This one comes up a lot regarding paint contractor FAQs. There are specific things to look for. The three questions below are not the only three to ask but are three key questions.

The national average for a paint job in the United States is seven years. This average seems to hold pretty accurate, depending on your climate. The more sun exposure your home has, the quicker the coating will deteriorate. If you live in a coastal environment, the coating will deteriorate more quickly due to the salt in the air.

Once the coating has started to fade, the film thickness has deteriorated in most cases. An old car is a good example. We’ve all seen a car with the color still intact, but the clear coat has started to break down, making the car look unsightly and inconsistent. Once this happens, the color will inevitably peel or fade rapidly. This fading also makes it accessible to other contaminants, such as rust or rot, depending on the surface material.

Once the paint has started peeling, it no longer protects the substrate. Wood rot or rust is inevitable, depending on the substrate. Beyond the obvious unsightliness, the substrate will begin to deteriorate rapidly

In almost every circumstance, we recommend two coats of paint. Two coats of paint are going to give you the longest-lasting paint job. Two coats of paint are going to provide more durability and color retention. As discussed above, once the film on the coating breaks down, the color will begin to fade and not protect the substrate. Although it is possible to apply one coat of cosmetic paint to make a surface look good, it will not provide the durability needed. When analyzing closely, you will see imperfections.