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 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.