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The exterior of your home lets you make an impression and be the envy of the neighbourhood. One way to improve it and boost curb appeal is to select the right type of house paint. However, choosing this can be tricky since you have to go over certain variables. For example, you need to ensure that it reflects your desired colour and texture. It also has to withstand damage from moisture and sunlight. To make an informed decision when deciding which paint product to buy, use this article as your guide.
What Are the Types of Exterior House Paint?
Whether you are building your house from scratch or doing a major home renovation project, applying a fresh coat of paint can transform your home into a new look. Here are several types of exterior house paint to choose from:
– Water-Based
Latex, or water based-paint, has the advantage of drying quickly. Cleaning it up is also hassle-free because it requires only soap and water. You can also save time and money because you don’t have to paint as often as it contracts in cooler temperatures and expands in warmer temperatures. If you must apply latex over oil-based paint, make sure to perform the right surface preparation.
– Solvent-Based
Oil-based paint can withstand various elements and creates a strong finish, making it ideal for exterior doors and metal railings. However, It dries to a smooth surface and takes 24 hours to cure. Although it dries more slowly than latex, it cleans up well using paint thinner or turpentine.
– Paint Finishes
Exterior paint comes in different types of paint finish or sheen, which refers to the degree of light reflection of paint. If you want a more stain-resistant finish, opt for paint with less sheen.
What Should You Look For in an Exterior Paint?
Not all exterior paint is created equal since each one has different characteristics. Because of this, you should consider the following factors to choose the right paint for your project:
– Chalking Resistance
Chalking takes place when the paint’s binder slowly degrades over time, which results in a white chalky powder forming on the surface and lightening the colour of the paint. Fortunately, this can be prevented by using chalk-resistant paint. Make sure that you buy this type of paint by looking for one with a high content of quality resins or asking your renovation contractor to use this paint.
– Hiding Power
Exterior paint with an excellent hiding power has the ability to sufficiently conceal the surface where it is applied. It contains a paint pigment that can easily cover old paint jobs and imperfections. This characteristic is affected by the thickness and the way the paint is applied, which is why it’s important to get painting experts to perform your paint job.
– Blister Resistance
Exterior paint is expected to be constantly exposed to moisture. Unfortunately, some paint can develop an unwanted blistering problem due to excessive moisture. This can also happen when the paint is applied over a damp surface.
Save yourself from the hassle of dealing with such an issue by buying paint with high blister resistance. This will prevent water from penetrating the substrate and affecting the paint layer.
Conclusion
Selecting the right exterior paint for your home is important because this shows off your own sense of taste and gives your house character. It can be overwhelming given the many options to choose from. Thankfully, you now have a better idea of which characteristics to look for and the type that suits your needs and preferences. If you are now ready to get started with your exterior home paint project, leave this tedious task to professionals.
Give your home a simply outstanding makeover by hiring our home renovation contractors. At A.C.T Home Services, our team of experts is committed to providing exceptional finished projects and faster completion times. Other services we offer in Red Deer and central Alberta are professional roofing, siding, gutters, and interior renovations. Request a consultation today!