No matter how good your home may look right now, it will need some type of renovation years down the line. Home renovations can be inconvenient and time-consuming but for homeowners who wish to ensure the structural and aesthetic integrity of their homes, scheduled fixes and upgrades can be an excellent investment that will pay off later. One of the easiest and most affordable trick to renovate your home is also one of the simplest – repainting. Giving your exterior and interior walls a fresh coat of paint can result in a surprising transformation. It will be almost like you are moving in to a new home! Paints, particularly today’s formulations, last for up to 10 years but there are factors that can affect their sheen and longevity.

Sometimes, you might be tempted to paint your home based on your instincts and gut feel. However, you should be careful about timing and circumstance. Certain crucial indicators may be present that will tell you when and if it is the perfect time to repaint your home. But how do you know exactly?

It’s Time to Repaint When…

The Present Coat of Paint is Fading
When the paint is fading, then it is a clear indication that you should repaint. Exterior paint, while resilient, will eventually fade, thanks to the sun’s UV rays which have a bleaching effect. Try to check the part of your house that receives the most sunlight and you will see that the area is more faded compared to other parts of the exterior.

However, if you notice premature fading on the shady side of your home, this may be beca use of issues with vapor barrier and/or water intrusion. There is also a number of issues that may be causing the paint to fade prematurely. If you cannot find the problem, get in touch with professional painters for advise.

The Color is Changing
UV rays do more than just fade the colour of your homes paint. The intensity of the light and heat can also change the pigmentation of the paint. This results in changes in its color, some of which may be undesirable. For example, the lovely beige walls you had could turn to a bland pink color later. When this happens, you will have to have your walls repainted using UV-resistant paint.

Paint is Bubbling, Cracking, or Flaking
Changes in the texture of the painted walls are likely caused by dry rot, wet rot, or mold. These issues are likely caused by a failed or poor waterproofing procedure. Homes close to the ocean often suffer from texture issues due to blowing sand, ocean breezes, and strong sunlight. High humidity and harsh weather can also damage the paint.

When is the Best Time to Repaint Your Exterior?

There are factors that help determine when you should consider getting the exterior of your home repainted. These include the climate, current weather, home maintenance, location, and past paint job(s). The type of building materials you have will also dictate when you should begin repainting. If you have new brick sidings, for example, you should begin repainting about 15 to 20 years later. Stucco, on the other hand, should be repainted after 5 to 6 years.

Past Paint Job
If you can, try to find out when and how your home was painted. Determine the number of coats it received and the type of paint used. In general, if the previous paint job was well-prepped and applied, you can expect the paint to last longer. If your current home has rotten wood, mold, or stucco holes, treat these using appropriate solutions before applying paint.

Your Location
Where you live will dictate the type of paint job you need to do and how often you will have to repaint your home. If you have a beach house, for example, expect to repaint your home every 3 to 5 years due to constant exposure to sand, wind, salty air, and sun. Extreme weather will also determine the frequency and type of paint job you need to do. High humidity levels, for example, will age paint faster.

Maintenance
Regular maintenance of the exterior of your home will help prevent serious issues and damages later. Look for signs of wear and tear, peeling, fading, mold, dampness, rot, chalkiness, and insect or rodent infestation. Once you identify any of these issues, have them fixed immediately to prevent serious damage.

Other Considerations
Of course, you want your home’s interior to reflect your personality, personal style, and mood. However, consider other factors as well, including style and decor trends and family milestones.

Family Milestones

When you paint a child’s room, you usually take into consideration his/her age. A 12-year-old, for example, may no longer appreciate the rainbows and unicorns she used to have on her walls when she was six. Children will outgrow their favorite colors over time, so keep this in mind.

Trends

What was considered fashionable five years ago may no longer be as cool today. If your color scheme is outdated, by all means check out a few color palettes to find out which paint combination is going to give your home a more refreshing and lovely look.

Room Type
High-traffic spaces such as corridors, hallways, and kitchens tend to suffer faster from wear and tear. This means that these areas will have to be repainted far more frequently. Rooms that see more activities will also have to be repainted within a few years, depending on their current condition. Keep in mind, however, that repainting a room a different color may also mean reconsidering the decor.

Conclusion
A fresh coat of paint does wonders for the look and feel of your home. You could always do the repainting job yourself as a weekend DIY project but when you are unsure and less than confident, consider hiring professional painters to do the job. Some painting jobs are too delicate or too complicated and the only way to ensure that you do the job right is to let the professionals take charge.