Painting the inside of your home? Easy enough – you can tackle that whenever the mood strikes. But when it comes to the exterior, well, that’s a completely different kettle of fish. It’s one of those big jobs that we all know needs doing, yet somehow it keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.
So, how often should you paint your house exterior? The thing is, you can’t just wing it with exterior painting. Leave it too long and your house starts looking shabby – worse still, you might end up with actual damage to deal with. Getting the timing right matters just as much as choosing the perfect shade for your bedroom walls.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about exterior painting schedules, the warning signs that scream “time to repaint”, and how to squeeze every last year out of your paintwork.
How Often Should You Paint the Exterior of Your House?
The truth is, exterior painting is one of those tasks that’s easy to forget about. It’s not like changing your bed sheets or mowing the lawn. You might go years without giving it a second thought. In fact, it probably only crosses your mind when the paint starts to look a bit rundown. But how often should you actually be repainting the outside of your house?
Most UK homes need a fresh coat every 5 to 10 years. But that timeframe isn’t set in stone. Your house might need attention sooner, or you might get lucky and stretch it longer. It all comes down to what your property’s dealing with day in, day out.
What Affects How Often You Need to Paint?
Weather Exposure
If your house gets battered by the elements, you’re looking at repainting more often. Take Camden, for instance – between the pollution, the rain, and all that urban grime, houses here really take a beating. When you’re dealing with harsh conditions like that, you’re probably looking at touching up every 5-7 years rather than stretching to the full decade.
The sun’s particularly brutal on paintwork. Those UV rays will fade your lovely exterior faster than you’d think possible.
Type of Surface
Not all building materials age the same way, and frankly, some are more high-maintenance than others.
Stucco is so porous that it practically drinks up moisture, which means you’re looking at repainting every 4-6 years if you want to stay on top of things. Especially if your house cops a lot of rain or those temperature swings we get here in the UK.
Brick’s a bit more forgiving. It’s tougher stuff, so you can easily get away with repainting every 3-5 years, depending on how damp your area gets.
Quality of the Previous Paint Job
Cheap paint job? Cheap results. It’s that simple.
If you splashed out on proper professionals who used decent paint and knew what they were doing, you’ll probably get your money’s worth in longevity. But if you went the budget route – a quick DIY job, perhaps – don’t be surprised when you’re back to square one sooner than expected.
In Camden’s Changing Climate
Living somewhere like Camden throws extra challenges into the mix. You’ve got constant foot traffic kicking up dust, pollution settling on everything, and all the usual London urban nastiness.
Those beautiful Victorian and Georgian houses look stunning, but they need extra TLC to stay that way. Regular cleaning and repainting isn’t just about looks – it’s about protecting these older buildings from all the grime, lichen, and algae that love to make themselves at home.
Signs It’s Time to Repaint Your Exterior
Even if you don’t think it’s quite time to repaint yet, keep an eye out for these telltale signs:
- Faded or chalky appearance: when you run your hand along the wall and come away with chalky residue, that paint’s done its job and then some. The colour looking washed out is your first clue that protection’s wearing thin.
- Cracking or peeling: Once paint starts coming off in chunks, your house is basically defenseless against whatever weather throws at it.
- Mould or mildew: Those dark patches creeping up your walls? That’s moisture getting where it shouldn’t. Your paint’s supposed to keep that stuff out, so when you start seeing mould, it’s game over.
- Water stains: Damp spots and water marks are your paint waving a white flag. Time to call in reinforcements.
How to Make Your Exterior Paint Last Longer
Want to get the most bang for your buck? If you want your exterior paint to stand the test of time, there’s more to it than just picking the right colour. While DIY might seem like a quick fix, hiring a professional is the best way to ensure your paint job lasts longer.
1. Proper Surface Prep
Preparation is absolutely everything. A proper painter won’t just rock up and start painting over whatever’s already there. They’ll clean everything properly, scrape off the old stuff that’s failing, fill in cracks, and sort out any mould issues before they even think about opening a paint tin.
Skip this step and you’re wasting your money. New paint over poorly prepped surfaces will start failing almost immediately. In areas like Camden where there’s so much pollution and general urban muck, this preparation stage becomes even more critical.
2. Using High-Quality Paint
We know it’s tempting to save a few quid on paint, but trust us, this isn’t the place to cut corners. Good exterior paint isn’t just about looking nice – it’s about protection and longevity.
For heritage buildings, particularly around Camden, we use special breathable paints that work with old stone and brick rather than against them. These paints let the building breathe naturally while still providing protection, which stops moisture getting trapped and causing problems down the line. They also stand up much better to fading and weathering.
3. The Right Conditions for Painting
Timing matters more than you might think. Paint in the wrong conditions – too hot, too cold, or when it’s about to chuck it down – and you’re asking for trouble. The paint won’t bond properly, you’ll get uneven coverage, and it’ll start failing much sooner than it should.
A decent exterior painter knows when to work and when to wait. We schedule around the weather to make sure everything cures properly, which is what gives you that long-lasting finish.
4. Regular Maintenance
Once you’ve got that fresh coat on, a bit of ongoing care goes a long way. We’re not talking about anything complicated – just keeping an eye on things, doing the odd touch-up when needed, and giving the exterior a clean now and then.
A pro will recommend the best methods to keep your paint looking its best. We always suggest DOFF steam cleaning for Camden properties. It’s ideal for getting rid of all that urban grime, algae, and general dirt without damaging the paintwork underneath. It’s mucher better than something like pressure washing – gentle enough to strip or fade the paint, but effective enough to keep everything looking fresh.
5. Protection from the Elements
Urban areas are tough on paintwork. Between pollution, UV rays, rain, and general city life, your exterior’s constantly under attack. The right paint can make all the difference – some are specifically formulated to resist UV damage, others are better at repelling water.
A professional painter knows which products work best in your specific situation. We can recommend paints that’ll stand up to whatever your local environment throws at them, giving your house the best possible protection.
Getting professionals involved isn’t just about the convenience – it’s about getting results that last. When you invest in proper exterior painting, you’re not just improving how your house looks; you’re protecting one of your biggest assets for years to come.
There’s no magic number when it comes to how often you should repaint your house exterior. While 5-10 years is the general rule of thumb, your specific situation might be completely different. Factor in your building materials, local climate, and how much exposure your property gets, and you’ll have a better idea of what you’re working with.
What we can say for certain is this – a well-timed paint job does double duty. It keeps your house looking smart and protects the structure underneath. Get the timing right, use quality materials, and have it done properly, and you’ll save yourself money and headaches in the long run.
Time to Refresh Your Home’s Exterior?
Our expert team is here to help. Just get in touch and we can assess whether the time is right for your Camden property to be touched up.