Are you staring at your walls, wondering if they’re trying to whisper something to you? Maybe it’s not a whisper but a loud cry for a fresh coat of paint. Embarking on a painting project can seem like a daunting task, but it’s an essential part of maintaining and uplifting the aura and value of your home. Let’s take a step-by-step journey to understand when it’s time to give your house the pampering it deserves.
How to tell when your house needs painting
1. Peeling or Cracking Paint.
One of the first signs that will indicate you need to repaint your home’s exterior is the peeling, cracking, flaking or chipping of the paint. Because the paint is flaking and peeling up and off the underlying materials, those materials are no longer being protected. This could lead to mould, mildew or dry rot.
2. Cracks in Caulk.
If you notice the caulk is starting to wear, it means your paint also needs a refresh. Repainting an old house could also mean it will need to be re-caulked. Choosing the right kind of caulk is important to ensure it will withstand extreme heat and cold
3. Fading Paint.
Paint tends to fade over the years as the sun beats down against it. If your home is provided shade by trees or mountains or is positioned in a way that light doesn’t hit it all day long, the colour lasts a little longer. But if there’s nothing to shade your home’s exterior from the sun, it’s likely fading will occur quickly, and you’ll need to apply a fresh coat of paint.
4. Gaps or Shrinking Wood.
Those gaps in your wooden boards can lead to mould, mildew or dry rot.
5. You’re Selling Your House.
You want to show your house in its best light when you’re selling. A fresh exterior coat of paint can make a home look ten years newer than it actually is. It has a great impact on the house’s overall look and feel, making it much more appealing and, best of all, more expensive.
6. Colour Choice.
Exterior paint trends come and go. In order to keep your house looking its best, you may want to pick a new colour to increase curb appeal and make your home look more inviting.
Outside house painting colour combinations
1. Cream and Brown
- This is the most ideal and subtle colour combination for house exterior painting. Dark brown mingles perfectly with the cream colour exterior paint set-up. As a down-to-earth colour, brown signifies stability and support and goes well with cream. The best exterior paint combinations for outside walls of the house, this warm neutral duo feels comforting and grounding.
2. White and Blue
- Shades of blue perfectly blend with white, thus being the best colour mix for a home outside. Indigo is a cool colour that is also the most soothing one and is known to reduce stress and inspire a sense of serenity. White and shades of blue are excellent colour combinations for house exteriors, especially for bungalow colour or cottage-style houses.
3. Yellow with Brown
- This is the most ideal and subtle colour combination for house exterior painting. Dark brown can be used for the house roof, window frames, door, and front porch area, blending perfectly with the soothing yellow colour of the exterior paint set-up. Even a subtle touch of yellow as an accent colour can perk up the home from the outside. Such outside house painting colour combinations are better suited for the cottage style that looks picture-perfect with a small garden outside.
4. Gray, White and Orange
- Neutral colours gray and white with a dash of orange are a beautiful colour pairing for a home outside. The colour combinations look subtle yet impactful and contribute to the freshness of the house. With the white colour combination for house exterior painting, the accent orange colour can be added to a small portion of the exterior. Orange radiates warmth and happiness and is best paired with the dull gray shade. This trio is a harmonious outdoor colour combination for house exterior walls.
5. Olive Green and White
- Muted tones like olive green work well as paint colours for home and outside décor when combined with neutrals like white. Incorporate intricate architectural details to get a majestic design that will create a great impression of your house. It is an excellent building colour combination if you are looking for an earthy appeal.
What happens if you don’t paint your house
- It will damage the structural integrity. If your wood surfaces go unprotected, they can absorb water from rain and dew and begin to soften, swell and decay, thus leading to the replacement of boards or even entire decks or siding. Painting maintenance & upkeep may make a difference in the life of your painted surfaces.
How often should you paint your house exterior in Canada
Most experts say that you’ll need to paint every five to ten years, depending on factors such as where you live, climate and weather, and the previous paint job. In Toronto, there are four seasons, which means more house maintenance in general. Waiting until there’s a problem will not only be much more expensive overall, but a lack of prevention can lead to damage that goes beyond the paint. Get to know some signs when your house needs painting.
