How often does exterior painting need doing?

The rule of thumb and why it varies

Five to seven years is a widely used rule of thumb for woodwork painted with opaque paint. Transparent stain usually lasts less long. But your own house can differ considerably from that. A window frame facing south-west takes the most sun and driving rain. UV radiation breaks the paint down, heat makes the timber move and rain finds every opening. North-facing woodwork stays cooler but dries more slowly, giving algae and green growth more chance.

• Orientation: south and west need a paint job sooner than north and east.
• Surroundings: wind, sea air and open water speed up wear.
• Colour: dark colours get hotter in the sun and make the timber move more.
• Quality of the last job: good preparation and premium paint last longer.

What this means in your area

Conditions vary considerably across the area Oranje Kwast covers. Towards Haarlem and the coast, wind and sea air have free rein, so woodwork weathers faster. In the Zaanstreek and Amsterdam-Noord, many homes are close to the water. In a narrow Amsterdam street the woodwork is sheltered, but gets less sun to dry out. Take a look, for example, at exterior painting in Haarlem or exterior painting in Zaandam for the points to watch per town.

Signs that it is time

Do not wait until your paint looks bad from a distance. Gloss turning dull is a first sign that the protective layer is getting thinner. Chalking paint, where your finger turns white when you rub it, cracks at the joints and loose sealant are signs that a paint job is coming. If you are in time, sanding and two coats of gloss are often enough. Wait too long, and wood rot has to be repaired first, making the job bigger and more expensive.

Also look at the parts you do not see every day, such as the fascia boards under the roof edge and the frames at the back. They are often forgotten, even though they take just as much weather.

Keeping a fixed rhythm

The smartest approach is a fixed moment each year, for example in spring, to go over your window frames and doors. Have small damage touched up straight away. That stretches the time between the major paint jobs. An example of such a rhythm can be found on the maintenance schedule for paintwork. If you want to know how your house is doing now, our painter will take a look during a free consultation. Everything about the way of working is on exterior painting.