Painting your commercial building is one of the best ways to spruce it up without spending a lot of money. You can give your business a fresh new look that will boost your curb appeal and encourage potential customers to step inside. 

However, paint does fade over time, and dull, chipped paint isn’t exactly inviting. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent your paint from fading.

Find out more about commercial painting Orlando

Why Does Paint Fade?

Paint does fade. You might not even notice it until you look behind that shrub or that cabinet and notice the color difference. That’s because paint generally fades uniformly over time, but what exactly causes this fading?

Basically, the pigments in your paint can react to sunlight or chemicals in the environment, like oxygen or ozone. This causes them to change their structure and, therefore, their color. This happens because of the UV rays in the sunlight, but not all colors fade in the same way.

Darker colors may fade more quickly in sunlight since they absorb more heat. On the other hand, lighter colors like yellow, orange, and red, tend to be more susceptible to fading in general. This is why you do need to make sure you’ve bought paint specifically for exterior use, and that you shouldn’t overdo the paint—too many layers of paint can also cause fading.

Beyond natural factors, paint can fade if it isn’t applied correctly. For example, if you don’t prime the wall before painting, the old color might bleed through and cause the walls to appear dull. You might also not be painting evenly if you’re doing it yourself, which may cause your paint to fade more quickly and more noticeably in some places.

What Steps Do We Take To Prevent Paint From Fading Over Time?

You can’t account for every factor that makes your paint fade. Just sunlight can make your paint fade, and of course, weather conditions might expose your paint to lots of humidity, dryness, or rainfall that impacts your coloring.

Quality

You can still do a few things to prevent your paint from fading. That includes beginning with good quality exterior paint that is more fade-resistant. While you might be tempted to choose paint that’s cheaper yet lower quality, you’ll be better off picking something high-quality.

Sheen

You’ll also want to choose something with a reflective sheen. Reflective paint generally reflects light, which helps the color of the paint last longer outside. 

Of course, the actual color of the paint matters too. Neutral colors are better for outside, and if you want something brighter, maybe use it for accents like the door. At the very least, it will be much easier to repaint your door when that starts to fade rather than your entire building.

Technique

Now, you shouldn’t overdo it on the painting, but if you apply the paint evenly and well, multiple coats can actually be a good thing. When done right, more coats will reinforce the previous coat and make the color look even better for even longer. You do need to make sure to paint evenly, though, which will go a long way.

Conclusion

You want the paint on your business to stay in good condition for as long as possible. While you can’t control the sunlight or the weather, you can control what type of paint you use and its application. To save yourself the hassle, entrust your commercial painting to us. 

As painting experts, we know the right techniques and can advise you on the correct paint. With our knowledge and expertise, you can be confident that your paint will stay in good condition and remain fresh and inviting for a longer time.

Exterior painting is challenging work that requires many hours of focus, laborious preparation, or even sanding down surfaces for better paint application. It certainly requires good skill sets, training, and techniques for a job well done, so you won’t face other issues such as peeling or cracking paint. 

If you’re thinking about tackling your home’s exterior painting by yourself, keep reading to find out about the benefits of hiring professional Orlando exterior painters instead.

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Exterior Painter in Orlando

Minimize Risks

Painting requires working at heights, which comes with the increased risk of falling. Professional painters know how to protect themselves against falls or other accidents while painting on ladders or scaffolding. 

Experienced exterior house painters use proper safety equipment such as harnesses for high areas. After all, it’s not an easy feat working at such a height while maintaining balance and working with paint brushes simultaneously.

With proper training and years of experience, professional painters know how to prepare surfaces for painting and which techniques or chemicals are most suitable. This helps prevent damages such as peeling and discoloration of the paint.

Affordability

It might sound counterintuitive, but you could save more money hiring a professional painter instead of attempting a DIY paint job. 

The fact is, a quality paint job will last much longer than one done by an amateur and will require fewer touch-ups in the future. This can help reduce costs over time rather than hiring a professional every few years when colors fade or the paint wears thin from weather damage.

Bear in mind that painting by yourself also means you’d have to purchase the tools and paint. Without the proper knowledge, you could buy the wrong ones, leading to more expenses.

Save Time

Many homeowners who attempt a DIY paint job don’t realize how much time and dedication a proper paint job can take. Painting requires many hours of hard work, focus, and preparation, which can take days for larger homes. This includes cleaning the walls before painting and sanding down surfaces that may be rough or chipped away in some areas.

A professional exterior house painter has the proper equipment to get their job done quickly without compromising on quality. Homeowners save so much time with a professional team doing the work and getting it done well the first time.

