Knowing When Your San Diego Home Needs New Exterior Paint

When to Paint the Outside of Your House

San Diego homeowners often ask, “How do I know when my house needs new exterior paint?” It’s a common question, and the answer can help maintain both the beauty and structural integrity of your home.

How Often Should You Repaint?

Generally speaking, you should repaint your home’s exterior every 8 to 10 years. However, there are certain telltale signs that indicate it’s time for a new coat of paint sooner.

Signs It’s Time to Repaint

  1. Fading Paint: Over time, the sun’s UV rays can cause paint colors to fade. If your once-vibrant paint looks dull and washed out, it’s a sign that your home needs repainting.
  2. Bubbling or Peeling Paint: When moisture gets under the paint, it can cause bubbles or peeling. This not only looks unsightly but can also expose your home to further weather damage.
  3. Splitting and Cracking Wood: Wood surfaces can split and crack due to weather exposure. If you notice these signs, it’s crucial to repaint to protect the underlying wood from further deterioration.

San Diego’s Climate Impact

San Diego’s unique climate plays a significant role in the longevity of exterior paint. While we enjoy sunny weather most of the year, the rainy season, especially in February, can take a toll on your home’s exterior.

  1. Sun Damage: The intense sun can cause paint to fade and degrade over time. Dark colors may absorb more heat and fade faster, whereas lighter colors may reflect the sun’s rays better and last longer.
  2. Rain Damage: Even in a sunny climate, rain can cause significant damage. February is typically the rainiest month in San Diego, and this moisture can lead to bubbling, peeling, and other issues if your home’s exterior isn’t properly protected.

Tips for Protecting Your Home’s Exterior

To extend the life of your exterior paint, follow these maintenance tips:

  1. Install Gutters: Gutters help divert rainwater away from your home’s exterior, reducing the risk of water damage.
  2. Adjust Sprinklers: Ensure that your sprinklers are not pointed directly at your home’s walls. Excessive water exposure can lead to bubbling and peeling paint.
  3. Regular Inspections: Periodically inspect your home’s exterior for signs of wear and damage. Addressing small issues early can prevent larger problems down the line.

Professional Advice from Gen Pro Painting

At Gen Pro Painting, we always provide homeowners with the best advice on maintaining their home’s exterior. After completing a job, we recommend regular upkeep and prompt attention to any signs of damage. By staying proactive, you can keep your home looking its best and protected from the elements.

If you’re unsure whether it’s time to repaint your home, give us a call. We’re happy to provide a thorough inspection and expert recommendations to keep your San Diego home in top condition.

How do you find a good house painter in San Diego?

When hiring a painter for new interior/exterior paint in San Diego, every homeowner wants to know: how do I find the best local house painter for me & my job?

If you’re looking for a house painter, chances are you’ve got a good reason! Don’t let worries about choosing the right painting contractor get in the way. With our simple tips, you’ll know what to look for when hiring a local painting company to paint your San Diego home.

The first and most critical way is to only hire a painting contractor who is licensed, bonded & insured.

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

Gen Pro Painting
CA CSLB
Lic. #857580

To be licensed means that a contractor has a valid contractor’s license from a state or local contractor licensing authority.

A system of licensing is how the state ensures that every contractor has a basic level of knowledge, competence and business stability. Gen Pro Painting is licensed, bonded, and insured, and we’re happy to discuss the details. Never hire an unlicensed contractor!

Second, certified painters offer top-notch quality and can handle tough jobs.

One of the most challenging aspects of interior & exterior painting is dealing with lead paint. Local painting contractors have to demonstrate superior attention to detail in order to be certified to remove lead paint.

Gen Pro Painting is proud to offer certified lead paint abatement and lead paint removal services in San Diego!

Lead Paint Certified

Demonstrated capability to safely remedy both interior & exterior lead paint.

Third, always look for reviews on social media when looking for a house painting contractor. A good painter will have plenty to be proud of!

Yelp Logo
5 star rating

We had our patio cover painted. We are very pleased with the job done by Gen Pro. We would use them again!

Joani M.

8/08/2022

Yelp Logo
5 star rating

Mat and his workers did a great job. The heat was really high a couple of days. Mario was meticulous and answered any questions I had. They did a full preparation and then painted trim then the main color. I will use them again if I need future painting.

Robert E.

7/06/2022

Yelp Logo
5 star rating

Andre was the foreman of the crew that painted our house. They did an outstanding job. Andre was attentive to the work and made good recommendations. Will certainly use them for future paint projects.

James B R.

2/11/2022

Finally, look for a painter who’s big on communication, a painter who does business locally and who’s in it for the long haul, and a painter who stands by their work.

At Gen Pro Painting, we keep in touch during the job, with routine check-ins on progress & quality. Avoid losing time on warranty touch-ups with Gen Pro: we get it right the first time!

Why not give us a call today?

