With the end of Wisconsin winter weather, the guesswork is over concerning the question, “does my home need to be painted again?” The paint on your home’s exterior weathers over time, significantly reducing its curb appeal and potentially damaging the exterior of your house. As your home’s exterior is the first line of defense against the elements, it is important that it is well maintained. In the instance of sun exposure, heat damage, cold weather, snow, wind and rain your home’s paint color is likely not to appear as bright or bold as it once was.
Taking care of your home is an important step you can take to maintain its value. This is especially important when trying to appeal to potential buyers or when welcoming guests. You may not know when the last time your home was painted, or how often you need to paint your home’s exterior. In both cases, it’s important to know the signs that will help you determine if your home is ready for a fresh coat of paint. So, how do you know when it’s time to paint your house? When your home is giving you the following signals, you’ll know it’s time for a fresh coat of paint.
1. Fading Paint Color
With your home exposed to the elements, fading exterior paint is a sign that your house is ready to be repainted. Darker paint colors often fade quicker than lighter shades. It is important to take this into account when choosing the colors to repaint your home’s exterior. Fading is not just an aesthetic concern as it often indicates that your paint job is no longer providing the protection your home’s exterior needs. Not only will you give your home a refreshed appearance with repainting, but it will serve your home’s exterior by protecting it from the elements.
2. Paint Shows Signs of Wear
One of the more noticeable and first signs that indicate your home’s exterior is ready to be repainted is when the paint is peeling, cracking, flaking or chipping. These signs are present when the elements have run their course on your exterior paint, which at this point is not protecting your home the way it should. When you notice the paint is flaking and peeling up and off the underlying materials of your home, those materials are no longer protected. This in turn often leads to mold, mildew or dry rot which can result in costly repairs. It is important to protect your home with proper surface preparation, priming, and a finish coat of paint to avoid these concerns.
3. Cracks in Caulk
Caulking the exterior of your home is very important because it protects the exterior surfaces from water and insect damage. Cracking caulk occurs over time as the caulk loses its elasticity, which means it’s no longer protecting your home. The most common area that people use caulk is in the openings and cracks between joints along with windows, doors, and siding. Caulking aids in the preparation of the surface before painting, which is why at Empire Painting we strive to use the best materials and products available to ensure your project starts and ends with high quality results. Request a quote and know you can trust Empire Painting to assist you when selecting the right caulk for your home.
4. Gaps or Shrinking Siding
If you start to notice gaps or shrinking between the boards of your home’s exterior siding – whether it be clapboard, lap siding, shakes, or shingles – this typically indicates that moisture is getting into the wood. As a result, the gaps caused by moisture can lead to mold, mildew, or dry rot. Maintaining your home’s exterior by repairing and/or replacing rotting siding boards paired with proper paint maintenance will ensure your home is protected from the elements. Trust Empire Painting’s carpentry experts to make sure your home’s wood siding is in top condition.
5. Time to Make a Change
Whether you’re growing tired of the beige siding color you chose years ago, or your neighbor’s new house paint job is making you green with envy, it’s time to accept that a change in appearance is a good thing for your home. Not only will a fresh paint job protect your home for years to come, but it will boost your curb appeal; whether you want to appeal to potential buyers, or simply impress guests. While we have discussed the importance of recognizing the signs your home needs a fresh coat of paint, you do not have to wait until you see all of the signs to give your home’s exterior a facelift. Be proactive, rather reactive, and give your home’s exterior a fresh coat of paint before these telltale signs of major wear appear!
6. Are You Selling Your Home?
When putting house on the market, first impressions are everything and only happen once. That is why (as we’ve hinted) curb appeal is SO important! Potential buyers often make split-second decisions about your house from the moment they pull into your driveway. If your house has peeling and chipping paint; a dull or fading paint color; or rotted wood siding boards present this will surely deter them from buying your home! New paint can make your home look modern, clean and inviting which is guaranteed to provide a better reception than a drab, poorly painted home. If you are getting ready to sell your home, contact Empire Painting to provide fast and quality painting services as your trusted local house painters.
7. Enough Time Has Passed
Our painting experts at Empire Painting strive to provide reliable information to our clients and community of the greater Milwaukee area. It’s recommended that exteriors be painted every 5 to 10 years, depending on how well your home was painted the last time, the quality of the paint used, the quality of the prep work that was done, and the surface of your exterior. See our expert recommendations below as a helpful guide to answer the question, “do I need to repaint my home?”
- Aluminum siding is fairly durable and can last a long time on your home. Our experts recommend having aluminum siding repainted every 5 years to properly maintain it.
- Wood surfaces are more susceptible to damage including wood rot, so it is recommended that wood surfaces be painted every 3 to 7 years.
- Brick surfaces that have been limewashed are typically more low maintenance than your traditional paint job. Unlike artificial paints, limewash will not need to be removed and only retouched every 5 to 7 years.
- Stucco is a popular choice due to its durability, however, it still requires maintenance. Our experts recommend you have your stucco repainted every 5 to 10 years depending on its current condition.
- Fiber cement siding is quickly becoming one of the most popular siding choices due to it being environmentally sustainable and a good long term investment for your home. It is recommended to refinish fiber cement siding every 15 years to maintain.
- Engineered wood siding is also a popular choice due to its energy efficiency and relatively inexpensive cost. It is also resistant to water, warping, fungus, pests, and mildew, and does not chip or fade easily much like traditional wood surfaces. It is recommended to repaint engineered wood siding every 5 to 10 years.
Request Your Free Empire Painting Estimate
Every residential painting job begins with a free, detailed on-site estimate. Empire’s owner Dan Brooks personally reviews all quotes for pricing transparency, clarity, and consistency. Empire Painting is headquartered in Delafield, Wisconsin offering exterior painting and carpentry services throughout Lake Country, Waukesha County, and the greater Milwaukee area. Connect with our team today today!