Minimal Stress

Painting the exterior of your home is not an easy task. It’s no secret that exterior painting can cause a lot of stress, both physically and mentally. Working out in the hot sun, worrying about the weather, working from a height and pushing ahead for days on end in spite of neck or back strain from painting are just some of the factors you’d have to face. 

This is why hiring a professional service may be one of the best decisions you make when painting your home exterior. Leave the stress and hassle to the experts instead!

Conclusion

Hiring a professional exterior house painter helps in so many ways, from relieving your stress, doing the job in less time but with better quality, and minimizing any risks and dangers to yourself. 

When it comes to exterior painting, there’s a lot more laborious work and preparation involved compared to interior painting. So call us today and let our expert painters get the job done, so you can sit back and let us do the challenging work.

All paints are made up of similar core ingredients such as pigments, solvents, resins, and additives. If you’ve watched painters in Orlando at work and wondered whether interior and exterior grade paints are actually different, the answer is yes. 

Interior paint has pigments that tend to fade quicker, while exterior paints contain significantly more pigments. Interior paint is also more resistant to staining and is made so that you can clean it easily. In contrast, exterior paint is formulated to handle weather elements better. 

Their main difference lies in the number of additives they have and the resin used. Keep reading to understand more about the difference between both types of paint.

Differences Between Interior and Exterior Grade Paint

Exterior Paint

For your home exterior, the weather and elements of nature are the biggest threats. As a result, exterior paint will have to be resistant to both moisture and temperature changes. Whether it’s freezing snow or harsh UV radiation from sunlight, exterior paint has to stand up to such conditions. 

There are also issues of fading, mildew, and even fungal growth when it comes to exterior surfaces. The longer the paint is under sunlight, the more likely there will be fading. Exterior paint is therefore created to be more durable to avoid chipping and flaking.

The resin used for exterior paints is generally soft, which allows the paint to be more flexible. As such, it will be able to handle moisture and temperature changes more competently. It also helps to prevent extensive cracking due to constant expansion and contraction. 

Exterior paint will require sunlight to cure, and will also release more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) both during and after the process. This is due to the additional resins and additives that are added to its composition, which can cause outgassing. This makes it unsafe for indoor use. The mildewcides and fungicides components may also cause allergies.

Interior Paint

Unlike exterior paint, interior paint is more often used for decoration and to improve the aesthetics of the home. In addition, we can expect a certain level of dampness prevention, suitability for washing and cleaning, as well as easier maintenance. 

However, it is expectedly not as durable and waterproof as exterior paint. Any direct impact is also more likely to cause chipping, in comparison to exterior paint.

To help consumers with cleaning, the formulation of interior paint allows it to withstand abrasion, so you can wash or scrub away any stains or marks more easily. 

With less possibility of facing extensive UV radiation, interior paint does not usually possess fade-resisting properties. It also does not require sunlight to cure. 

Formulated safely to be used around people, interior paint contains low or even zero VOCs, which is always great for air quality in a home. You should still ventilate the area adequately when you’re painting.

Conclusion

Using the right tool for the right job will ensure that you get the best results. If you’ve ever wondered if you could use exterior paint indoors or interior paint outdoors, you’ve got the answer now. They’re both formulated differently, and it’s essential that you pick the right type of paint for the desired final effect. 

While many homeowners take special care of their lawn and driveway, many often forget how their paint job can help bring their home’s exterior appearance together.

Ensuring that your paint is in good condition and that any peeling areas are taken care of is a vital part of looking after your home. If you’re wondering how often you should call Orlando painters to repaint your home, keep reading.

Repainting A Home – How Often Should You Be Doing It?

Depending on the situation, the period between repaints can differ from four to six years, or up to 10 years sometimes. With the costs involved, repainting is a task that needs to be considered carefully.

Here are some factors that can affect how often you should repaint your home:

Choice of Paint

Most homes will require painting at the initial stages, and the kind of paint chosen is key to how long it can last. Going for premium, water-proof paint will make a world of difference in the long run. Otherwise, you could be paying for repainting more eventually. 

Materials

Paying attention to what materials are used in your home’s construction can also affect the longevity of your paint. In general, most exterior walls are made of wood, aluminum, brick, concrete, and stucco.

Paint on wood will last longer in more temperate climates, whereas tropical climates will likely lead to the need to repaint every three years or so. However, both stucco and aluminum can last longer, and you probably only need to consider a repaint every five to six years.

