Manufacturer warranties say one thing; actual performance on a Massachusetts home says another. Here's what we see when we re-visit homes we painted 5, 8, and 10 years ago.
Wood siding (clapboard, cedar)
Properly prepped and painted wood lasts 8–12 years between repaints in Metro West. Sun exposure is the biggest variable — a home with mature tree cover gets 12+, a south-facing wall fully exposed sees fade by year 7.
Vinyl siding
Paint on vinyl holds 10–15+ years if the siding was washed and a bonding primer was used. The color retention of modern acrylic paints outperforms the original vinyl color in many cases.
Composite / fiber cement (Hardie and similar)
Also in the 10–15 year range when the factory primer was clean and the field coat was applied correctly. The substrate itself is 50+ year — paint is the limiting factor.
What stretches or shortens the life
Stretches it: premium paint, meticulous prep, landscaping pulled back so siding stays dry, gutters that actually work, roof overhangs that shade upper elevations.
Shortens it: skipped caulk replacement, cheap primer, paint applied on damp wood, sprinklers hitting the siding daily.
Plan for the repaint
Inspect exteriors annually starting at year 6 for wood, year 8 for vinyl/composite. Catching peel early and spot-fixing during the off-season extends the next full-repaint date meaningfully.