How To Choose A Paint Finish For Your San Diego Home

How to choose a paint finish for your San Diego Home

How To Choose A Paint Finish For Your San Diego Home

You picked your interior and exterior paint colors. But now, you are stuck on the complexity of paint finishes. What is it? Which one is perfect for your San Diego home? Gen Pro Painting is here to inform you about the most common paint finishes and provide you guidance on how to choose a paint finish for your San Diego home.

What Is A Paint Finish?

A paint finish or sheen is a measure of how much light reflects off a painted surface. The categories for the most common paint finishes are: 

  • Flat
  • Matte
  • Eggshell
  • Pearl
  • Satin
  • Semi-Gloss
  • High Gloss

Sheens and glosses range on a scale from no shine to high shine. Most often, you need a specific type of paint finish for different rooms in your home. 

Flat Paint

Flat paint finish is used regularly for ceilings, sidings, or walls that do not have much foot traffic. This paint finish does not reflect light, resulting in no gloss at all. Therefore, it is highly pigmented and hides imperfections well. Beware when considering flat paint in high-traffic areas like the kitchen or the living room. Stains are more strenuous to remove from low-sheen paint, and persistent cleaning can result in burnishing. 

Matte Paint

Matte paint finish is almost as gloss-free as flat. However, it is a little more durable. Also, a matte finish paint can endure constant cleaning, even when applied in bustling areas like hallways, front rooms, and bathrooms. A few brands have designed their matte paint to be long-lasting and resistant to mold in high-humidity conditions.

Eggshell Paint

Eggshell paint finish has a low-sheen similarity of flat or matte, but it is immeasurably more durable than them. Furthermore, this finish reflects more light, casting a soft glow on paint colors exquisitely. It is easy to clean and ideal for high-traffic areas of the home, such as dining rooms, bedrooms, and living rooms.

Pearl Paint

Pearl paint finish is a moderate gloss that has high durability. A pearl finish provides the benefits of being gorgeous and easy to clean. Besides, it gives dimension to trim while being optimal for rooms with the most lively activity. One caution to note for you if you choose this finish. A pearl finish is more capable of showing painting flaws like lap marks. Therefore, ensure your paint is carefully applied. If you want to ensure your San Diego home has a perfect paint coat application, let me know because Gen Pro Painting is glad to help!

Satin Paint

The majority confuse satin paint with other finishes. However, there is a difference! For example, the distinction between eggshell and satin paint is that satin delivers a more prominent gloss while offering better stain resistance and longevity than lower paint finishes, including eggshell.
Satin paint works well for decorative areas like the windows, cabinets, and interior doors if you want to highlight with more definition.

Semi-Gloss Paint

A semi-gloss paint finish is lustrous and gives a gleaming look to your home. It is optimal for rooms with a high probability of moisture, drips, and grease stains. Due to its high level of sheen, it can be scrubbed clean of any defects effortlessly. Thus, this paint finish is most common in the kitchen or bathroom. However, it also can be used to feature decorative paneling or architectural details in your home with its glowing finish.

High-Gloss Paint

Mirror, mirror on the wall… oh wait! It is not a mirror? No, what you are seeing is a high-gloss paint finish on those walls. High-gloss is at the top of the sheen chart, is exceptionally durable, and offers elegant shine. Therefore, it is easy to clean, stain-resistant, and adds a remarkable style to doors, trim, and or an accent wall. Remember, high-gloss paints should be applied to your home by a professional painter because their high sheen reflects light very easily, and can emphasize imperfections. Preparation is crucial to ensure the areas are smooth before application.

I hope these tips helped you learn how to choose a paint finish for your San Diego home. Painting a home is challenging, but you do not have to do it yourself. Please contact Gen Pro Painting for any San Diego painting services or if you have questions.

How much does it cost to paint a house in San Diego?

Of course, the answer is it all depends – but depends on what?

Yes, finding the cost of a house painting job involves a bit more than simply punching square feet × cost of paint into a calculator. But it doesn’t have to be overly complicated!

A good painting contractor will provide a clear estimate to help you understand what’s what.

Here are the fundamentals we consider at Gen Pro Painting when creating a free quote for house painting in the San Diego area:

  • size of the space to be painted
  • job complexity

All else being equal, a 3,000 square foot house is going to cost more to paint than a 1,500 square foot house.

And of course, it will cost more to paint your house if there’s a lot of prep work to be done, or if there’s lots of intricate trim to paint, or if you want different colors in every room (or even in the same room!)

There are other factors in the cost of a painting job, chiefly the cost of paint, materials, and labor. But it’s the details of the job that dictate how much of each we’ll need.

At Gen Pro, we do a full site inspection and provide a detailed estimate, so you understand what you’re paying and why. Best of all, you can request a free quote online right now.

How much does it cost to paint your San Diego home? Just ask, and we’ll give you a straight answer quicker than you thought possible!