Paint on cement will last a significantly longer time, with a range of 10 to 15 years. The clear winner is brick-when painted; homeowners can expect it to last for a good 15 to 20 years if done correctly.

Quality Shines

In addition to all the above factors, you need to look at the actual painting itself. If the professionals you hired have handled the painting well, you have less to worry about. However, if you are painting by yourself, you need to keep on top of things from start to finish.

This includes getting rid of all the old paint on the house, ensuring there are no leaks and the right tools for the job. This is one of those tasks that are better left to the experts. 

General Maintenance

If you look out for signs like rot, dampness, or insect infestations on your house exterior, don’t delay in resolving these issues. When you look after your house exterior and keep up with general maintenance, you’ll help to prolong the paint’s longevity. Washing moss and dirt off your house also helps; don’t let them linger on the surface as they will slowly erode the paint.

Visual Checks

So when do you know precisely when a repaint is in order? Signs such as faded or peeling paint are the first apparent indicators that some maintenance work is needed. This is also a great time to check for holes or potential leaks that could cause more damage. 

Conclusion

Ultimately, repainting is part and parcel of owning a house. How often you need to do it can come down to factors like regular maintenance, the weather, and more. Be sure to keep your paintwork well maintained before more severe problems develop. If you need some advice about whether your home is due for a repaint, call us and we’ll be glad to help you.

Deciding on the paint color of your home is more than just about aesthetics. When it’s time to let your exterior house painters know about your paint color preferences, you might be confused and not know where to start. In fact, you might be surprised to know that your house exterior color can actually affect the indoor temperature. 

Understanding this effect can help you make an informed decision regarding the color you choose, depending on whether you want to help your house absorb or reflect the sun’s heat. 

Can the Color of My Home Have an Effect on the Temperature Inside?

No matter where you live, the color of your house can affect the temperature inside. Whether you have air conditioning or not, the exterior color of your home does directly affect the heat absorption of your home.

While there is no exact percentage or statistic on how much color affects your home’s temperature, the link between both is there. So when it comes to painting the exterior of your home, you certainly shouldn’t forget about the effects of your chosen color. 

It’s not just the exterior colors can affect your home’s temperature. Even interior colors can affect how hot or cool your home gets. 

Does Dark Color Make My Home Hotter?

Just like with clothing, darker colors absorb more heat than lighter colors. This is true for all things, even paint. With good enough insulation and siding, the dark colors won’t bring too much extra heat into your home. If you don’t insulate your home well enough, though, it could raise the inside temperature.

If you paint your house a lighter color, you’ll reflect most of the heat away from the house. While dark colors can absorb anywhere between 70% to 90% of the sun’s energy, lighter colors will reflect most of it.

What Color Should I Paint My Home?

When you’re painting your home, you should consider your climate. For those that live in a tropical or hot climate, painting your house a dark color could be a costly mistake. In addition, the extra heat your home absorbs will increase your air conditioning bill and make it more challenging to stay cool.

For those who live in the far north or colder areas, painting your house a dark color may save you a bit of energy. During blisteringly cold winters, the dark exterior of your home can draw in whatever heat possible and help keep your home warmer. However, if the summers are hot, such as in the midwest, this might not be a sacrifice worth making.

If you want to paint your home a dark color, you should weigh the pros and cons. Living in an area that stays relatively the same temperature year-round can make this easier. However, those who live in areas that get very hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter may find it more difficult to choose.

How Should I Choose My Home Color?

As mentioned, you should consider the climate where you live. This will play a heavy part in how much heat is absorbed by your home. If you still can’t choose, there are a few other things to consider too.

You should consider your style and color preferences. If you really don’t like the color of lighter homes, then don’t paint your home a lighter color. Your home should be something you enjoy, and if you paint it in a way that you don’t like, you won’t enjoy it as much. 

Additionally, the color of your home’s interior should match the same style as the exterior. You wouldn’t want to paint the exterior of your home white but have all dark colors painted on the inside of your home.

Conclusion

All in all, keep in mind how color will affect the temperature of your home. While it may not change the temperature inside by an extreme 20 degrees, it will still have an effect nonetheless. You can save a little on your electric bill each month by taking every chance you have to limit how much heat is drawn into your home.

Without a doubt, an exterior painting project is more difficult to plan than an interior one. Interior projects can be done in a controlled environment but exterior projects are more weather dependent. It’s difficult to do a good job of painting your house’s exterior in the rain or even in extreme heat.

