Painting your house provides you with multiple benefits in addition to improving the overall
aesthetics. But is house painting essential?
Painting a house is a project that people typically put off until a long weekend when they have
multiple days they can devote to the task.
However, it should not be viewed merely as a weekend project. It is much more valuable than
the “I think I should” mentality people often attribute to painting. Whether you paint the inside or
exterior walls of your house, adding a fresh layer of paint has multiple benefits.
Benefits Of Painting Your House
- Improves Your House Aesthetics
The most common benefit of painting your home is that it makes it look more visually pleasing,
which is why it is something that the majority of homeowners shouldn’t neglect.
It is advisable to hire a professional painter to redo your house’s paint. However, if you are on a
budget, you can do this yourself.
But before embarking on a DIY house painting project, you might want to think about consulting
a professional painter or doing your own research, to ensure that the coat you apply will last for
years. - Increases Your Property’s Real Estate Value
Painting your property both inside and out boosts its curb appeal, thus increasing its real estate
value. This is why a vast majority of property owners who intend to sell their property or put it up
for rent always paint them first before putting it on the market. A reason for this is that tenants
and brokers evaluate the property’s value based on its present condition.
When a property is freshly painted, its final value appraisal typically increases, ensuring that
your return on investment is higher than your painting expense.
House painting is an effective, efficient, and probably the most inexpensive method that helps
increase your home’s overall curb appeal in contrast to choosing a more time and money-
consuming option, such as a complete home renovation.
If you want to raise the value of your home, it is essential to pick the proper color. For instance,
hues like Gold, Classic Blue, Navy Blue, and Dark Blue can significantly increase your home’s
appeal and make it look more opulent and luxurious. - Protects Your Homes From Weather
Painting your homes does not only serve as beautification but also a protective coating that
helps preserve home surfaces for years to come. It helps decelerate the process of wear and
tear as well as prevent major damage from extreme weather conditions.
Paint aids in removing any potential for moisture accumulation that could lead to mold growth,
further causing damage to your walls. Aside from that, it helps repel grime, dust, and dirt to a
minimum that otherwise causes the surface of the walls to weaken, especially those that have
plaster walls, trims, and surfaces.
This makes it preferable to occasionally apply a fresh coat of paint to lessen the stress and
weight that extraneous dirt and moisture can place on the structural integrity of your house,
which might end up costing a fortune to repair. Believe it or not, painting keeps your house
clean and at the same time preserves its visual aesthetics and structural integrity. - Improved Indoor Air Quality
One of the benefits of a fresh coat of paint that many don’t know about is that it provides you
with good air quality. Volatile organic compounds, which are chemicals that are emitted as
gasses, have been found to be harmful to health.
VOCs are commonly present in fabrics, cleaning products, and a variety of building materials,
including paint. However, nowadays, it is easy to purchase paint that has low amounts of
volatile organic compounds (VOC) and even some with none present at all.
Low VOC paint has two primary purposes:
- limit and prevent the growth of mold, and;
- speed up the paint’s drying process
Paint that has low to zero volatile organic compounds lessens the presence of fumes and odors
that would otherwise be present in significant concentrations in some brands.
Here is a list of paint brands that have low or zero volatile organic compounds:
● Benjamin Moore Aura
● Sherwin-Williams Harmony
● Clare Paint
● Green Planet Paints
● Homestead House Paint Company
● Valspar Simplicity
● BACKDROP
● Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company
● AFM Safecoat
● Magnolia Home Paint
● Earthborn Paint
Enhances your mood
- Painting is the most affordable option at your disposal to update your home. Old paint that has
faded and stained may make some homeowners feel burdened and devoid of any sense of
ownership or responsibility for their property, whereas newly painted walls might make you feel
more accomplished, fulfilled, and relaxed to have done something significant, even when it’s
merely as simple as painting it.
The ambiance you want to evoke has a lot to do with the color you choose to paint your walls.
The colors blue and green are excellent options when you want to feel an essence of relaxation
and calmness. On the other hand, yellow and orange are great options if you want to evoke a
boost of energy and productivity.
It can be challenging to decide which paint to use on your home because there are so many
colors available, each of which elicits different moods and creates different impressions. It is
therefore strongly recommended that you do your own research first or talk to a color consultant
when choosing paint colors. - Personalization
Another benefit of house painting is that owners are given the freedom of personalization.
Whether you are renting or purchasing your own house, it’s a completely different experience to
be able to have the freedom to redecorate your home and choose a paint color that suits your
style.
Colors can generate diverse emotions. The color of your walls already conveys something
about who you are as a person. It provides an additional sense of fulfillment, one that is a
reflection of what you value and what you enjoy.
When To Apply A New Coat Of Paint To Your House
Some homeowners view the task of painting their homes to be a tedious hassle, but actually, it
isn’t as bad as you might think.
In fact, the cheap upgrades provide you with numerous benefits mentioned above that can
make it the best investment you can make.
In addition to making your home look good to passers-by, guests, and investors, a house that is
freshly painted is also your property’s primary defense against certain weather conditions. Here
are some signs that suggest you should repaint your house: - Fading paint
Paint normally fades over time but this process is quickened with exposure to direct sunlight and
extreme heat. However, this isn’t always the case for all fading paints. If your paint is located in
a shaded area and is starting to fade, this may be an indication of moisture build-up that can be
caused by water intrusion. If there are obvious stains trickling in a downward manner from the
faded paint, that is a clear sign of leaking water.
