How long will an exterior paint job last in the San Francisco Bay area?
Whenever you make a big purchase, whether it is a car, a computer, or a couch, one of the most important questions is how long the product will last. This is also very true in the world of paint: before you invest in a new paint job for your home exterior, you need to know how long you can expect it to last.
The average life-expectancy of a professionally done paint job is 7 to 10 years. This can vary, however, based on many factors. Weather, sun exposure, and building materials can all affect the longevity of a paint job, and even the quality of previous home painting can have an impact.
Of the various factors that affect paint longevity, weather and sun exposure are the most significant. Extreme temperature fluctuations and regular freezing and thawing are the fastest destroyers of exterior paint. Fortunately for us here in the Bay area, this is not as much of a concern as it is in other areas of the country. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is another serious concern, however, and it can also reduce the life-expectancy of your paint. UV rays can cause a paint film to break down, causing chalking, fading, and premature failure.
Different materials hold paint better than others. Here in the San Francisco Bay area, most homes are sided with either wood or stucco. Painted stucco tends to have a longer-lasting finish because it expands and contracts less than wood when the weather changes.
Another factor that can have a significant impact on paint longevity is the quality of prior paint jobs. If a previous painting contractor or homeowner neglected proper surface preparation, the paint will fail much sooner. If a home is not sufficiently scraped, sanded, filled, caulked, and primed, it will not only cause premature failure of the current paint job—it will also reduce the durability of future painting projects. Even a high-quality paint job will begin to peel and crack if the paint underneath it was poorly applied.
Finally, the type of paint and number of coats can impact the life-span of a renovation. Oil-based paints have a harder finish than latex or acrylic products, but they are also more brittle. This feature of oil-based paints at first causes hairline cracks, which later expand and lead to flaking and peeling. Also, at the time of application one coat of paint might appear to be enough, but two coats will retain their color and remain intact much longer.
When hiring a painting contractor to refresh or update your home exterior, it is important to find someone who uses high-quality paints and is meticulous in proper surface preparation. In this way you will ensure that your investment looks great and protects your home for as long as possible. MB Jessee is a fantastic San Francisco Bay area painting contractor; we use only the best materials, we pay close attention to using proper techniques at every stage of a job, and we offer a warranty on our work that is far above the industry standard.