When it comes time to paint the exterior of your house, you might be wondering what the best season is. In most places, winter is too cold and snowy so summer is often regarded as the better season. In other places though, summer is too hot and winter is a better time. Keep reading if you’re wondering when the best time to paint the exterior of your house is when you’re looking to hire exterior painters in Orlando.

Best Weather to Paint In

Paint is affected by the weather. The temperature and humidity influence how the paint dries and can change how well the paint job turns out. In order to have the best results, you’ll need certain weather conditions and temperatures. 

What to Keep in Mind

Warm, dry days are the best for completing an exterior paint job. You’ll also want good weather a few days before and after you paint. Rain or humidity before you paint can delay the job as the siding will need to dry out first. While the paint is curing, rain can damage it.

Temperature fluctuations are also an important factor. Large temperature fluctuations will make the paint react in a way that prevents it from curing properly. While it may be the ideal temperature during the day, if the temperatures drop drastically overnight, your paint may be ruined.

What Time of Year is Best for an Exterior Painting?

Depending on where you live in the country, the seasons may look drastically different or stay relatively the same. We’ll go through some general tips but you’ll need to keep in mind your region’s unique seasons.

During autumn, temperatures may not vary as much. Early in the season, day temperatures and night temperatures stay relatively the same. You won’t have either extreme as the season begins to change. However, the temperature may quickly drop so you’ll need to keep an eye on the predicted weather. 

In southern states, winter might be the best time. Many paint manufacturers will post a minimum required temperature so as long as your weather meets it, you can continue to paint outdoors. Generally, it is better to paint in temperatures that are no lower than 50 degrees.

Here in Florida, late Winter, Autumn, and early Spring are often ideal. This is because there is lower humidity with just the right temperature and calmer winds.

That being said, professional painters in Florida like us do paint house exteriors in summer too as we have the experience to use professional techniques that allow us to still produce great results. 

It can be difficult to know when the best season is as each state is different. To help you choose the best time, here is what we recommend. 

1. Wait for Warm Weather

Avoid painting in extremely cold or hot weather. Instead, wait until it’s nice and warm out during both daytime and nighttime. As long as night temperatures are still above your paint’s minimum temperature, it’s safe to apply it during the warmer days.

2. Avoid the Rain

Rain is particularly bothersome when it comes to painting your home’s exterior. When you pick a date to paint on, it’s important to make sure there isn’t rain a few days before or a few days after. 

If it rains right before you paint, you’ll have to wait for your siding to dry out again which can delay your entire project. It’s best to avoid the rainy season entirely and just wait for dry weather.

3. Get Good Quality Paint

Regardless of the weather, using good paint should be your top priority. Poor quality paint will be even more sensitive to bad weather and can result in your exterior needing another paint job sooner than necessary. To do the job well, invest in high-quality paint that will withstand the elements and still look good over time.

Conclusion

The season you decide to paint will depend on where you live and the weather patterns. Ultimately, the specific time of the year doesn’t matter as much as the quality of the paint used and the knowledge of the painters you hire. 

As professional painters here in Orlando for the last 21 years, we are familiar with the seasons here and know how to work around unpredictable weather. We have the right experience and expertise with Florida weather and houses to deliver successful and high-quality exterior house painting, no matter what season it is.

While the structure of a commercial building is obviously important, its aesthetics is also crucial. One way to really make a commercial building stand out is with the right paint finish. Interestingly, there is more that goes into determining the right finish than simply deciding on the Orlando commercial painting service you hire or the color of the paint. 

What Paint Finish is Right for Your Commercial Building?

Type of Finish

When choosing a finish for your commercial building, you would find that there are different types of finishes that differ in how much light they reflect.

For example, there are three major types to choose from: satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss. To decide which one is right for you, you’d have to understand the key differences among the three. 

For one, a satin finish falls between matte and gloss. It is an incredibly popular type of finish that is relatively durable and fairly easy to clean. However, this finish is not appropriate for buildings or spaces that require regular heavy cleaning and scrubbing because this type of finish might not be able to hold up for long. 

A semi-gloss finish would have a more reflective surface compared to the satin finish, while still being relatively subtle. It holds up better with cleaning and washing, compared to the satin finish. It is a good choice for a durable finish without being too glossy. 

Lastly, a high gloss finish should be considered for areas that would be subject to heavy wear and tear. This finish is the most durable as it is stain-resistant and resistant to heavy washing and scrubbing. 

Psychology

Another thing to consider for the finish of your commercial building is the color. If you want your building to stand out, there are some things to consider when choosing your color. 

