Table of Life Expectancy of Exterior Wood Finishes, Paints, Stains InspectAPedia® -
Life expectancy chart for exterior paints & stains
Paint & stain preparation advice
Which wood species & grains hold paint best?
Comparing latex vs. oil-based paints (alkyds)
Using solid color stains on wood exteriors
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Here we provide a table of the typical life expectancy of paints and stains on various types of exterior wood surfaces. This article includes excerpts or adaptations from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons.
Also see PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION for details of paint failure cause, diagnosis, cure and prevention. Our page top photo of a painted sign (The Big Tomato luncheonette in Poughkeepsie, NY) shows variation in two paints differing by color and chemistry, applied at the same time to the same surface.
The USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory
(FPL) has done extensive research on how to keep paints
and stains on wood sidings and trim. In general, they
recommend paint for the longest lasting finish and best
protection of the underlying wood, followed by solid or
semi-transparent stains. Clear finishes need the most frequent
recoating and offer the least protection from water
damage and UV radiation.
How long a finish will last depends on many variables,
including the quality of the finish, type and texture of
wood, application conditions, and exposure. South- and
west-facing walls get the most sun and are, therefore, often
the first to need recoating.
Steven Bliss served as editorial director and co-publisher of The Journal of Light Construction for 16 years and previously as building technology editor for Progressive Builder and Solar Age magazines. He worked in the building trades as a carpenter and design/build contractor for more than ten years and holds a masters degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Excerpts from his recent book, Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, Wiley (November 18, 2005) ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, appear throughout this website, with permission and courtesy of Wiley & Sons. Best Practices Guide is available from the publisher, J. Wiley & Sons, and also at Amazon.com.
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