Weatherboards are common on Melbourne homes, and they are the surface where preparation matters most, because timber moves with the weather and old paint layers can hide problems. This guide covers what to check before you start, and when it is worth calling a painter.
How often should you paint weatherboards?
Most weatherboard homes need an exterior repaint every 7 to 10 years, depending on how much sun and rain each side of the house gets, the colour, and how well the last job was prepared. If you are repainting before selling, our Surrey Hills painters page covers painting before you sell.
North and west facing walls usually wear first, because they take the most sun. If you are seeing the early signs of wear on one side of the house, our Burwood painters page explains the signs a house needs repainting.
Can you paint over old paint on weatherboards?
Yes, if the old paint is sound. Loose and flaking paint has to be scraped back first, the edges sanded smooth, and any bare timber primed, or the new paint will lift with the old.
Age matters too. The Australian Government’s lead paint guide, Lead Alert: Six Steps to Safe Renovating, names weatherboards among the surfaces where white lead paint was used on older homes, and advises against dry sanding old paint. If your home was built before 1970, read our page on lead paint in older Balwyn homes before anyone starts sanding.
What is the best paint for weatherboards?
The best paint for weatherboards is a quality exterior acrylic system, applied over a primer on any bare timber. Acrylic paint stays flexible as the boards expand and contract with the weather, which helps it resist cracking.
On weatherboard exteriors we use the Haymes Solarshield system. Bare or newly exposed timber is primed first, and cut ends and end grain are sealed, because end grain soaks up moisture fastest. See how we approach a full exterior on our exterior painting in Melbourne page.
Why does colour choice matter on weatherboards?
Dark colours absorb more heat from the sun, and on timber that extra heat can damage the boards. BRANZ, New Zealand’s building research body, advises that dark colours increase the risk of board damage, and recommends choosing colours with a light reflectance value (LRV) of 45% or more for the best performance.
LRV is printed on most colour charts and data sheets. It measures how much light a colour reflects, from 0 for black to 100 for pure white. You can still use darker colours on trim, doors and accents, where the area of timber is small.
Should weatherboards be painted when they are damp?
No. Weatherboards should only be painted when they are dry. Timber holds moisture after rain, and paint applied over damp boards can blister or peel as the moisture tries to escape.
BRANZ also notes that factory priming on pine weatherboards does not weatherproof them, so primed boards still need their topcoats. In Melbourne, that usually means planning exterior work around the weather and allowing drying time after rain.
What does a weatherboard repaint involve?
A professional weatherboard repaint usually follows the same order every time:
- Wash the walls to remove dirt, dust and any mould.
- Scrape back loose and flaking paint, and sand the edges smooth.
- Check for soft, split or rotten boards, and replace or repair them.
- Fill gaps and nail holes, and seal cut ends and end grain.
- Prime any bare timber.
- Apply the topcoats in the chosen colour scheme, with trim and fascias last.
Should you paint weatherboards yourself or hire a painter?
A small, single-storey wall in good condition can be a manageable weekend job. A whole house is different. Second storeys, gables and eaves mean working at height, old paint may contain lead, and the preparation takes far longer than the painting itself.
If you are unsure whether old paint contains lead, have it tested before any sanding or scraping starts. The Australian Government’s Lead Alert guide explains how. If the boards need repairs before painting, it is worth getting a professional to look first. Steve quotes every Hillcrest job himself, and the written quote sets out exactly what preparation is included.
How do you make weatherboards look better?
Good preparation does most of the work. Washing off dirt and mould, filling gaps and splits, replacing any boards that are soft or rotten, and priming bare timber all make the finished paint look sharper and last longer. If your weatherboards sit under big trees, our Blackburn painters page covers shaded walls and mould.
The colour scheme matters too. A lighter main colour with a contrasting trim on fascias, window frames and corner boards gives a weatherboard house a crisp, finished look. Colour consultation is included with every Hillcrest job, and Australian painting practice for buildings is set out in the joint standard AS/NZS 2311, Guide to the painting of buildings.
Frequently asked questions
What is LRV and why does it matter for weatherboards?
LRV, or light reflectance value, measures how much light a colour reflects, from 0 for black to 100 for white. BRANZ recommends an LRV of 45% or more on timber weatherboards, because darker colours absorb more heat and increase the risk of board damage.
Do pre-primed weatherboards still need painting?
Yes. BRANZ notes that factory priming on pine weatherboards does not weatherproof them, so they still need a full topcoat system once installed.
Is it safe to sand old weatherboards?
Not without checking first. The Australian Government’s Lead Alert guide names weatherboards among the surfaces where white lead paint was used, and advises against dry sanding old paint. Have homes built before 1970 tested before sanding.
If your weatherboards are due for a repaint, Steve quotes every job himself. Call 0419 581 575 for a free written quote.