Repainting the exterior of your home can be a tedious project. But following the proper steps can help ensure a successful paint job.
Different paints are formulated for different purposes. Interior paint is made to allow cleaning and resist staining. While exterior paint is formulated to handle mildew and fading.
Preparation
In addition to having the right paint, top painting contractors spend ample time preparing the surfaces they’re going to be working on. This includes cleaning, sanding, scraping and other surface preparation that ensures the surface is ready for new paint.
This is particularly important with exterior painting, as many of the newer alkyd paint formulations are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, resist fading and provide a protective layer for the home’s surfaces. This is done by regulating the way in which the paint oxidizes and sheds — this means that it will only shed in a controlled manner rather than staining adjacent areas of the property.
Additionally, the sanding and scraping that is part of exterior paint prep provides the ideal opportunity to make any necessary repairs. This can include addressing issues such as wood rot, loose nails or screws and any other damage that might have occurred in the course of the home’s lifetime.
Application
Interior and Exterior painting are formulated for different surfaces, so they can’t be used interchangeably. Interior paint has to be scrubbable for cleaning purposes and must withstand humidity and temperature changes, while outdoor paint needs to be tough enough to resist the elements like rain and direct sunlight.
The resins used in the two types of paint differ, too. Exterior paint uses tougher resins that can withstand more turbulent weather conditions, such as freezing temperatures and heavy rainfall. This allows the paint to bind with the pigments better and resist chipping and peeling.
Also, outdoor paint usually contains additives that help it withstand harsh sun exposure. For this reason, the coating may have to be reapplied more frequently. In addition, some outdoor paints have high VOC levels (volatile organic compounds) that will outgas into the air, posing a health risk for indoor residents. In contrast, many interior paints contain low or no VOC levels. This helps reduce odors and other harmful fumes when they dry.
Finishing
It's a good idea to have a top coat applied to your interior painting project to keep it looking beautiful and protected. Latex or milk paints are ideal as they don't contain fungicides and are low in VOCs.
When it comes to exterior paint, additives are included to help the finish withstand the elements and resist fading. These additives include rust inhibitors and mildew preservatives.
Since interior paint isn't meant to be exposed to harsh elements outside, it doesn't need any of these additives. Instead, most indoor paints are designed to have low levels of VOCs and some, such as Real Milk Paint, don't have any at all. This makes it easy to use them in rooms where you want a fresh look without worrying about any harmful chemicals invading your home.
Maintenance
Whether you have a hotel or an office building, regular maintenance is critical to your success. That includes painting. Paint protects the walls of your building and provides a clean, fresh look. It also helps prevent rusting, wood rot, and weathering, as well as helping with temperature control.
It is important to understand that interior and exterior paints are not the same. They have different purposes and chemical makeups that make them specially formulated for one or the other.
Interior paints are designed to be easier to clean and create a specific ambiance for a room. They also have a shorter shelf life than exterior paint, meaning that you will likely need to repaint your rooms more often.
It is also important to remember that exterior paint cannot be used indoors. Using exterior paint in your home exposes you to harmful chemicals and fumes that can be damaging to your health, especially in an enclosed space. These chemicals can include fungicides, mildewcides, and VOCs that hang in the air for weeks or months after painting.