For example, did you know color can affect the psychology of people? There are certain colors that have been proven to have an effect on people’s state of mind and emotions. 

The glossiness of the finish can have the same effect as well. This strategy is being used all around you and you might not have even realized it. This is why restaurants would typically use matte and satin finishes, because they would like their dishes to be the main draw of the experience. 

In contrast, you may have noticed that auto dealerships would have a lot of reflective and glossy design elements because that’s an important aspect of their industry – they want you to get a shiny new car in their shiny dealership. You have to reflect on what your commercial building wants to aim for and get the appropriate finish that would help you towards that goal. 

Branding

Commercial buildings are meant to be a place of business and they would usually have a logo or some form of branding on the side of the building. Every marketing strategist knows that branding is a highly integral part of commerce. 

When choosing the finish for your commercial building, consider the branding that your business has. A good rule of thumb is to match the finish with the design of the branding or logo. 

If your logo is showy and glossy, you might as well match it with a glossy finish. On the other hand, if your business is a bit more formal with a matte logo, then you might want to opt for a matte finish. 

Having the finish match the logo or branding would simply help reinforce the branding and make your branding more cohesive. 

Environment and Weather

Understandably, you’d want the finish of your commercial building to be the best aesthetic choice. However, you also have to consider the practical side of choosing a finish. 

Glossy finishes are more durable, especially in humid environments. This is because they seal the paint to avoid moisture from coming in and wearing the paint down. 

If your commercial building is located somewhere with higher temperatures, you should then choose a finish that can withstand heat. These are indeed practical decisions that you have to make because choosing the finish to match the environment will help prolong the life of your finish.

Conclusion

These tips are a great starting point for considering your commercial building’s paint finish. If you need further advice, don’t hesitate to call us and we’ll be more than happy to help you with some ideas.

You’ve put on a fresh coat of paint, and you’re dismayed to find it cracking over time. What can you do, and what did you do wrong? There are a handful of common reasons why your paint is cracking, and you can learn some tips that Orlando painters adhere to.

Common Reasons Your Paint is Cracking

You Didn’t Get the Proper Start

Paint coats a surface by sticking to it. Thus, it stands to reason that if you don’t give the paint a good surface, it won’t stick as well as it should. You might think your walls are clean, but you should always wipe down your walls (or any other surface) to remove any dust and debris before you start painting. 

These little granules might not even be visible, but they do prevent paint from properly adhering to the surface. As a result, the paint stops sticking in places where debris was, resulting in a cracked or peeling look. 

Heat and Humidity

When you paint, it’s best to do so on a cool, dry surface. This can be difficult to manage in warm, humid climates, but it can help prevent cracking paint. Paint won’t stick to a damp surface very well, and it can’t dry properly if the air around it is too humid. 

You might see bubbling at first, but this will quickly turn into a cracking layer of paint. If you need to, use a dehumidifier and fan to prepare the environment you’re painting in.

The Wrong Products

We all love saving some money wherever we can, but sometimes it can cause you more problems than the benefits it brings you. It’s true that you’ll pay more for a high quality paint, but it’s also true that that is money well spent. 

Cheaper paints often don’t have the same ‘lasting’ power as those that might cost you a few bucks more per can. That’s not to say that price is everything, but if a deal seems too good to be true, it just might be. Make sure you look into the paint you want to use if you encounter a ‘too good to be true’ type of deal. 

It Just Happens

Here’s the thing with paint: it’s like any other material. No matter how much you spend, how well you use it, or how well you care for it, it does undergo an aging process. If you’ve had the same paint for quite some time, cracking might not be your fault. 

Some paints will last longer than others, but no paint lasts forever. If you’ve had the same paint job for it’s expected lifespan, the cracking simply means it’s time to start over, take it off, and put on some new paint. 

You’re Not An Expert

Unfortunately, DIY jobs don’t always go smoothly. This can happen when you paint on your own. Even seemingly small things like accidently putting paint on too thickly can cause cracking more quickly than you’d expect. 

Likewise, premature cracking can happen if you didn’t allow layers of paint to fully dry before applying the next layer. Our advice is to err on the side of caution and apply thin layers of paint, and give them plenty of time to dry before you move to the next layer. 

Conclusion

These are the most common reasons that paint is cracking. If you’re disappointed in how your paint job has turned out, it’s time to consult a professional that can point you in the right direction. 

Painting your house can be a big project and prepping it beforehand is a crucial step. House painters in Orlando will always ensure that a house is completely prepped for the paint job before starting. Here is a quick list of things to take care of beforehand. 

