Arizona homes are subject to a lot of abuse from the elements.
Sun, heat, blowing dust, monsoon rains, and seasonal changes can wear down exterior paint jobs over time.
Early signs of this wear might seem primarily cosmetic in nature.
Colors fade. Finishes lose their luster. Caulk begins to crack around windows and doors. Bits of paint start to peel off the fascia or trim.
However, exterior paint serves a purpose beyond enhancing aesthetics.
A properly prepared and painted exterior helps protect the surface beneath it.
This is why homeowners cannot simply consider repainting as a curb appeal project.
Professional exterior painting can serve a purpose in maintaining an existing home.
Exterior Paint Provides a Protective Layer
An exterior paint provides a protective coating on a variety of surfaces.
On an Arizona home, this can include the following:
- Stucco
- Fascia boards
- Trim
- Exterior doors
- Siding
- Patio posts
- And other painted surfaces
That coating acts as a barrier between the underlying surface and sunlight, moisture, dirt, and weather.
Over time, however, that barrier will break down.
When the coating begins to crack, peel, or fail to adhere, the surface underneath becomes more vulnerable.
This is why maintaining that coating matters.
Sunlight Is Very Demanding of Arizona Exterior Paint
Sunlight poses a challenge to exterior paint on Arizona homes.
Homes in Arizona get plenty of UV light exposure through much of the year.
This type of light can cause paint colors to fade over time.
The coating itself can also begin to chalk, which results in a powdery buildup on the surface.
Walls facing south and west will experience this type of degradation sooner than more shaded surfaces.
Dark colors may also wear differently than lighter colors.
Quality exterior repaint will restore that appearance while applying a new coating of protection to worn surfaces.
Heat Can Accelerate Wear on Exterior Surfaces
Heat and sunlight combine to accelerate wear on exteriors.
Exterior surfaces will often be hotter than the surrounding air in Arizona.
Stucco, wood, metal, and other exterior surfaces will expand and contract when temperatures change.
This process can place strain on older paint coatings, resulting in:
- Cracking
- Peeling paint
- Failing caulk
- Discoloration
- Splitting around joints
Proper preparation prior to a repaint helps address these problem areas instead of hiding them under another coat of paint.
Paint Protects Wood Fascia and Trim
Special attention must be paid to wooden surfaces.
Fascia, trim, patio posts, and other painted wood surfaces rely on proper coating to stay protected.
When paint starts to peel off these surfaces, bare wood becomes exposed.
This makes surfaces more vulnerable to moisture and weather damage.
Arizona may be dry through much of the year, but monsoons and occasional storms can cause problems here.
Moisture infiltration into wood will require costly repairs.
Maintaining painted wood can prevent minor maintenance issues from developing into major ones.
Professional Exterior Painting Begins With Evaluation
A good exterior repaint doesn’t begin with an applicator.
It starts with assessing the condition of the home.
Many existing homes will have a number of conditions that must be addressed before applying new paint.
These can include:
- Faded paint
- Chalking
- Peeling areas
- Cracked stucco
- Failing caulk
- Old repairs
- Bare wood
- Water stains
- Damaged trim
By identifying these issues up front, contractors know what preparation is required of the house.
At iPaint Homes, the emphasis is residential repainting. This means assessing the condition of an existing finish instead of treating every house as if it were new construction.
Surface Preparation Helps Make Sure New Paint Will Last
Preparation is an essential part of exterior painting.
Any new coating requires a clean and sound surface on which to apply.
Applying paint over old paint, chalking, dirt, or any failing surface can result in poor coating bonding.
Depending on the condition of the home, preparation can include cleaning, scraping off old paint, repairing cracks, fixing damaged caulk, and prepping worn surfaces.
Each house will require different preparations.
Though it takes extra time, proper surface prep makes sure the new finish gets an ideal foundation.
Cleaning Does More Than Just Remove Dirt
Arizona houses collect dust.
Wind will carry particles of dust onto stucco, trim, doors, and other exterior surfaces.
Over time, these particulates will build up on the exterior of a home.
Similar to chalking, this buildup can create a barrier between old surface and new paint.
Cleaning the exterior is therefore part of preparation.
