So you've decided to get your house painted. It's a big deal and a significant investment, so doing your research is critical. After all the work and time you spent exploring different colors and comparing companies, you might wonder how long an exterior paint job should last?
At Brush & Roll Painting, we've been painting homes with a detailed prep work process and high-quality products since 1996. Over the years, we have found what it takes to make a exterior painting project last as long as possible.
In this article, we will go over how long an exterior paint job will last in Omaha, NE. By reading this article, you can know what to expect for how long your current or new paint will last on your home.
The Lifespan of Exterior Paint
There's not just one answer because there's a lot that comes into play. We say a good lifespan for exterior paint is typically 10 to 15 years. But, some paint jobs may only last 4 to 7 years. The durability of exterior paint depends on quite a bit, climate, maintenance, prep, the home's surface, and more!
Quality of Exterior Paint
Choosing the right quality of exterior paint is crucial for ensuring the longevity of your paint job. High-quality paints are formulated with advanced technology that provides superior adhesion, UV resistance, and weather protection, which are essential for protecting your home from the elements.
These paints typically consist of higher-grade pigments and resins, which not only enhance color retention and vibrancy but also offer a barrier against moisture and temperature fluctuations.
As a result, investing in high-quality exterior paint can significantly extend the lifespan of your paint project, reducing the need for frequent touch-ups or repaints and ultimately saving you both time and money in the long run.
Opting for low-quality paint might seem like an easy way to cut costs initially, but it often leads to more expenses and headaches down the line. Inferior paints generally lack the advanced formulations that provide durability and protection against the elements.
This means that your home's exterior is more vulnerable to peeling, fading, and even structural damage caused by moisture infiltration. Additionally, low-quality paints typically have poorer pigmentation, which results in dull colors that quickly lose their vibrancy.
As these paints wear down faster, you'll find yourself needing to repaint much sooner than expected, negating any initial savings and potentially increasing maintenance costs. Investing in high-quality paint from the start ensures a more resilient and aesthetically pleasing finish, sparing you from frequent touch-ups and preserving your home's curb appeal.
Omaha Weather Conditions
Omaha's weather conditions play a significant role in determining the longevity and appearance of your home's exterior paint. Nebraska experiences a wide range of weather, from intense sun exposure in the summer to harsh hailstorms and heavy rains throughout the year.
The sun's strong UV rays can cause paint to fade, leading to a dull and worn-out appearance over time. Meanwhile, hail can chip and crack the paint, exposing the underlying materials to moisture and potential damage. Frequent rainstorms contribute to moisture buildup, which can lead to peeling or blistering if the paint isn't adequately resistant.
Additionally, the change in temperatures between seasons can cause the paint to expand and contract, further stressing its adhesion. So selecting a high-quality, weather-resistant paint is essential for withstanding Omaha's diverse climate and ensuring your home's exterior remains vibrant and protected.
Prep Work for Exterior Painting
Proper prep work is absolutely critical when it comes to exterior painting, as it significantly influences how long the paint holds up against the elements. Thorough preparation ensures that the paint adheres properly to the surface, reducing the risk of peeling, bubbling, or cracking over time. This preparation involves cleaning the surfaces meticulously to remove dirt, mold, and old paint, repairing any damages or imperfections, caulking, and applying a suitable primer to enhance paint adhesion.
Because of the importance of prep work, exercising due diligence and choosing a high-quality painting company becomes vital in ensuring your home receives a top-notch paint job that will stand the test of time. Professional painters have the experience and expertise to perform prep work that addresses all aspects needed for a durable outcome.
Attempting a DIY paint job for your home's exterior often isn't in the best interest of your home or your wallet if you're looking for a long lasting job. Most homeowners lack the necessary skills and knowledge to execute the detailed prep work required, which can lead to premature fading, bubbling, and cracking of the paint.
Often, people skip essential steps or do not prepare correctly at all, resulting in a finish that looks worn and needs repairs or repainting much sooner than anticipated. Investing in professional services ensures that every step of the process is handled expertly, providing peace of mind and a beautiful, lasting finish.
Maintenance of Your Home's Exterior
Regular maintenance of your home's exterior paint is crucial to extending its lifespan and preserving its aesthetic appeal.
Power washing is one of the most effective methods to maintain your exterior paint, as it removes accumulated dirt, mold, and mildew that can compromise the paint's integrity. By regularly cleaning the surface, you prevent these elements from causing paint to crack or peel prematurely.
Additionally, addressing minor chips, peeling paint, and scratches with timely touch-ups can prevent them from developing into larger problems that may necessitate a complete repaint. These small, proactive steps ensure that your paint job remains vibrant and resilient against the elements, ultimately saving you from more intensive and costly repairs down the line.
Surface of Your Home's Exterior
The longevity of an exterior paint job is also significantly influenced by the type of surface on your home. Different materials have varying levels of durability and interact uniquely with paint, affecting how long the finish will last.
For example, a brick exterior can maintain its painted appearance for anywhere from eight to a 17 years, thanks to its dense and sturdy nature that holds paint well and resists weathering.
On the other hand, stucco, with its porous texture, generally offers a lifespan of about five to 12 years. This is due to its susceptibility to moisture absorption, which can lead to faster degradation of the paint.
Wood siding, while providing a classic and warm aesthetic, tends to have a shorter lifespan for paint, ranging between three and seven years. This is because wood can expand and contract with changing temperatures and humidity, which can cause the paint to crack and peel more quickly.
Understanding these differences is crucial when planning for an exterior paint job, allowing you to make informed decisions about maintenance schedules and the choice of materials for your home.
Exterior Painting Your Home in Omaha
The longevity of an exterior paint job is influenced by several factors. By investing in high-quality paint and professional services you can ensure a durable and visually appealing finish that withstands Nebraska's crazy weather conditions.
Proper prep work and regular maintenance are essential to maximize the lifespan of your paint job, ultimately saving time and money by reducing the need for frequent repaints. Understanding these elements allows you to make informed decisions that enhance your home's curb appeal and protect your investment.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we know that painting your home is a serious investment. We also believe that any paint job is only as good as the prep work, quality of the product used, and the skill level of the painter. If you want a quality paint job that will stand the test of time, click the button below to schedule an estimate with us online.
Navigating the process of hiring a painter for your home can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. To help you make the best decision, we've created a guide to hiring a painter. Whether you're concerned about selecting the right professional, understanding estimates, or ensuring your project is completed to the highest standard, this guide covers it all. Click the button below to instantly get your free guide.
Bill is the owner and operator of Brush & Roll Painting. Bill Carlson is a second-generation painter. He grew up working with his father’s painting and restoration company. After graduating from Bennington High School, he served in the US Navy, traveling with the boxing team. While this was a great opportunity to see the world, it also made him realize how much he loved his little world here in Nebraska. He settled back into the painting industry, working with his brother. It wasn’t long before Bill’s entrepreneurial spirit pushed him to start his own business. Always one for a challenge, he longed to prove to himself that he could be as successful on his own as both his dad and brother were.
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