How to Prep a House for Painting

Clean It

It may seem a little counterintuitive to clean the area before you paint it, but if you paint over a dirty house, you’ll regret it quickly. Before you even pull out that bucket of paint or call your painting company, get out your ladder and hose. It’s time to give your house a thorough bath.

When you clean your house, be sure to scrub it. Don’t hold back. After all, if you scratch the current paint, that’s alright. You already have plans to cover it up. If you have a pressure washer, using it to clean your house before you paint it can be a fantastic way to go about things. Just make sure you know how to operate it and don’t get too carried away.

As you clean the outside of your house, look out for any mold, mildew, or peeling paint. You want the surface to be as clean as possible and using an anti-bacterial cleaning agent can help. Of course, mixing a regular cleaning solution with water works just as well, but be sure to scrub away any old paint that’s peeling or moldy spots.

Set Up Ground Protection

You may not think about it at first, but you’ll definitely want to set up tarps on the ground to protect your grass or porch. Falling or splattering paint may not show up right away, but you’ll definitely notice it once you’ve finished and it’s already dry.

Before you get painting, make sure to thoroughly cover the ground around you with a tarp. Protect bushes and shrubbery as well as your garden. Even if it’s in the backyard and you don’t necessarily care if the plants get dirty, paint isn’t healthy for them and could hurt your plants. If it’s possible, it might be a good idea to move delicate plants out of the way entirely in order to protect them as much as possible.

Look for any hoses or utility boxes to cover as well. Tape and tarp around immovable objects. It’s better to set up too much protection rather than find out later on you missed a place or two.

Scrape and Sand Away Old Paint

It’s time to get rid of old, peeling paint entirely. Also look out for paint that has bubbled. Take out either a tough scrub brush or a scraper and get to work on removing that old paint. It needs to all be gone to ensure that your new paint turns out looking nice.

Once you’ve scraped away as much of the old paint as you can, get a sander and take care of the rest. You can use medium friction sand paper for smaller spots that can be sanded down manually, but getting a sander will help finish the whole job faster and with lesser effort.

It’s important that the area you’re painting is as bare as you can get it. While this process may be long and tiring, it’s necessary if you want a good paint job. Never take shortcuts and paint on old, flaking paint. This will just cause your new paint to simply flake off.

Conclusion

Prepping your house for painting can be a chore, but it will make sure your house looks better at the end. By taking a little extra time before getting started, you’ll end up with good results and a paint job that looks great. 

If you are considering hiring an Orlando painting company to paint your home, you may be focusing on the colors available. But it is just as important to pay attention to the types of paint you can use on your home to get the most for your money. This will provide you with the best possible results and prevent you from needing to repaint every year.

Types of house paint

To get the most out of your paint, you need to select the right type for your home.

Primer Paint

Primer is used as a base for the actual paint to better adhere to. This will be the first coat to go on your walls, but is not to be used as the actual main paint. This is because primer is designed to enhance the paint you choose, rather than covering your walls. You should always make sure your primer is made of the same base as the paint you want to use. Do not use an oil-based primer with a water-based paint, or vice versa.

Water-Based Paints

Water based, or latex and acrylic paints, are a quicker drying option that produces a matte-like finish. This is a more environmentally friendly option, and better withstands issues like mold and mildew. Latex-based paints are well loved for how easy they are to work with. They are durable, easy to clean up and can withstand direct sunlight well.

How to choose

It can be hard to decide which paint to use on your home, especially with the misinformation out there from the big consumer sites. I hope this little bit of information makes your decision easier. Through trial & error, I now only use what I know to be the best paint available.

Firstly no matter what grade paint you choose, the best sheen finish for exteriors is Satin. Satin finish will fade less, stay cleaner longer and give a more slick surface where mold will have a harder time bonding to, than flat finish paints.

Sherwin Williams SuperPaint or Resilience will last longer & look better than the Standard paints. like A-100, but hard to say how much longer. Where you will really see the difference in durability is on the South & West sides of your home, especially if it’s a 2-story with more exposure. We really like Sherwin Williams SuperPaint, it has proven to us, in our experience to be one of the best exterior paints.

The Primer/Sealer option is for those who want the longest lasting paint finish on their home, or for very neglected/chalky or peeling painting surfaces, then it’s required. A good estimate of how long it will extend the life of your paint, is about 2-3 years.

Conclusion

Don’t risk choosing the wrong type of paint for your home. To get the best results, pay attention to the type of paint first, then worry about colors. This will both provide you with a better result, and save you money in the long term.