Want to keep your house looking warm and welcoming? If so, adding a new coat of exterior house paint can go a long way. Whether you're working with a contractor or doing your own painting, it is important to get beyond the advertising and marketing gimmicks. You'll have numerous types and shades of paint to choose from, and some paints may not work as well given your region or painting surfaces. However, understanding the characteristics that separate great exterior paint from good exterior paint will help you find the best product. The coating should match a number of factors including the design of the house, the prevailing climate in the area and the desired look. Read on to find more information that can help you when buying exterior paint for your home.
According to experts, when buying exterior house paint, spending more on buying top-quality paint will help in saving money in the long run. Premium paint is known to last longer than cheaper paint eliminating the need to repaint your house frequently. Moreover, while about two coats of quality paint will be enough, it will require more coats of cheap paint to achieve the same coverage. Experts also advise homeowners to call a qualified and experienced professional to guide them through the process of buying paint.
When painting the exterior of the house, there are a number of factors that one should be mindful of. For instance, family changes may necessitate variations in the exterior paint of the home. It is important that all family members, as well as guests, feel at home whenever they are in the compound. Similarly, future projects in the home can influence the choice of exterior paint. Future plans to remodel the home or add outdoor furniture should be borne in mind when buying exterior house paint.
The multiple chemicals found in paint are designed to make it glide smoothly over walls and harden within a short time on exposure to air. As such, paint can contain toxins that could pose health risks when one inhales air containing some of the chemical compounds. When buying exterior house paint, it is recommended that a check on the safety of the paint be conducted.
In the past, one could not paint in the event that temperatures were expected to fall below 50 degrees. Today, however, a good number of exterior paints are made with technology that allows for painting when the surface and air temperatures are either 35 degrees or above. Similarly, in case there were chances of showers and you postponed the application of paint, it will be a missed opportunity if it doesn’t rain. Likewise, ignoring weather forecast can see your paint washed away by heavy showers. When looking for exterior house paint, it is best to choose paints that offer more control over weather.
There are three main categories of sheen to fit a variety of needs. Flat paints although they attract more dirt, are ideal for hiding imperfections on a surface. Satin and eggshells strike a balance between having the right amount of shine to make them washable and protecting people from a blinding glare. The semi-gloss, gloss and high-gloss sheen are harder, more durable and less permeable to moisture.
When buying exterior house paint, durability means how well the paint will withstand nature’s elements. One of the best guides to determining the durability of paints is to look at the number of years that the manufacturer’s warranty stands by the product. In addition, a look at reviews posted by previous buyers can help in comparing the durability of different paint products.
Direct sunlight can greatly affect the quality and gloss of paint by degrading the pigment of the paint. This causes the paint to chalk and lose some measure of color. However, low quality paints will lose their gloss much faster than better grades of paint. In this regard, it is best to be safe with mid-grade paint that is 100% acrylic.
One-coat coverage of paint can help in reducing the amount of time spent painting as well as the related labor costs. However, it is important that the paint is applied at the proper thickness and in the right situation so as to get an appealing look and durable film.