your home’s paint serves as a protective shield against the elements and makes the first impression on visitors and potential buyers. Here, we break down eight clear signs that it’s time to think about giving your home a fresh coat of paint and understand How often should a building be painted.

How often should a building be painted- 8 signs it’s time to repaint your house exterior

1. Flaking, Bubbling, or Cracking Paint:  

These signs can signal deeper issues like dry rot, wet rot, or mould, often stemming from compromised weatherproofing. Extreme weather conditions, such as intense sunlight, harsh winters, high humidity, storms, sandstorms, and ocean air, can all contribute to this kind of damage, and it is an alarm that should a building be painted.

2. Hardened Caulk:

Caulk is designed to expand and contract with your home, but over time, exposure to extreme weather cycles can make it lose its flexibility. If the caulk beads have become rigid and unyielding to the touch, consulting a professional to re-caulk and inspect for underlying damage is a good idea.

3. Fading paint:  

Fading paint is a common problem, especially for darker colours. If you notice fading on the shaded sides of your house, it could mean there are issues with the vapour barrier or water getting in. Keep an eye out for stains on the paint, and if you see indoor materials outside, should a building be painted, it’s best to seek help from an expert.

4. Patchy Stucco:

If you want to save money on stucco repair, you can patch the cracks and repaint the surface instead of redoing the entire exterior. However, it’s essential to repaint the whole surface to avoid a patchy look caused by colour differences or streaks.

5. Colour Transformation:

Exposure to UV rays can make the paint fade and change colours soon after it’s applied. For instance, beige can turn into an unexpected pink shade in just a few weeks. To avoid this issue, make sure to use exterior-grade paint that can handle UV effects.

6. Enhancing Curb Appeal:  

If your home looks worn out, the trim has lost its sheen, or it no longer stands out, it’s time to paint the building. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders, revitalise your home’s appearance, infuse freshness, and enhance its overall value.

7. New home:

Typically, contractors apply one coat of paint over pre-primed wood. While this primer helps reduce warping at the lumber yard, it might not fully prevent swelling or shrinkage. Priming the wood before installation and planning for a repaint within five years is a wise move. This ensures a robust protective paint layer before significant damage sets in.

8. Preemptive Repainting:

Don’t wait until paint chips or peels become visible from the street. Repainting your building minimises exterior damage and reduces the need for extensive preparatory work, such as scraping flaking paint, re-caulking seals, or replacing wood. This approach ultimately leads to a lower cost of building painting. Now, how often should a building be painted? Repainting a house is recommended every 7-10 years but varies based on materials and location. Cement fiberboard siding requires repainting every 10-15 years, while traditional cladding needs it more often. In regions with intense sunlight, stucco, vinyl, or aluminium siding should be repainted approximately every five years, whereas wood siding may need attention every three to seven years. In areas with less intense sunlight, the paint may last between four to 10 years on wood and up to 20 years on vinyl or aluminium siding.

How Often Should You Paint Interior Walls?

Now that we have learned about how often should a building be painted, we discuss How often should interior walls be painted. Repainting your home’s interior can be an excellent way to give your living spaces a fresh, vibrant look. But how often should you undertake this task? The answer depends on various factors, including the room and its daily use. Here’s a practical guide to help you determine when to repaint different areas of your home

How often should you paint your living room and dining Room? 

If you use durable, high-quality paint in rooms, you can expect it to last several years. Even if your living room sees more activity than your dining room, the combination of sturdy paint and room decor can protect it from wear. It is generally recommended to repaint your living and dining rooms every 5 to 7 years.

How often should you paint your kitchen & bathroom?

Kitchens and bathrooms face unique challenges like food splatters, fingerprints, and moisture. Professional painters use durable gloss paints on trim and satin paints on walls in these areas to ensure longevity. Typically, you’ll notice that your kitchen and bathroom require a fresh coat of paint every 3 to 4 years, sometimes longer.

How often should you paint your bedrooms?

Adult bedrooms, which see less frequent use, can maintain their paint for an extended period. You might find that a repaint is only necessary when you decide to change the colour! However, children’s bedrooms serve as both sleeping and play areas, which can lead to more wear. To address this, professional painters often use an eggshell or satin sheen, extending the paint’s lifespan even after multiple cleanings. Kids’ bedrooms usually benefit from repainting every 2 to 3 years.

How often should you paint your hallways?

Hallways and passages experience higher foot traffic than other areas of your home, resulting in more dents, scuff marks, and general wear and tear. To keep these spaces looking fresh, it’s a good practice to have professional painters touch them up every 2 to 3 years. Additionally, you might need some drywall repair before repainting over dings and scrapes. Paint with an eggshell sheen is an excellent choice for high-traffic hallways.

How Often Should You Paint Your Ceilings?

Don’t overlook your ceilings when considering interior painting. Repainting your ceiling can brighten up any room. Over time, white ceilings may develop yellow spots due to factors like sunlight and daily wear. Unfortunately, this yellowing can be gradual and often goes unnoticed until it’s more pronounced. It’s recommended to repaint your ceilings every other time you refresh your walls since ceiling paint lasts twice as long as wall paint. A professional painting company can provide bright and fresh-looking ceilings for up to 10 years. We’ve reached the end of the article on how often should a building be painted and hope we learned much about that. If you think it’s time for a building painting, contact 7CPM, your professional painter and enjoy the refresh you have made.