Learning Center · Painting
House Painting in Texas: The Homeowner’s Guides
Nineteen guides on painting a Texas home, written for homeowners and sourced to the paint makers, federal research and Texas law. Start with the question you have, or read them in order.
Updated October 11, 2026
Read This First
The short version
- Texas sun and heat are what wear exterior paint out, so the sunny walls set the repaint date.
- Prep decides how long paint lasts, and a good estimate names every prep step, product and coat.
- Homes built before 1978 fall under an EPA lead rule for paid painting work.
- Painting is on the permit exempt list in the Texas cities we checked, but HOAs and some repairs have their own rules.
When you are ready to talk about your house, start with Get Help or call or text 512-575-5052.
Short version: 2 min. Full page: 5 min. Want the detail? Each section below opens with a tap, or switch to Full at the top to open them all.
Outside the House
Exterior painting guides
Most exterior paint fails on the walls that face the sun. Start with how long exterior paint lasts, then read the guide for your siding. If hail hit the house, our storm and insurance guides come first. When you are ready for work, our exterior painting page explains what we do.
Eight guides on exterior paint: how long it lasts, when to paint, prep and each kind of siding.
How Long Does Exterior Paint Last in Texas?
USDA testing puts paint on wood siding at 10 to 20 years, and a primer with only one topcoat lasts about half as long.
The Best Time to Paint a House Exterior in Texas
Spring and fall give the widest painting windows in Texas, and summer work belongs in the morning shade.
Exterior Paint Prep: What a Good Job Includes
Prep decides how long exterior paint lasts, and it is the part cheap bids cut first.
Painting Fiber Cement and Hardie Siding in Texas
James Hardie says factory primed boards must be painted within 180 days of installation.
Painting Stucco, Brick and Masonry in Texas
Stucco and masonry use coatings built for them, applied far thicker than house paint.
Painting Vinyl Siding in Texas Heat
Vinyl siding can be painted, as long as the color does not make it too hot.
Fence and Deck Staining in Texas
USDA research lists 6 to 15 years for a solid color stain on wood siding, and less on surfaces people walk on.
Hail Damage to Paint and Siding in Texas
Texas led the nation in NOAA hail reports in both 2024 and 2025.
Inside the House
Interior painting guides
Inside, the wall under the paint decides the finish. Begin with the interior painting guide for the steps and costs, and see our interior painting service when you want it done.
Six guides on interior work: sheens, the steps, drywall, popcorn ceilings, cabinets and wallpaper.
Paint Sheens Explained, From Flat to Gloss
Sheen runs from flat, with almost no shine, through matte, eggshell, satin and semi-gloss to gloss.
Interior Painting: A Guide for Texas Homeowners
A full interior job covers protection, patching, sanding, priming stains, then two coats.
Drywall Finish Levels and Texture, Explained
The drywall industry defines finish levels, and Level 4 and Level 5 are the two that matter for paint.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal in Texas
EPA lists textured paint on walls and ceilings among the places asbestos may be found.
Painting Kitchen Cabinets the Right Way
Cabinets are cleaned, sanded and primed before any color goes on, because grease and gloss block adhesion.
Wallpaper Removal Before Painting
The painting industry standard says all wallcovering adhesive must be removed before new finishes go on.
Before You Hire
Products, estimates and cost
Compare scopes before totals. These three guides show what a complete bid names and what the work costs. When you want a price for your own house, our painting services page is the next step.
Three guides to compare paint lines, read an estimate and plan a budget with our own ranges.
Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore, Side by Side
Both brands make good lines at several levels, and the line matters more than the brand name.
How to Read and Compare a Painting Estimate
A complete painting estimate names every surface, the prep steps, the product line and sheen, and the number of coats.
What House Painting Costs in Texas
Exterior painting plans at $3.57 to $4.79 per square foot of wall surface.
Law and Safety
Lead, permits and the rules
A few rules apply to almost every job. If your home was built before 1978, read the lead paint guide before anyone scrapes or sands. Roof work has its own permit rules, covered in our roof permits and codes guide.
Two guides on the EPA lead rule for older homes and on permits, HOAs, tax and paint disposal.
Lead Paint and Painting in Older Texas Homes
EPA, not the state, runs the federal lead renovation rule for painting work in Texas.
Painting Rules in Texas: Permits, HOAs, Tax and Disposal
The building code most Texas cities adopt exempts painting from permits, including Round Rock, Georgetown, Austin, Dallas and Houston.
Our Painting Division
What our painting division does
We paint interiors and exteriors, stain wood and coat floors, with Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore.
Exterior and interior painting
We do painting. Our painting division paints siding, trim, fascia and doors outside, and walls, ceilings, trim, doors and cabinets inside, with Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore paints. Every bid names the product line, sheen and coats in writing.
Wood, fences and floors
We stain and seal fences, decks and exterior wood through our wood staining service, and coat garage floors through coatings and epoxy floors.
Common Questions
Painting questions, answered
How often should a house be painted in Texas?
USDA research puts paint on wood siding at 10 to 20 years, but the sunny south and west walls in Texas often show wear much sooner. Repaint when you see heavy chalking, cracking, peeling or open caulk joints.
What is the best time of year to paint a house in Texas?
Spring and fall give the most days inside the paint makers’ temperature ranges. Summer painting works if the crew follows the shade and avoids hot, sunny walls.
How much does it cost to paint a house in Texas?
Our painting cost guide lists every planning range with worked examples. A walkthrough sets the real price in writing.
Does The Roof Shepherd do painting?
Yes. We do painting through our own painting division, inside and out, plus wood staining and floor coatings, with Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore paints. We are based in Round Rock and work anywhere in Texas.
Do I need a permit to paint my house?
Generally no. The residential building code most Texas cities adopt exempts painting from permits. HOAs and some repairs have their own rules.
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