How long does an exterior paint job last?

• <div><p>An exterior paint job lasts an average of 5 to 10 years, although some might only last 2 or 3 years and others up to 20 years. <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-long-will-your-paint-job-last.htm">How often you need to paint your home’s exterior</a> depends on various factors. The type and quality of the paint, the application quality, the surface material, and local weather conditions all play a part in the paint’s longevity. </p></div>

Get matched with top exterior painters in Calmar, IA

Q: Is it better to paint baseboards or walls first?

• <div><p>While you can do either, it&rsquo;s easier to paint your baseboards before your walls. Painting baseboards first lets you tape off the trim instead of the walls. Also, it&rsquo;s easier to cover up any mistakes on the walls since you&rsquo;ll eventually paint them.</p></div>

Q: How long do painted gutters last?

• <div><p>Because gutters are consistently exposed to elements like water and humidity, any paint applied to them will have a shorter life span than other exterior home features, like siding and shutters. In general, painted gutters will need to be touched up or completely repainted every 5 to 10 years, though you may get a couple extra years with regular care and maintenance.</p></div>

Q: How long after painting can you open the garage door?

• <div><p>You should let your initial paint job dry at least 12 hours before opening the door. Check your work after 12 hours have passed to confirm there are no uneven patches, or signs of the old paint showing though&mdash;if you see any, we recommend applying a second coat of paint and waiting an additional 12 hours for it to dry. </p></div>

Q: Can you paint drop ceiling tiles?

• <div><p>It&rsquo;s possible to paint certain drop ceiling tiles, including those made of plastic, metal, and wood. Painting fiberboard ceiling tiles is technically possible, but the results rarely look appealing, so it&rsquo;s best to replace them with new tiles, especially given how affordable they are. If you do paint your drop ceiling tiles, it&rsquo;s a good idea to use a paint sprayer and a rapidly-drying paint to avoid drips. Latex paint is often a good choice, especially if you thin it and apply it using a sprayer.</p></div>

Enter your ZIP and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your exterior painting project in Calmar, IA?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Verified Reviews for Exterior Painting pros in Calmar, IA

*The Angi rating for Exterior Painting companies in Calmar, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Exterior Painting needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Exterior Painting companies in Calmar, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Exterior Painting needs.

Last update on November 11, 2025

Reviewed in November 2020
We had storm damage due to the Derecho. Aurelio did our estimate himself. He was very professional and explained what was needed clearly. It was immediately evident that he knew exactly what he was talking about. He got us worked into the schedule faster than expected due to material...
Affordable Roofing and Exteriors INC
Request a quote
Reviewed in November 2020
I hired them to come in and paint whole house after another paint company messed up the house Chad came in and did a very professional job thanks again for job well done
Finken Painting
Request a quote
Reviewed in February 2020
Phil and his crew rearranged their current jobs to ensure that our floors were refinished in time to get the painting done before our move-in date. We also asked them to remove all the baseboards and quarter round - which was good thing because then we could see how poorly the flooring had been...
Oak Wood Floor
Request a quote
Reviewed in February 2020
Marco is professional and responsive, and his work is very good. WE hired Penagos Painting to completely repaint the interior of a house and its garage that we had just purchased. They did a really good job covering the awful paint on our textured walls, and repainted the trim and doors in...
Penagos Painting
Request a quote
Reviewed in August 2016
All went very well. Gloria came in and asked a few questions on how we used the area. I should of given her more details there, but it all worked out anyway. She asked for accessories from closets and other areas of my home. She used things in different ways than I would of thought to do, and...
Windy Ridge Interiors
Request a quote
Reviewed in April 2015
Installed it the first time, you could stick your hand in the holes in the duct work, came back a 2nd time didn't do anything, 3rd time they did some patching but there were still some holes, and it wasn't anchored to anything, they had to clean it twice and I still had dirt flying out of one of...
Service Legends Heating & Cooling
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2014
Patrick Overby was quick to respond to my invitation to bid the job of painting my 2 story house. He was informative and polite. He had bid ready in a timely manner, and I thought his price was very reasonable. Mike and Shelby were excellent workers and painters. They were pleasant to have...
Everlast Pro Painting
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2014
Our area (the towns of Adair and Casey and surrounding rural area) was hit by an extremely severe hail and windstorm June 30th, 2014. Every home and commercial business in the Adair area had severe damage in the form of roof and shingle damage, broken windows and siding and sheet metal damage. ...
Blackstone Exteriors LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in November 2009
We are very particular, so a four star from us is probably similar to a five star from most people. Sam and his crew were diligent and timely. We needed the job done by a specific date and they made it happen. Work looks very good. A few details were overlooked, but I know a call to Sam would...
S&B Renovations
Request a quote