How often should you have the interior of your home repainted?

Glenny's Painting
January 2024

Interior painting – having the interior of your home freshly painted is always a treat, especially when it is done by a professional residential painting company like Glenny’s Painting. A new coat of paint will freshen up rooms and make interior spaces crisper and more enjoyable for everyone at home.

How often the interior of your home needs to be painted depends on personal preferences and practical necessity. On average, a high quality interior paint job should last between 5 to 10 years. This has been our experience painting hundreds of home interiors in the Charlotte area. There are many factors that affect the decision to repaint the interior of a home. We go over the main reasons below.

What factors influence the decision to hire an interior painting company to repaint a home?

1. Type of paint and quality of workmanship

The type and quality of the paint product and the workmanship play a tremendous role in how long results will last. The better the paint product, the longer the paint will last. Professional interior painting companies in Charlotte like Glenny’s Painting don’t recommend premium quality paints to make more profit – they recommend them because they last longer and will save you more money in the long run by having to repaint less often. The brands and paint products we recommend for all interior painting projects exhibit better durability and resistance to wear. The preparation work, the workmanship and the quality of the paint products used all make a difference in the quality and durability of the results.

Surface preparation involves sanding to remove existing cracked and loose paint, patching holes and nail pops and smoothing out surfaces so they are ready to be primed and painted. Walls should be free of residue and dust as well before painting. Using a good primer and applying two sifted coats of quality paint is a must for long lasting results. A poor paint application will result in having to repaint interior rooms sooner rather than later. The cost of labor to repaint the interior of a home is manifold the cost of paint products. If it is within your budget, purchasing recommended by your painting professional will save you money in the long run.

2. Usage

If you have a large family, young kids and/or pets, you might need to repaint the interior of your home more often, every 3 to 5 years. Busy rooms like a kitchen, entry ways, kids bedrooms and bathrooms may need to be repainted sooner than an office, living room or primary bedroom. Rooms that get lots of sunlight might have faded wall colors from the sun. It’s important to keep in mind that not all rooms in a house will require repainting at the same time unless you decide to either freshen up your entire house or change its color scheme altogether.

3. Cleaning and proper care

Proper maintenance and care of painted surfaces helps making a paint job last longer. If your walls have dust and are stained, failing to properly clean them could result in early paint failure. You can prolong the life of your paint by implementing regular and easy cleaning routines such as wiping the walls with a damp cloth to remove dust and stains as well as oil residue from hands touching around doors and light switches. Using harsh chemicals to clean off walls could damage the paint finish and shorten the life of your paint job.

4. Color trends and personal preferences

The decision to repaint is not always driven by necessity. Changing tastes, new design trends, or putting a house up for sale could prompt you to have your interior spaces repainted. Homeowners often choose to repaint when they wish to update the color scheme of their interiors. While this may not be a necessity, it reflects the subjective nature of interior design. Some individuals may prefer to keep up with current trends, leading to more frequent repainting based on personal preferences.

5. Normal wear and tear

Careful inspection of the walls is a key factor in determining when a repaint is overdue. Scuff marks, stains, and peeling paint are clear indicators that the current paint job may no longer be providing adequate protection. Ignoring these signs can lead to further deterioration of the walls and may necessitate more extensive repairs in the future. It is advisable to address these issues promptly to maintain the overall integrity of the interior surfaces.

6. Climate and sunlight

The climate of a particular region can impact the longevity of an interior paint job. High humidity levels like the ones we get in the Charlotte area, extreme temperatures, and exposure to direct sunlight can accelerate paint deterioration. If you have a room with lots of sunlight, having curtains to block sunlight when at its peak will reduce the chances of your paint fading from direct sunlight exposure. Homeowners in regions with harsh weather may need to repaint more frequently to combat the effects of weathering on interior walls.

If you need the interior of your home painted and are looking for a top quality painting company in Charlotte, contact Glenny’s Painting today. We provide free quote and our prices are very competitive. View some of our recent work here.