Older weatherboard homes are a familiar part of Hobart, but repainting them properly can involve considerably more work than simply applying another coat of paint.
Years of sun, rain and previous paint systems can leave weatherboards with peeling coatings, exposed timber, failed gaps and areas requiring repair. On older homes, there may also be multiple previous coatings that need to be assessed before preparation begins.
At Performance Painting, we’ve been painting and restoring Hobart homes since 1994. With older weatherboards, our approach starts with inspecting the existing surfaces and working out what preparation is actually required before deciding on the coating system.
Preparation can include washing, scraping away loose and failing paint, sanding, filling and repairs, spot priming exposed areas and dealing with deteriorated surfaces before repainting.
Every house is different, which is why we prefer to inspect a weatherboard home before recommending a process or providing an accurate quote.
What Makes Older Weatherboard Homes Different to Paint?
Older weatherboard homes can require considerably more preparation than newer painted surfaces. Over the years, timber can move, coatings can deteriorate and previous repairs or layers of paint can leave an uneven surface.
The condition of the existing paint is particularly important. Loose or failing coatings need to be removed back to a sound edge, exposed timber may require priming, and gaps, cracks or deteriorated sections need to be assessed before repainting begins.
Preparation Matters More Than the Final Coat
A new coat of paint can’t compensate for poor preparation underneath it.
Depending on the condition of the house, preparation may involve washing, scraping, sanding, filling, repairs and priming before the finish coats are applied. Some weatherboard homes need relatively straightforward preparation; others can require substantial work before they’re ready for paint.
This is one of the reasons two similar-sized Hobart homes can have very different painting costs.
Older Homes Need to Be Assessed Properly
Older homes can also present issues that aren’t obvious until they’re inspected closely.
Previous coating systems, deteriorated timber, difficult access and the condition of windows, trims and other exterior timberwork can all affect the scope of the job.
Older painted surfaces may also require additional precautions if hazardous materials such as lead-based paint are suspected. The appropriate preparation method depends on what is actually present and the condition of the existing coatings.
At Performance Painting, we’d rather assess these things before providing a quote than make assumptions from photographs or the size of the house alone.
For more information about how we approach exterior projects, see our Exterior House Painting Hobart service.
What to Look for in a Weatherboard Painter
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Painting an older weatherboard home can involve a substantial amount of preparation, so the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily comparing the same scope of work.
When comparing painters, look closely at what is actually included.
A Clear Preparation Process
The quote should explain how deteriorated and loose paint will be treated, what sanding and filling is included, where primers will be required and how repairs outside the painting scope will be handled.
Preparation is often where the biggest differences between quotes occur.
Experience With Older Homes
Older Hobart homes can have multiple layers of previous coatings, weathered timber, detailed trims and areas that have been repaired many times over the life of the property.
Experience with these types of surfaces helps a painter recognise potential problems before simply covering them with another coat of paint.
Access and Safety
Hobart’s sloping blocks and multi-storey homes can make exterior painting more complicated.
Scaffolding or other access equipment may be required depending on the property. This can affect both the scope and cost of the project, which is why access should be considered during the initial inspection rather than after work begins.
A Detailed Written Quote
A good painting quote should make it reasonably clear what you’re getting for your money.
Look for information about preparation, areas being painted, coating systems and any exclusions or additional work that may be required.
This makes it much easier to compare quotes properly rather than comparing the final numbers alone.
Insurance, Warranty and Reputation
Before choosing a painter, check that they’re appropriately insured, look at examples of previous work and understand what workmanship warranty is being offered.
Performance Painting has been operating in Hobart since 1994. We’re fully insured and our painting work is backed by a 5-year workmanship warranty, provided the coating system is maintained as recommended.
You can also view some of our completed projects or hear directly from our clients before deciding whether we’re the right fit for your home.
Why Preparation Matters on Weatherboard Homes
Preparation is particularly important on weatherboards because the new coating system can only perform as well as the surface underneath it.
On an older Hobart home, we may be dealing with peeling or flaking paint, exposed timber, failed fillers, deteriorated joints and several generations of previous coatings.
Simply painting over those problems doesn’t solve them.
Removing Failing Paint
Loose and failing paint needs to be removed back to a sound surface. Depending on the condition of the existing coatings, this can involve scraping and sanding before other preparation begins.
The aim isn’t necessarily to remove every trace of old paint. It’s to establish a suitable, stable surface for the new coating system.
Repairs, Filling and Priming
Once the surface has been prepared, cracks, gaps and damaged areas can be assessed.
Appropriate fillers and sealants may be used where required, while exposed or previously deteriorated surfaces may need priming before finish coats are applied.
If we uncover timber or building repairs that fall outside the painting scope, we’ll discuss those with the homeowner rather than simply covering the problem with paint.
Windows, Trims and Detailed Timberwork
Weatherboard homes often have much more exterior detail than newer houses.
Windows, fascia, trims, verandahs and decorative timberwork can significantly increase the amount of preparation and painting involved. These areas also tend to be where deterioration becomes noticeable first.
That’s why the condition of the entire exterior needs to be considered when quoting rather than calculating a price from the number of square metres alone.
Hobart Weather and Timing
Exterior painting is also dependent on suitable conditions.
Temperature, moisture, rain and the requirements of the coating system all influence when particular preparation and painting stages can be carried out.
We don’t believe in rushing a coating onto a surface simply to keep to an arbitrary timetable. The conditions need to be suitable for the product and surface being painted.
