Most interior rooms take 1 to 2 days. A full exterior usually takes 3 to 5 days, depending on weather. Here is what sits behind those numbers.
How long does it take to paint a house inside?
Most rooms take 1 to 2 days, and a whole interior takes from a few days to about two weeks. How many days it takes depends on the size of the house, the crew and the prep.
As national figures for the painting itself, HomeGuide lists 4 to 5 hours for a bedroom, 2 to 3 for a bathroom and 5 to 7 for a living room, plus 1 to 2 hours for trim. Plaster repair, wallpaper removal and old trim add time in older homes.
How long does it take to paint the exterior?
A full exterior usually takes 3 to 5 days, depending on the size of the house and the weather. The national figure is 4 to 5 days.
Rain is the main cause of delay here. Days lost to weather are not working days, so a job can stretch across more of the calendar. Heavy scraping, tall walls and steep lots add time too.
How long should I wait between coats?
Wait about 2 to 4 hours between coats of most latex paints. Oil-based products usually need about 24 hours. The label on the can gives the exact time.
Cool, damp air slows drying. On a humid summer day or in an unheated room in winter, allow longer.
How long before I can put the furniture back?
You can usually put furniture back the day after the last coat. Keep it an inch or two off the walls for the first couple of weeks.
Wait longer before hanging pictures or pushing a headboard against the wall. Fresh paint is soft and can stick or mark.
How soon can I shower after the bathroom is painted?
Wait at least 24 hours before you shower in a freshly painted bathroom. Longer is better. Steam on uncured paint can cause streaks and surfactant runs.
Run the fan or open the window during and after the first few showers.
How long before I can wash or scrub new paint?
Wait about two to four weeks. Latex paint is dry in hours but takes that long to cure to full hardness. Until then, wipe marks gently with a damp cloth and no cleaner.
Can I stay in the house while it is painted?
Yes. Most people stay in their home during interior painting. We work room by room so you always have somewhere to live and sleep.
Today's low-odor paints make this easy. Families with babies, pregnant women or people sensitive to smells may want to be out while oil-based primers are used, and during any work that disturbs old lead paint.
How long does interior paint last?
Interior paint lasts for many years on walls that are not handled much. No national figure is published for interior paint alone. HomeGuide says paint in general is redone every 5 to 10 years.
Hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and children's rooms wear fastest. Ceilings and adult bedrooms last longest.
How long does exterior paint last in Pittsburgh?
Exterior paint usually lasts 5 to 10 years, by the national figure, with a full range of 3 to 20 depending on the surface and the weather.
| Surface | Published lifespan |
|---|---|
| Wood siding | 3 to 7 years |
| Aluminum siding | 5 to 10 years |
| Vinyl siding | 5 to 10 years |
| Stucco | 5 to 7 years |
| Brick (acrylic latex) | 3 to 5 years |
Our wet climate and freezing winters are hard on wood. Porch floors, steps, sills and anything near the ground wear out well before the walls.
How often should I repaint the outside of the house?
How often you repaint depends on the surface: plan on every 5 to 10 years for most siding, and sooner for wood trim and porches. Do not wait for bare wood.
Walk around the house each spring. Touching up failed caulk and a few peeling spots costs little and pushes the full repaint back by years.
For a schedule for your job, call or text (412) 668-1875.