Keep in mind that choosing the right shade of color is also important, especially for your exterior
paint. This is primarily due to the fact that these paints are the most vulnerable to harsh weather
conditions, thereby making them fade faster than interior paints.
Dark shade colors are more likely to fade much faster than light colors, so keep that in mind
when picking a color for the exterior of your home. The science behind this is that dark colors
have a tendency to absorb more heat and transform into moisture at a quicker pace than light
colors. - Cracked, Flaking, and Bubbling paint
Cracked, flaking, and bubbling paint is caused by extreme heat from the sun, high humidity
levels, ocean breeze, and blowing sand if you’re living near the beach.
This basically means that the surface painted on may be damaged, have dry or wet rotting, and
mold build-up which is a result of an unsuccessful waterproofing and paint application. - Chips and Peels
Your walls should be repainted before they start to chip and peel to reduce any risk of damage
to your house’s exterior materials. Painting it before any visible chips and peels helps to lessen
the additional cost and work to repair it, including scraping, caulking, and surface replacement.
Paint usually lasts for approximately seven to ten years before requiring a new coat to be
applied. The length of time varies, though, according to the materials used to build your homes
as well as where you are located. For instance, fiberboard siding, a common material used for
residential houses and some commercial projects, approximately takes ten to fifteen years
before needing a repaint.
Traditional cladding materials such as stucco, vinyl, and aluminum siding require frequent
repainting, approximately every five years in hot and dry regions. Meanwhile, they last for
around twenty years in humid areas.
Wooden exteriors need to be repainted every three to seven years in hot climates, but they can
last up to four to ten years in humid climates.
Is It Necessary To Apply A Second Coat When Painting
Yes, applying a second coat of paint is important. You might believe that one coat of paint is
plenty and that adding a second one would just be an extra cost. But that is not the case.
One coating may cost less at the time and may make your job simpler and quicker, but it will
undoubtedly cost more in the long run.
Here is why it is important to apply a second coat of paint:
- It Makes The Finish Look More Vibrant And Visually Pleasing
Even though some paints slightly vary in terms of their viscosity, others contend that thick paint
only needs one application. But it’s important to keep in mind that this approach won’t lead to
the result you want.
It is always necessary to at least aim for a second coat of paint because this ensures that the
final outcome is even and the colors are vibrant. Don’t listen to others who say that one coat is
enough because you are using a dark color. It may seem fine after you paint but be rest assured
that your finish isn’t the same as when you apply a second coat. - Makes The Home Structure More Durable
Applying a second coat of paint isn’t advised just because of the appeal it gives to the final
result. A single coat does not assure you that you have painted the entire surface completely
and evenly. A second coat enables you to fill in the gaps you may have possibly missed during
your first coat enabling your paint to be thick, evenly spread, and smooth.
In addition to filling the gap, a second coat makes it easier to clean your walls especially since
there are no gaps that dust and grime can hide in. - Widens Your Color Options
Most people overlook the fact that adding a second coat of paint gives you more color
possibilities. Applying a second layer might help if you want to change the color of your house
but are concerned that it won’t work out the way you want it to because of the color difference
between the old and new paint.
A secondary coating always provides more comprehensive coverage than a single coat. It will
allow you to completely cover the surface without having the previous color show through. - The Paint Lasts Longer
A second coat instantaneously extends the lifespan of the paint by at least 10 years compared
to applying a single coat, which only lasts approximately three years before having to repaint.
The length of time your paint will last varies depending on the climate so applying a second coat
ensures that the colors last longer.
How Long Should You Wait To Apply The Second Coating
In general, you should wait at least three hours before applying a new coat when you’re using
water-based paint and primer.
For oil-based paint and primer, it is best to let it dry for a day before applying the second
coating. Always make it a habit to read the label or do your own research before starting with
the painting process to ensure that you get the best results.
However, in both cases, the length of time you need to wait will depend on the temperature and
how quickly the paint is drying.
Interior Paint
Interior paint will take at least one hour to dry and at least two hours before you can apply a
second coat.
Exterior Paint
Similar to interior paint. However, when covering heavy stains, it is ideal to wait for
approximately twelve to sixteen hours before applying a second coat.
Primer
For primers, it will take at least thirty minutes to dry and one hour before you can recoat it.
Ceiling Paint
Ceiling paint takes at least an hour to dry and at least two hours to fully cure before a second
coating can be applied.
Water-Based Paint
Water-based paint can dry between thirty to forty-five minutes and can be recoated after one
hour – depending on the temperature.
Brick Paint
When painting bricks, it can take approximately two to three hours to dry and four hours before
you can apply a second coating.
Chalk Paint
This kind of paint can dry for at least an hour and can be recoated after two to four hours.
Spray Paint
This kind of paint dries after twenty minutes and can be recoated after one hour.
Final Thoughts
Painting your home may take some time and effort, depending on whether you decide to do it
yourself or hire a professional.
Yet, embarking on this project can be the best investment you make.
In addition to making your home look more elegant and luxurious, it also provides countless
benefits that you might have not been aware of, including an increase in its real estate value,
protection against weather conditions, better air quality, and improved mood.
All of the time, money, and effort you put into painting your homes will undoubtedly be
worthwhile and rewarding once you see and experience the final outcome.