Everyone in North Carolina Wants To Keep Their Home Exterior Looking Amazing
We think it’s great that you want to keep up the look of your home’s exterior! One of the main reasons we paint houses is to keep our neighborhoods in North Carolina looking beautiful.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- How often to repaint brick, cement fiberboard, aluminum, stucco, and wood-sided homes
- How to tell when it’s time for a fresh coat
- What factors affect your exterior painting lifespan
How Long’s It Been?
“Since we had our house exterior painted? I don’t know, why?” asks Ashley.
Dan sighs. “It’d be nice to know. I was wondering because we’re going to have to repaint it at some point. We should probably look up how often to paint a house exterior and what it costs.”
Ashley nods. “That’s a good idea, Dan. We can get ahead of it, save up, and book early this time. Wow, that might make it much easier than last time. Here, let’s look it up!”
Here’s what the couple finds during their search:
Signs a House Exterior Needs Fresh Paint
1. Wear and Tear
- Look for cracking, peeling, or bubbling paint.
- These often appear due to improper prep work, dry rot, mold, or just age and weather.
- Fix these issues quickly letting them sit can cause more expensive damage down the road.
2. Fading Color
- Sun and weather exposure cause colors to fade over time.
- Darker colors fade faster, while lighter shades tend to last longer.
- Fading makes your home look older and less vibrant.
3. Cracking Caulk
- Over time, caulk becomes brittle and loses elasticity, leading to cracks.
- This not only looks bad but also lets water in, causing potential moisture damage.
- Repainting and re-caulking can prevent more serious issues.
4. Gaps or Shrinkage
- Siding boards may shrink or pull apart, leaving visible gaps.
- This can signal dry rot or trapped moisture.
- Have a professional assess the damage before repainting.
How Often To Paint a House Exterior
Most homeowners repaint when their home starts to look dull or worn. The frequency depends on your siding material, paint quality, and local climate, but here’s a general guide:
| Siding Type | Average Repaint Frequency |
| Brick | Every 15–20 years (painted brick); unpainted only needs cleaning |
| Cement Fiberboard | Every 10–15 years |
| Aluminum | About every 5 years |
| Stucco | Every 5–6 years |
| Wood | Every 3–7 years (4 years if stained) |
On average, most homes need exterior painting every 5 years.
What Changes Your Paint’s Lifespan
1. Paint Quality
- High-quality paints last longer, look better, and resist fading and cracking.
- Low-quality paints may save you money upfront but require repainting sooner.
2. Location
- Homes near the beach face salty air and stronger sunlight, which wear down paint faster.
- Inland homes generally retain paint longer due to milder conditions.
3. Climate
- Wet, humid climates can cause mold and rot.
- Dry or cold climates can make paint brittle and cause cracking.
- The local balance of these factors determines durability.
4. Weather Conditions
- Areas with frequent storms or heavy rainfall will see faster paint deterioration.
- Homes in sunny, mild areas typically go longer between paint jobs.
You May Also Like To Know
“Now we know how often to paint our house exterior and what affects the lifespan,” says Dan.
Ashley smiles. “Maybe we should read a bit more while we’re here.”
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