Exterior house painting - one or two coats?

[jubil]

Hello, I need to get my house painted (the exterior is cedar on three sides and brick in the front). I'm doing some research so I can be well-informed when the painting company comes to do my estimate. On their web site, they mention they have a one year guarantee for 1-coat applications, and a three year guarantee for 2-coat applications.

What are the benefits to getting 2 coats? I'm already a bit anxious about how much this will cost, but at the same time I don't want to scrimp on something that is important. So... one coat or two coats???

Thanks in advance!

[joneq]

link to the website would be nice and they will never know :thinker: Maybe not allowed. :wall: I don't know.

[noleguy33]

A couple of things.... is your house under hard sun for alot of the time?? What product are they using... and most importantly, what is the price difference(i know you don't know yet, but that plays a big part). I work at a paint store and I have never heard painters offering a gurantee on their work... maybe it's a regional thing.

[jeffk]

I warrant my 1 coat jobs for 3 yrs. Most last 5-7 years before splitting occurs (wood siding-stucco gets 7-10yrs). Any quality paint should last approx. 7 years. Things make a big difference in life of the job such as; lots of sun, lots of rain, no sun (mildew conditions), chemicals in the air from nearby factories or freeway,etc. Then there is good preparation of the house prior to painting and the existance of problem areas (blistering, peeling, chalking,etc) already present. THis is the most critical ingredient of a long lasting job. What's the big deal? to fix a problem isn't to repaint the whole house-just fix the failed area. Read the gaurantee and see what would be done in case of failure. I can't believe you can purchase paint today that would fail in 1 year but I'm sure there are lots of reasons why without properly prepping or applying it there could failure. Then there is lifetime warrantees (they supply the necessary paint to fix a problem) offered by Sherwin williams on their Duration brand (approx. $40/gal) and Glidden on their Endurance (approx. $25/gal.) if this interests you. my .02$

[prowallguy]

Yep, what jeffk said. Its all about the prep. I can put 10 coats on your house, but if I fail to prep correctly, the paint will fail. Ask them how they prepare the house for paint, then judge from that.

[marksr]

noleguy33
I have never heard of any GOOD painters that didin't garuntee their work.

jubil
Like the others have said good prep is important. I doubt any contractor will garuntee a job for as long as he expects it to last. There is no profit in having to come back and work for free. 2 coats on a properly prepared surface will out last 1, that is why they offer a longer garuntee. Since garuntees are only as good as the company that stands behind them be sure to check out their references.

[noleguy33]

If you're a GOOD painter then you shouldn't have to offer a gurantee. All the decent painters I deal with(1 out of every 5) back their work up when they need to... or take the appropriate actions through the paint company to take care of the customer. But nothing like that in the contract. To each his own I guess.