Your home’s exterior creates its first impression. Much like going to a job interview with torn, stained clothing and unkempt hair, leaving your exterior paint to chip and weather projects a message you probably don’t wish to send. Fortunately, updating it doesn’t cost a mint if you take the DIY approach.

Regular maintenance preserves the value of your investment for years to come. Knowing what to do ensures your labor lasts, so take an in-depth look at how to maintain and extend the life span of your exterior paint with the right techniques.

Factors Affecting the Longevity of Exterior Paint 

Several factors impact the longevity of your exterior paint. Understanding them allows you to take preemptive measures to ensure the job you do withstands the test of time. Your exterior paint’s life span relies upon the following factors:

• Past paint: What type of paint did previous owners use – acrylic, oil based or latex? What was the weather like when painters applied the coating and how many coats did they use?
• Paint type: A high-grade exterior paint resists fading, cracking and peeling.
• Application: Considerable prep work goes into an exterior paint job and skimping on any of the steps – washing, sanding and prepping the surface – impacts longevity. 
• Local weather and the elements: Direct sunlight, harsh storms and freezing winter weather all take a toll.
• Paint color: Lighter shades absorb less UV radiation and last longer.
• Type of wood or siding: Wood requires more painting than aluminum siding. Likewise, hardwoods are less prone to rot than softer varieties and require less frequent maintenance.¹

How Long Does an Exterior Paint Job Last? 

As seen above, multiple factors may impact the longevity of your exterior paint, but a quality job lasts seven to 10 years² on average. That’s not a bad return for a chore you can often accomplish in a single long weekend.

Furthermore, properly maintaining your exterior paint can extend its life span. Keeping it clean and reducing or eliminating factors that create damage is half of the battle. The other begins with a solid application.

Steps to a Long-Lasting Exterior Paint Job

Long-lasting exterior paint begins with application. Here’s what you need to know to do it right.

1. Monitor Weather Conditions 

Painting your home’s exterior is a late spring to early fall chore in much of the country. The most crucial characteristic is you have a span of several days with no rain or snow in the forecast.

Temperature-wise, the sweet spot lies between 40 °F and 90 °F.³ However, overnight drops can prevent your paint from curing, so avoid the urge to get overly ambitious when cabin fever sparks your DIY urge.³ Conditions should remain above freezing to maintain and extend the life span of your paint job.

2. Prep the Surrounding Environment 

It’s equally important to prep the surrounding environment. For example, leaves and sap from surrounding trees can stain wooden surfaces like decks, damaging your work⁴. Pruning any branches that threaten to mar the paint is the perfect chore for those earlier days of spring when daytime temperatures climb but nights remain chill.

Now’s a good time to check for other damage. For example, leaving grills or planters in the same position can create stains. Consider a protective barrier or caps that will keep your new paint fresh once applied.

3. Prep Your Paint Surface 

Prepping your paint surface is a crucial step. Begin with a thorough scrub, using a pressure washer and mild soap to blast away dirt and debris. Remain aware that these devices have various settings, and use the appropriate one for your surface – wood damages more readily than aluminum.

Then, use an electric sander or a sanding block to grind out any rough edges and remove old paint chips. If you have wooden siding, use wood putty or epoxy to fill in small dents and nail holes. More extensive damage may require replacing the siding, which could require a call to a carpenter.

4. Use Primer

One secret to extending the life span of your exterior paint is to choose the right primer. It’s crucial to select one designed for your siding material, be it wood or aluminum. Masonry facades require yet another type of primer, so do your homework and discuss your choices with the associate at your local store.

Apply caulk after you prime the paint surfaces – it’ll adhere better to this substance, resulting in a longer-lasting paint job. Caulk takes several hours to set, so get an early start.

5. Choose a Quality, Eco-Friendly Paint 

The quality of the paint you choose significantly affects its longevity and the environment. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contribute to air pollution and climate change, but numerous zero-emitting paints exist today. Just as you wouldn’t dream of buying lead-based paint if still available, you should avoid VOCs.

6. Apply the Appropriate Number of Coats 

Most exterior painting experts recommend two coats to extend and maintain the life span of your work. However, going from a darker to a lighter color may require more. Additionally, bright hues like red may require multiple coats, so keep that in mind if repainting your barndominium.

To get the best and smoothest coverage, work with a buddy. One painter sprays a crosshatch pattern on the wall, while the other follows with a roller for 100% coverage.⁵

7. Tackle Doors, Trim, and Sills 

Painting doors, trim and sills follows roughly the same steps as the rest of your exterior paint job, with the exception of removing hardware.⁶ Use painter’s tape to protect around windows and doors. It may also be easier to remove fixtures such as shutters and paint them before rehanging them.

