When should I repaint my exterior trim versus my full house exterior in New Brunswick?
When should I repaint my exterior trim versus my full house exterior in New Brunswick?
In New Brunswick’s climate, exterior trim almost always needs repainting before the main siding does — and targeting trim refresh on a 4-7 year cycle while repainting the full exterior every 8-12 years is a cost-effective strategy that prevents moisture damage.
Trim takes the hardest punishment of any exterior surface. Horizontal surfaces like window sills and door sills collect standing water during NB’s heavy spring rains. South- and west-facing trim gets intense UV exposure. Window frames expand and contract with every freeze-thaw cycle, cracking caulking and letting moisture into the wood.
Warning signs that your trim needs immediate attention: paint that is cracking, peeling, or flaking off; soft or discoloured wood visible under the paint; caulking that has pulled away from window frames; or rust staining below metal hardware. Any of these conditions means moisture is already entering the wood — repaint within the current exterior season (May to October in NB).
A targeted trim repaint costs $1,500-4,000 depending on home size and trim complexity. That’s far cheaper than letting moisture rot the wood, which can turn into a $3,000-8,000 carpentry repair job.
For the full exterior repaint, the NB rule of thumb is 8-10 years for premium 100% acrylic latex on properly prepared surfaces, and 5-7 years for mid-range products or coastal homes. Cedar shingle siding common on older homes often needs repainting or restaining every 6-8 years.
Practical decision guide: If your siding still looks solid but your trim is showing wear, do a trim-only refresh. Use a quality exterior trim paint (semi-gloss or satin acrylic, $55-80/gallon). Two coats minimum. If both siding and trim are showing age, a full repaint at once makes more financial sense since mobilization costs are the same. The price difference between trim-only ($1,500-4,000) and full exterior ($4,000-12,000) may be smaller than you expect.
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