Want to know if it’s time to repaint the exterior of your commercial building or office space? Well, a good rule of thumb is to consider two key factors:

1. The age of your commercial property
2. How many years it’s been since it was painted last

Most professional painters consider five years as a good benchmark for when a building’s exterior needs to be repainted. However, that figure can fluctuate up or down depending on many factors.

In fact, our painting technicians have seen commercial buildings that have been painted 8 or even 10 years ago that still look amazing. Yet, on the flip side, they’ve also highly recommended a re-paint on buildings that were painted less than 2 years ago!

Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors.

Main Factors That Can Negatively Affect the Lifespan of Your Commercial Property’s Paint Job

While your home’s painted bedroom or kitchen can look like new for many years, the paint on your building’s exterior has one huge disadvantage: the weather.

Here are the top conditions, climates and factors that can make the outside of your building show its age:

Exposure to the Elements

Think of the harsh weather we get in Pennsylvania. Freezing temperatures, snow and ice, heavy rainfalls and quite a bit of wind. Sunlight, rain, wind, ice and extreme temperatures — both high and low — can all cause paint to fade, crack, peel or blister prematurely.

Exposure to the Elements

Think of the harsh weather we get in Pennsylvania. Freezing temperatures, snow and ice, heavy rainfalls and quite a bit of wind. Sunlight, rain, wind, ice and extreme temperatures — both high and low — can all cause paint to fade, crack, peel or blister prematurely.

Moisture is one of the leading causes of an aging paint job. Rain, snow and humidity causes moisture to seep into cracks and under the paint. Months after months of an abundance of moisture leads to paint blistering, peeling and even mold or wood rot

Ultraviolet rays from the sun also wreak havoc on a coat of paint. While we don’t live in Florida, the UV rays we get in the spring and summer months can break down paint’s binder, which leads to fading and weakening. The south-facing surfaces of your building attract the most sun and tend to fade first.

Freeze-thaw cycles are horrible for paint.. In Pennsylvania, we know these cycles well. When we continuously go through repeated freezing and thawing, the paint naturally expands and contracts. Cracks in the paint and peeling are the visible results.

Surface Preparation

Not all painting companies exercise the strict attention to preparing a commercial building’s exterior as Key Painting & Decorating does. Some cut corners. They try to save time or reduce expenses by skipping vital steps in the preparation of the exterior of your commercial space.

Your paint job may age prematurely if you neglect preparing the surface correctly, including:

Proper cleaning and preparation. Before painting, the exterior of your commercial building must be thoroughly cleaned. Remember, this surface has been exposed to harsh weather, wind, rain and snow for years. A good cleaning ensures any debris and dirt are washed away. It also removes any loose paint. Neglecting this step is an invitation to premature peeling.

Using a primerApplying a good quality primer can improve paint adhesion and durability, especially on new or previously painted surfaces. Yes, it takes extra time. Yes, it may cost a little more. But, neglecting this critical step leads to poor paint adhesion, uneven color, increased moisture issues and a reduced paint lifespan.

Paint Quality

Yes, the quality of the paint is paramount. Exterior paints are formulated to withstand the harsh elements better than interior paints. If you’re getting multiple bids for your next paint job, get proof they are using exterior paints for your exterior walls

Also higher quality paints with better binders and pigments will generally last longer than cheaper alternatives.

Location and Use

Finally, where your commercial building is located matters. Are you close to the shores of Lake Erie where salt air can erode your paint job even faster? Are you in a high-traffic area that gets a lot of pollution from cars and trucks?

All of these factors determine when your commercial space is due for a paint refresh.

Not Sure If Your Building Needs A Paint Refresh of Not? Let Us Take a Look and Give You an Honest Answer.

The experienced technicians at Key Painting and Decorating let you know if your last paint job will be good for a few more years or if you might consider a paint touch-up or entirely new paint refresh.

It starts with our FREE exterior painting services estimate. Simply call us at 717-566-0280 or fill out this simple form.