How often should I repaint the exterior of my home in New Brunswick’s Maritime climate?

In New Brunswick's Maritime climate, most homes need exterior repainting every 7–10 years for wood siding and trim, though coastal properties near the Bay of Fundy, Shediac, or the Northumberland Strait may need repainting every 5–7 years due to salt air exposure. The quality of the last paint job, the paint products used, the wood species and condition, and how well the surface was prepared last time all have more impact on longevity than any single factor.

NB's climate is genuinely hard on exterior paint. The combination of 100+ freeze-thaw cycles per year, significant spring and fall rainfall, high summer humidity averaging 65–85%, and salt-laden coastal air creates a punishing environment. Paint that might last 12–15 years in a dry inland Canadian climate will last 7–10 years in New Brunswick under the best conditions. This isn't a knock on the paint or the painters — it's just the reality of Maritime weather, and it's why surface prep and paint quality are non-negotiable here.

Watch for these signs that it's time to repaint — don't wait until you can see bare wood:

Chalking — run your hand along the siding and if you get a powdery white residue on your palm, the paint binder has broken down from UV exposure. The surface looks dull and flat. This is normal wear and the paint is still protecting the wood, but it's signalling that the protective film is thinning. Clean and repaint within 1–2 years.

Cracking and checking — fine hairline cracks ("checking") in the paint film are usually a sign of an aged oil-based paint or a paint film that's lost flexibility from years of expansion and contraction. Once cracking starts, water gets in, and from there freeze-thaw cycles will drive the cracks wider quickly. Don't wait.

Peeling and blistering — active peeling means moisture is beneath the paint film, either from water entry through failed caulk, from the wood drying out in spring, or from painting over wet wood the last time. Address the moisture source and repaint.

Fading and colour change — south- and west-facing walls in NB take the most UV. If the colour has faded visibly or looks blotchy, the topcoat has broken down. Functionally the paint may still be sealing, but you've lost a substantial portion of the protective film's thickness.

For cost planning, a full exterior repaint on a bungalow in Fredericton or Moncton runs $4,000–7,000, and a two-storey home $6,000–12,000. Spreading that over 8 years works out to $500–1,500 per year — far less than the cost of replacing rotted siding or window trim that was left unprotected. Think of exterior repainting as scheduled maintenance, not a cosmetic upgrade.

To get the most years between paint jobs: use 100% acrylic latex exterior paint ($55–80/gallon for premium products), make sure all caulking around windows, doors, and trim is in good condition before repainting, address any rotted or damaged wood before the new coat goes on, and clean the exterior thoroughly (power washing at moderate pressure) before the painters start. A well-prepared surface with premium paint in NB's climate should reliably reach 10 years before needing attention. Skimping on prep or paint quality will cut that to 4–6 years.

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