How Long Should My Exterior Paint Last?

Ever wonder how some homes seem to always look freshly painted while others need a new paint job every few years? How long your exterior paint job will last depends on a number of factors, some of which are in your control and others that depend on Mother Nature. Pa
int quality and brand, surface preparation, siding type and age, and weather all play a role in how long your paint will protect your home.

Type of Paint

Most paint companies carry a Good, Better, Best scenario. We recommend that you choose the best paint based on your budget and how long you plan to stay in your home.

Surface Preparation

What lies under the paint itself is usually the biggest indicator of how long a paint job will last. Be sure the siding itself is ready to be painted.

Mother Nature

Generally speaking, in the Portland area, the south and west sides of homes tend to show paint fading and failure before the other sides. Sometimes a house only needs to have one or 2 sides repainted because of this! Good overhangs and protection from the weather will extend the life of your paint.

Long Story Short

The moral of the story is there are many factors that can shorten the life of your house’s exterior paint job. We see homes in the Portland area needing to be repainted every 5-14 years with 7-10 years being the general average.

What Can I Do?

– Inspect your home every spring and summer. Check for:

• loose caulking in between siding and trim pieces including windows
• cracking paint or dry rot along the ends and edges of windowsills and trim boards
• discoloration of the body paint

– Pressure wash your home every 3 years. Molds and mildew can hurt your paint.

– Call ESP Painting for a free consultation!