Your home is like a car. It needs proper and scheduled maintenance. Especially, you wouldn’t wait for your engine to stop working before you perform an oil change, would you? Your old paint has a performance lifespan and knowing the signs when your house needs painting will save you a lot of money and stress down the road.
How often should you repaint your house exterior and How long should the exterior paint job last?
Exteriors should be painted every 5 to 10 years, depending on the quality of paint and craftsmanship it was painted with last time. Here are some guidelines based on exterior surfaces: Wood surfaces need to be painted every 3 to 7 years. Aluminum siding needs to be painted about every 5 years
4 Different Seasons
Winter – December 21 to March 19
Spring – March 20 to June 20
Summer – June 21 to September 21
Fall (or Autumn) – September 22 to December 20
Signs Show Your House Needs Painting: Exterior
- Professionally applied exterior paint lasts an average of 4-10 years, depending on the condition it was in previously.
- Peeling and cracking are very late signs that your old paint job has expired and it’s time to paint. It not only looks bad but can also allow moisture to creep into the wood framing and foundation of your home.
- The trim around windows and doors traps water/snow and requires a fresh coat of paint more often to keep them sealed from the elements. More importantly, inspect them yearly to find out if it is time to paint them or not. A fresh coat of paint is cheaper than replacing worn-out trim.
- Moreover, Exterior wood siding needs to be repainted much more often, with 3-7 years lifespan of 3–7 years. In fact, an old paint job will let moisture through, and as a result, we all know that wood and moisture lead to rot and mould.
- Don’t forget that the best time to paint the exterior of your house is during spring and summer.
Signs Show Your House Needs Painting: Interior
- If your old paint contained high levels of VOCs, your air quality could be suffering. Replacing it with low to zero VOC paint can improve the indoor air quality for you and your family.
- The typical interior paint job, done professionally, of course, is good for 7-10 years.
- Fading old paint is inevitable and more prominent in rooms with lots of sunlight and where low-quality paints are used. If it looks dull, it probably needs a fresh coat of paint.
- In addition, maybe you don’t know, but winter is one of the best times to paint the interior of your house in Toronto.
How often should you repaint your house interior?
For the best results, your interior walls should be repainted every 3-5 years. If you remodel your home or change the style of a room, you may need to repaint it sooner. Depending on your lifestyle, family, and activities, you may have to paint more often to keep walls from looking dingy.
Maybe you don’t know, but the the winter season is one of the best times to paint the interior of your house in Toronto.
In addition, don’t forget that, above all, a fresh coat of paint will also add curb appeal, increase the value of your home by up to 200%, and, as a result, keep it looking new for years to come.
Benefits of Timely Painting
Aside from keeping your home looking its best, timely painting offers several underrated benefits:
- Protects Your Home: A fresh coat of paint is like a shield for your home, protecting it from the elements, pests, and decay.
- Increases Property Value: A well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing home commands a higher market value. Painting is a relatively affordable investment that pays off in both curb appeal and dollars.
- Improves Air Quality: For interiors, using low-VOC or no-VOC paints can reduce odours and fumes, improving your home’s air quality.
- Boosts Mood and Creativity: Paint colours significantly affect our mood and creativity. A fresh coat in a new shade can invigorate your living spaces and, by extension, your life.
Planning Your Painting Project
Embarking on a painting project can be invigorating, but proper planning is crucial. Assess the scope of the project—is it DIY manageable, or is it time to call in professional painters? Research colour trends and paint types. Consider the weather and season, especially for an exterior paint job.
Closing Thoughts
Recognizing when your house needs painting is the first step in a transformative journey. It not only rejuvenates your space but also protects and enhances the value of your most precious asset. Listen to those whispers (or loud cries) from your home and answer back with action. Remember, a splash of paint is more than just colour; it’s life, protection, and joy all rolled into one.
For those of you navigating this painting adventure for the first time, remember, you’re not alone. Let’s roll up our sleeves and bring new life to your home, one brush stroke at a time. It’s an empowering step towards not just home maintenance, but towards creating a haven that reflects your spirit and zest for life.
To conclude, if you think your home needs to be painted, give Home Painters Toronto a call. Our professional in-home or online consultations and quotes are always FREE. We’re here to help you understand exactly what your home needs when it is time to paint your house.
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