Exterior painting
How often should an Algarve house be repainted?
Orientation, salt exposure, shade, moisture, preparation and coating system all change how a finish ages. A dated condition record is more useful than a promise based only on years.
Updated 17 September 2026 · 5 min read
Different elevations age at different speeds
A sunny exposed wall, a shaded wall with slower drying and a sheltered entrance may not need work at the same time. Salt, irrigation, roof runoff and vegetation create additional local loads. Photograph each elevation in the same light and label it by direction.
- Check parapet tops and window edges
- Look behind plants and near sprinklers
- Compare exposed and sheltered walls
Read the coating signals
Fading alone is mostly visual. Chalking, hairline cracking, blistering, peeling, dark damp patches and open joints give stronger reasons to investigate. Determine whether the issue is the coating, the substrate, water entry or movement before specifying primer and finish.
Build a maintenance decision, not a countdown
Keep annual photographs and bring inspection forward after severe weather or a leak. Local preparation and repair can sometimes delay a full repaint; widespread loss of adhesion or repeated moisture usually needs a broader scope. Product instructions and substrate condition should define the system.
Before requesting an estimate
Before requesting an estimate
- One labelled photograph of every elevation
- Close-ups of cracks, chalking, blistering and joints
- History of leaks, irrigation and previous paint
- Areas with difficult access or strong sun and salt exposure
Sources and further reading
- Robbialac — Choosing paint for façades
- Robbialac — Tinta Fachadas Lisa technical sheet
- IPMA — Faro climate normal 1991–2020
Product instructions and the condition of the property always take priority over general guidance.
