Surface preparation, power washing, and getting the right contractor on the job are all things that should be taken into consideration when you are planning to paint your home. Your exterior paint is an investment. We are not speaking solely on a financial level here either. New paint helps with the aesthetics of your home, but most importantly it protects your home. It protects the building from moisture, bug invasion, and prolongs the life of the siding. These are all very important jobs which is why finding the right paint and contractor is important.
While we might have gotten off topic a bit, we thought it was important for you to realize the importance of your paint choices. How long does exterior house paint last? Well, that depends on a few factors such as the environment the paint is enduring. Also, the products used are important as well as the age of the home. A general rule of thumb though is that your paint job should last at least 5 years before you are looking at painting again. Some paints last longer.
While you are thinking about getting your house painted you should keep in mind that there are many types of paints out there. You should educate yourself and ask a contractor what they recommend for your dwelling. Not all paint is made for the very surface that your siding is made of. In fact, there was a time when we couldn't paint vinyl siding for example. However, the painting industry has come a long way and now it is very possible and less costly than putting on all new siding.
Be sure that you choose a very good quality or premium paint. Now, this will be more costly but this paint is made to last and endure the elements.
What type of siding you have will determine the type of paint you will need. Some of these paints are more expensive than others. Paint for a wood sided house would be around $65 per gallon.
Invest in a good painting company.
Not all painting companies are the same. Take your time to look around for reviews and recommendations online. Ask around on social media about who people might recommend. It is important that you find a licensed and insured painting contractor that will show up and complete the job as requested. Be careful out there, there are a lot of companies that don't care about their reputation. They will paint your home and have it looking great but in 2 years you find it starting to peel and prematurely aged. This is because they didn't put forth the effort to surface prep as they should have.
The exterior of your home should be pressure washed, re-caulked, sanded, and sealed before new paint goes on. This are important steps that aren't always done by painting contractors. They should take the time to scrape and sand on the surfaces that need it. If board replacement is necessary, they should address that as well. Surface prep is the most important step in the painting process and needs the most attention to detail. Without it your painting job won't last long and you'll have to do it all over again.