8. Apply Sealant Where Necessary 

Most exterior paint requires no additional sealant, but there are exceptions to every rule. For example, a sealant preserves the natural wood look of exterior decks. Why settle for an incomplete job when giving your home a facelift? Hit these surfaces, too, to enhance your entire facade.

Important Notes on Safety 

If your home has two stories or more, you might consider hiring a professional with ladders, scaffolding and training to complete the job. Those who attempt to DIY must follow safety rules when using such devices. Ensure you take the following steps:

• Choose a ladder designed for your weight, selecting a Grade 1 or 1A ladder if you carry extra pounds.⁷
• Maintain three points of contact on the ladder at all times – both feet and one hand.
• Use an extender to reach tall areas.
• Use stabilizers to increase steadiness and allow you to move more freely.
• Ensure you have a spotter on the ground who can monitor ladder stability and call for help if something goes awry. Avoid painting alone.
• Wear a hard hat – including when on the ground – to prevent brain injury from objects falling from overhead.

Tips for Maintaining Your Exterior Paint to Extend Its Lifespan

Once you finish your paint job, maintaining it can extend its life span. Fortunately, it isn’t difficult to take care of minor details so that your stunning new facade lasts and lasts. Here’s what to do. 

1. Regular Cleaning

Bugs, sap and grime can damage your exterior paint over time. Gently cleaning it once or twice a year with a pressure washer and mild soap on the appropriate setting is all you need, although you may want to rinse surfaces down after severe storms that leave your facade splattered with goo. 

2. Keeping Up With Caulk

Caulking prevents moisture from getting in between the wood and paint, causing cracks and bubbling. Inspect the areas around doors and windows at least once per year, adding caulk where necessary. As a bonus, this step also prevents energy loss and lowers utility bills. 

3. Maintaining Exterior Landscaping 

Remember, sap from leaves and trees can damage your paint. Furthermore, branches can cause scratches that allow moisture to get in, spurring peeling. Keep trees and bushes trimmed back from your home’s exterior surface. Trimming your bushes lower than three feet also deters thieves, who seek cover when breaking in. 

4. Tiny Touch Ups 

When purchasing exterior paint, always buy more than you need to allow extra for touch-ups. Addressing damage confined to small areas prevents spread, so inspect your home’s exterior once or twice a year and take corrective action when necessary. 

How to Make Your Exterior Paint Stand Out

Where you live may determine how much leeway you have to get creative with your exterior paint. For example, some HOAs have an approved palette of colors you must choose from, forbidding anything else. Conformity can protect property values but leave you feeling a bit stifled at times. 

However, you may have some room for creativity. For example, a striking hue on your shutters, front and garage door can completely transform your home’s exterior. If you can’t have a fully pink Barbie facade, perhaps a bold fuchsia entryway or rosy window boxes planted with carnations will create the feminine vibe you crave.

Help Your Exterior Paint Last

Maintaining and extending the life span of exterior paint begins with a quality job. Fortunately, this task is one of the easiest to DIY if you have a one-story home, increasing your property value without spending much money or effort. 

Follow the above steps for an exterior paint job that stands the test of time. Inspect your facade once or twice per year and perform maintenance as described, and you’ll feel proud to pull into your driveway. 

For more information, visit Renovated.com.

References:

1. Will Outdoor Paint Protect Untreated Wood. What pros say – Indoor Outdoor Paint Expert. (n.d.). https://www.indooroutdoorpaintexpert.com/will-outdoor-paint-protect-untreated-wood-what-pros-say/

2. Cellucci, N. P. (2024, February 9). How often should you paint a house exterior? 6 signs you’re due to repaint. Angi. https://www.angi.com/articles/how-long-will-your-paint-job-last.htm

3. Houlton, L. (2023, November 2). The best time to paint your house exterior, according to experts. homesandgardens.com. https://www.homesandgardens.com/solved/best-time-to-paint-a-house-exterior 

4. Wolfhomeproducts. (2023, May 24). Maintaining your deck & railing | Wolf Home Products. Wolf Home Products. https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/blog/maintaining-your-deck-and-railing-how-to-keep-your-composite-deck-safe-and-stunning/ 

5. Interior and exterior paint tips from a pro – Rosie on the house. (2023, September 12). https://rosieonthehouse.com/blog/interior-and-exterior-paint-tips-from-a-pro/ 

6. Morrison, R. (2024, February 6). How to paint a front door for beginners. Renovated. https://renovated.com/how-to-paint-a-front-door/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-paint-a-front-door 

7. Schapiro, L. (2021, December 21). Safety first, painting second! Follow these tips to paint on a ladder. Angi. https://www.angi.com/articles/5-tips-safely-use-ladder-while-painting.htm