The construction material you are painting on can make a substantial difference in how long the paint job will last. Paint adheres extremely well to stucco, and it’s common to see the colours remain vibrant for a long time. Wood surfaces are more prone to wear from the elements; paint on wood tends to last about half as long as paint on stucco.
Colours can affect how long your exterior paint will endure. Darker colours absorb more sunlight; this in turn means they absorb more heat, and paint fades more quickly. The use of lighter colours in areas made of wood or exposed to direct sunlight can mitigate the sun’s harmful effects.
The elements can make a significant difference in the longevity of your paint job. Paint may wear down faster in areas exposed to lots of rain, where mildew can become problematic; areas in the desert will be battered by sand, which will cause the paint to fade. Areas exposed to the sun may degrade significantly more quickly than areas in the shade; as a general rule, areas with no sun exposure keep their vibrancy about twice as long as areas in direct sunlight.
Surfaces that are going to be painted should be stripped of all paint before the new job is applied; additionally, wood and other materials which need priming should be reprimed. There are times when a pressure washer can help, but it may not strip off the paint as thoroughly as other, more labour-intensive methods. Paint that has not been removed before a new coat is applied can delaminate, causing the paint job to peel.
Special caution should be made when stripping a house of paint, as lead-based paints were used for a long period of time. In Canada, your paint job is likely to be lead-based if it was applied before 1960, may contain lead if applied between 1960-1990, and is unlikely to contain lead if it was applied after 1990. lead-based paint is hazardous to your health, and should only be removed by professionals.
The quality of the paint you use makes an enormous difference in it’s lifespan. A high quality, 100% acrylic paint is a great way to ensure a lasting finish. In areas with extreme shifts in climate, like Winnipeg, it can be helpful to use elastomeric paints. These are 100% acrylic paints which are three to four times thicker than regular acrylic paint; this is because elastomeric paints are much more flexible, and will stretch with temperature changes without cracking. This paint is more expensive than traditional acrylic, but if the climate is bad will save you money in the long run.
Hiring the best exterior painting service you can, with licensed professionals who ask a lot of questions and give you concise estimates is the best way to get a beautiful exterior paint job. Expert contractors will do the prepwork for you, apply the appropriate paints to the appropriate surfaces, and alert you of potential problem areas before the problems happen.
In conclusion, how long your exterior paint lasts depends on a lot of factors. A badly-applied, low-quality paint, layered over a previous paint job on sun-blasted wood might last you less than a year, while a well-applied paint job on a properly prepped stucco surface using elastomeric paint can last twenty years or more. That’s why it’s important to consult a professional painting contractor to get the best, longest lasting results possible.