Rather than simply making the walls clean, preparation makes the surfaces ready for a coating.
Good Caulk Closes Vulnerable Areas
Caulk plays an important role on many exterior surfaces.
These include areas such as:
- Windows
- Doors
- Trim
- Joints
- Penetrations
- Transitions
Arizona heat can cause older caulk to dry out, crack, shrink, or fall away.
This leaves open gaps where moisture and dirt can enter.
Prior to repainting, any failing caulk should be addressed.
Simply painting over caulk will not solve problems underneath it.
Proper Stucco Preparation Is Necessary
Stucco is commonly found on Arizona homes.
While very durable, it still experiences wear and tear.
Small cracks can occur over time.
The surface can fade, chalk, stain, and require patching due to old repairs.
An exterior repaint offers a contractor an opportunity to inspect these issues before applying the coating.
This can result in a cleaner, more even finish.
Old repairs will also be less noticeable.
Professional Exterior Painting Improves Moisture Protection
Arizona doesn’t receive constant rainfall, but moisture still matters.
Monsoons bring heavy rainfall and wind-driven moisture.
Proper paint coating will help protect exterior surfaces from the effects of weather exposure.
However, paint shouldn’t cover an active leak or moisture problem.
The source should be identified and repaired before coating surfaces with paint.
Paint is best used as part of overall home maintenance rather than repair.
Clean Finish Makes It Easier to See Problems
There is an added benefit to maintaining your exterior finish.
A clean, consistent finish makes it easier to spot future maintenance needs.
If an exterior already has faded paint, stains, peeled areas, and other patches, then any additional damage might blend in.
By professionally repainting, owners can identify future problems earlier since the exterior looks more consistent.
For example, water stains and cracks might be visible sooner after repainting.
This gives homeowners a headstart on maintenance needs.
Repainting Can Improve Curb Appeal
Protection is important, but appearance also matters.
A professionally applied new coat of exterior paint will make older homes look brand new.
Faded stucco will look cleaner. Fresh trim will look better defined.
Repainting doors and fascia makes homes look better maintained.
Owners can choose the same color for a refresh or update the entire color scheme for a more current look.
Either way, exterior painting can make one of the biggest changes to a home without remodeling.
Choose Colors Wisely in Arizona
Colors aren’t just a matter of design choice.
They may have an effect on how a surface looks in the future.
Very dark colors will absorb more heat and fade differently.
Some colors may also look very different in Arizona’s intense sunlight than on a small sample swatch.
Always try samples on the actual house.
Compare how they look in morning light, midday sun, and late afternoon shadows.
Don’t Wait Until Paint Begins to Peel
Owners often wait until large sections of paint are peeling off before they consider repainting.
This often means more preparation work will be necessary.
Owners should keep an eye out for early warning signs, which include the following:
- Fading
- Chalking
- Peeling areas
- Cracked caulk
- Exposed wood
- Cracked finishes
- Worn fascia or trim
Addressing exterior surfaces before full failure can reduce future maintenance work.
Residential Repainting Requires Special Consideration
Repainting an existing home is not the same as painting a newly constructed house.
The painter needs to work with an existing home rather than a blank slate.
This includes existing layers of paint, old repairs, cracks, fading, old caulk, weather exposure, and aging.
Not all of these surfaces will necessarily need work.
However, some might require special preparations before applying a fresh coat of paint.
That is why residential repaints should always start with an evaluation of the existing exterior.
The goal isn’t just to put another layer on the house.
The goal is to properly prepare existing surfaces and produce a clean, consistent finish.
Professional Exterior Painting Is Part of Home Maintenance
Exterior paint is easy to regard as decorative.
However, it also serves a practical purpose.
It helps protect stucco, wood, trim, doors, and other painted surfaces from exposure to elements.
Conditions in Arizona are challenging for exteriors.
Sunlight, heat, dust, winds, and monsoon weather all wear exterior paints over time.
At iPaint Homes, we specialize in interior and exterior repainting of existing homes.
We assess the condition of existing exterior finish, prepare worn surfaces, address any issues that exist, and focus on providing a clean professional finish.
If your exterior is beginning to fade, chalk, peel, or just generally looking worn, it might be time to consider repainting.
