You might not think about it this way too often, but your business’s exterior paint is one of the first things your customers see.
Because of this, your building’s exterior paint either makes or breaks your first impression to your customers, business partners, and more. If you’ve found yourself wondering, “how long does exterior paint last,” then you’ll want to continue reading below.
To maintain your building’s appearance, you’ll need to know the answer to that question. If you know when to expect your building to need a new paint job, then you can prepare for one before it begins to bring down your business’s visual appeal. To ensure your business stays top of the notch at all times, understand how long exterior paint last for and the signs that it’s time for a new paint job.
Are you ready to keep your business looking professional? Keep reading to learn more!
Exterior Paint’s Lifespan
A good exterior paint job could last you a decade. But a poor paint job might leave you needing to repaint every few years. To avoid extra costs and stress down the road, be sure to have it done right the first time.
The best way to ensure this is to have a professional commercial painting service come out and get the job done for you. Here’s what needs to be done for your paint job to last as long as possible.
Good Paint Prep Practices
The amount of effort put into the preparation for the paint job is going to determine how long it lasts. Painting over old paint that’s either chipping, chalky, filled with mold, or downright dirty is going to cause the new paint to have a fairly short lifespan.
It won’t be able to stick well to the surface, so proper paint prep practics need to be followed to avoid this.
Good Painting Practices
For an optimal painting job, it’s best to avoid direct sunlight and extreme heat. If a section of your building is painted when the sun is touching it, it’ll cause the paint to dry too quickly. When this happens, streaks and brush strokes are made apparent.
This is avoided by painting sides of the building when the sun isn’t hitting it directly.
Excellent Paint Maintenance
Professionals will know all of the steps to take to ensure that your building’s paint job is done correctly. But once it’s completed, there are a few things that you can do to help maintain it. For example, you can use a hose to rinse away dirt from near your building and pressure wash the exterior every 5 years.
Time to Repaint Your Building’s Exterior
Unfortunately, even the best of paint jobs will need to be redone after a certain amount of time. But how can you tell if it’s time to repaint your building’s exterior? If it’s been over 10 years, then this is your first sign.
Otherwise, take note of the following signs to be on the lookout for:
1. Mildew or Mold Growth
If you’ve recently noticed green, black, or grey spots on your building’s walls, then you’re most likely dealing with mold or mildew growth. Although mold is a common problem for the exterior of buildings, it’s still something that needs to be taken care of. When mold is spotted, it might be time to call in the professionals.
2. Fading Paint Colors
Fading paint colors is another sign that it’s time to repaint your walls. Once the color has faded or the film on the paint appears dusty, it won’t provide the correct form of protection any longer. When this happens, you’ll want to repaint the walls as soon as possible.
3. Blistering Paint
When the paint begins to lose its adhesion, it’ll begin to blister. This could be a result of painting the building when the weather is extremely hot or when the sun was touching it directly. Moisture might also become trapped inside the wall and is trying to escape, which will cause the blistering.
Your building will need to be repainted if you spot blistering.
4. Cracking Paint
If you’ve noticed your paint cracking, then you’ll want to have it repainted as soon as possible to avoid the paint from eventually peeling. If the paint begins to peel, your building will be exposed to all of the different elements. For example, termites, moisture, fungi, and more can find their way into your building through these cracks.
5. Stubborn Dirt
Pressure washing your building on a consistent basis is the best way to keep your building’s paint from deteriorating. However, once you pressure wash your walls and realize that it’s not working to remove the dirt, then it might be time to repaint your building. If pressure washing doesn’t work to remove dirt and other stains, then consider repainting your building to improve the appearance.
So, How Long Does Exterior Paint Last?
How long does exterior paint last? After reading this guide, we hope you now have the answers you need. A paint job that’s done right should last you around 10 years with the proper maintenance.
And when you know what signs to look for, then you can properly prepare for a new paint job before too much damage is done.
Are you ready to transform your commercial building by repainting its exterior? Contact us today to get your free estimate! Here at Scott Brown Painting, we’re dedicated to providing you with a professional paint job that’ll last as long as possible!