If you’re considering repainting an older weatherboard home, our Exterior House Painting Hobart page explains more about our exterior painting process.
Looking After Painted Weatherboards
Once a weatherboard home has been properly prepared and painted, some basic maintenance can help identify problems before they become larger repairs.
How quickly an exterior deteriorates depends on many things, including exposure, the condition of the timber and previous coatings, the paint system used and how well the property is maintained.
Check Your Exterior Regularly
Every so often, walk around the house and look for signs that the coating or timber may need attention.
Things worth watching for include:
- peeling, cracking or flaking paint
- exposed timber
- failed gaps or sealants
- mould or staining
- areas where water regularly runs or collects
- deterioration around windows, trims and other timberwork
Finding a small problem early can sometimes prevent a much larger preparation job later.
Pay Attention to Water and Moisture
Water is particularly important around timber homes.
Leaking or overflowing gutters, failed joints and areas where vegetation or garden materials remain against the weatherboards can contribute to deterioration.
Painting can protect properly prepared timber, but it can’t correct an underlying building or moisture problem. Those issues should be addressed rather than simply painted over.
When Is It Time to Repaint?
There isn’t a single repainting timetable that applies to every weatherboard house.
Different elevations of the same home can even deteriorate at different rates depending on exposure and previous condition.
If the coating is beginning to chalk, crack, peel or expose the timber underneath, it’s worth having the exterior assessed rather than waiting until deterioration becomes extensive.
For an indication of what repainting may cost, see our Hobart House Painting Cost Guide. As a general guide, an exterior repaint of an average Hobart weatherboard home can often fall around $13,000–$20,000+, while smaller weatherboard homes may start around $11,000–$15,000+. The condition of the existing paint, preparation required, access and scaffolding can make a significant difference.
Our Experience With Hobart Weatherboard Homes
Performance Painting has been painting homes around Hobart since 1994, and older weatherboard properties have always been a significant part of the work we do.
These projects can range from relatively straightforward repaints through to homes requiring extensive scraping, sanding, filling and repairs before they’re ready for a new coating system.
Our approach is simple: inspect the property properly, explain what we believe needs to be done and prepare the surfaces to the standard required before painting.
We don’t offer a cheaper version of the job by cutting back the preparation. We only paint one way, because the same preparation and painting standards sit behind our 5-year workmanship warranty.
Clear Communication Throughout the Job
Exterior painting can be disruptive, particularly when scaffolding, access equipment or substantial preparation is involved.
We aim to keep homeowners informed about what we’re doing, where we’re working and anything we uncover as the project progresses.
If something outside the original painting scope becomes apparent, we’d rather discuss it with you than simply cover it up and move on.
See What Our Clients Say
Rather than us telling you what it’s like to have Performance Painting work on your home, you can hear it directly from people we’ve painted for.
Watch our client videos and Raging Fans or view some of our completed painting projects.
Thinking About Repainting Your Weatherboard Home?
If your weatherboards are peeling, weathered or simply due for repainting, the best place to start is with an onsite inspection.
We’ll look at the condition of the existing coatings, preparation required, access and the areas you want painted before providing a detailed quote.
Book a free quote and we’ll come out and have a proper look.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do weatherboard houses need repainting in Hobart?
There isn’t a fixed repainting interval that applies to every weatherboard home. Exposure, previous preparation, the coating system, timber condition and maintenance all affect how a painted exterior performs.
Rather than relying on a set number of years, watch for chalking, cracking, peeling, exposed timber or deterioration around joints and trims.
Is it better to paint or replace old weatherboards?
If the existing weatherboards are sound, they can often be prepared and repainted.
Where timber is badly deteriorated or damaged, repairs or replacement may be required before painting. We assess the condition during the initial inspection and discuss any obvious repairs that may fall outside the painting scope.
What about lead paint on older weatherboard homes?
Older painted homes can contain lead-based coatings, but the age of the house alone doesn’t tell us exactly what is present.
If lead paint is suspected, the existing coatings need to be assessed and appropriate precautions and preparation methods used. We don’t assume that every older Hobart home contains lead paint.
How much does it cost to repaint a weatherboard house in Hobart?
The cost depends heavily on the condition of the existing paint and timber, the amount of preparation required, access, scaffolding and the size and complexity of the house.
As a general indication, a small weatherboard exterior may be around $11,000–$15,000+, while an average weatherboard exterior may be around $13,000–$20,000+.
Homes requiring extensive preparation, difficult access or scaffolding can cost more.
See our Hobart House Painting Cost Guide for more information.
What paint do you use on weatherboards?
There isn’t one product that is automatically right for every weatherboard home.
The appropriate primers and finish coats depend on the existing surface, previous coatings, timber condition and the requirements of the coating system. We assess these before recommending the products for the job.
Do weatherboards need sanding before painting?
Sanding is often part of weatherboard preparation, but the amount required depends on the condition of the existing surface.
Preparation may involve washing, scraping, sanding, filling, repairs and priming. The aim is to create a sound surface for the new coating system rather than applying new paint over failing material.
How long does it take to paint a weatherboard house?
It varies considerably.
The size of the house, amount of preparation, access, scaffolding, detailed timberwork and weather conditions can all affect the timeframe. We prefer to assess the property before giving an indication of how long the project is likely to take.
Can you help with colours for an older weatherboard home?
Yes. Colour can make an enormous difference to a weatherboard home, particularly where contrasting colours are used on windows, trims and other architectural details.
Clients who proceed with Performance Painting can also use our complimentary independent colour consultation to help develop a colour scheme for their project.