Life expectancy of paint on building surfaces:

How long should a building paint job last? What affects the life of paint on exterior or interior surfaces of buildings.

Here we provide a table of the typical life expectancy of paints and stains on various types of exterior wood surfaces.

Table of Life of Exterior Wood Finishes (Paints & Stains) on Various Types of Wood Surfaces

Our page top photo of a painted sign (The Big Tomato luncheonette in Poughkeepsie, NY) shows variation in two paints differing by color and chemistry, applied at the same time to the same surface. Also see PAINT FAILURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION for details of paint failure cause, diagnosis, cure and prevention.

The table provided below is courtesy of Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) by Steven Bliss, and supports our detailed article on the diagnosis and correction of building paint failures at PAINT & STAIN GUIDE, EXTERIOR.

The USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) has done extensive research on how to keep paints and stains on wood sidings and trim. In general, they recommend paint for the longest lasting finish and best protection of the underlying wood, followed by solid or semi-transparent stains. Clear finishes need the most frequent recoating and offer the least protection from water damage and UV radiation.

[Click to enlarge any image]

How long a paint or stain surface finish will last depends on many variables, including

1. the quality of the finish,
2. type and texture of wood,
3. application conditions, and
4. exposure.

South- and west-facing walls get the most sun and are, therefore, often the first to need recoating.

- - Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) .

Reader Question: relationship of paint color to its life

(Feb 18, 2015) Pam York said:
Does paint color influence durability of paint?

This question was posted originally at PAINT & STAIN GUIDE, EXTERIOR

Reply:

Pam

In my OPINION the color may have a measurable impact on paint life in that darker colors tend to absorb more heat (or reflect less heat away from the painted surface); so insofar as the effects of heat on paint impacts its life so indirectly may its color. Certainly sunlight is a significant factor in paint durability outdoors, of which some of the sunlight effect is probably heat and photooxidation.

These are some interesting references in which authors address this topic:

• Wenhua, Zhang, and Zhang Faai. "Study on the Effect of Material and Film Thickness of Coatings on Reflection and Heat-Insulation Performance [J]." Paint & Coatings Industry 6 (2007): 008.
• Nichols, M. E., J. L. Gerlock, C. A. Smith, and C. A. Darr. "The effects of weathering on the mechanical performance of automotive paint systems." Progress in Organic Coatings 35, no. 1 (1999): 153-159.
• Lü, Xiaoshu. "Modelling of heat and moisture transfer in buildings: I. Model program." Energy and Buildings 34, no. 10 (2002): 1033-1043.
• Papasavva, Stella, Sheila Kia, Joseph Claya, and Raymond Gunther. "Life cycle environmental assessment of paint processes." Journal of Coatings Technology 74, no. 925 (2002): 65-76.
• LI, Qing-cai, Mao-lin YANG, Jin-feng CUI, Yong-ning FAN, and Jun-feng MENG. "Development of Organosilicane Heat Resistant Black Paint [J]." Modern Paint & Finishing 1 (2007): 003.
• Beetseh, C. I., and D. Oragbe. "Presence of Volatile Organic Compounds in Fine Coat Paint Used in House Decoration in Benue State Nigeria." Chemistry and Materials Research 3, no. 9 (2013): 53-60.

Also see our articles on paint blisters caused by painting in sunlight:

inspectapedia.com/PaintFailure/Paint_Mistakes_to_Avoid4.htm

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Continue reading at PAINT & STAIN SELECTION & PROCEDURES or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see

EXTERIOR WALL SIDING TRIM & FINISHES

PAINT FAILURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION - home

PAINT & STAIN GUIDE, EXTERIOR

PAINT & STAIN SELECTION & PROCEDURES

PAINTING MISTAKES

Suggested citation for this web page

PAINT & STAIN LIFE CHART found at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to PAINTS & STAINS & FAILURES

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

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