Paint, especially on the exterior of your home, is more than just decoration. Exterior house paint is a protective covering that keeps the underlying surface, whether it be wood or masonry, from being directly exposed to the elements. This task is what makes the number of paint products available so complicated. Naperville House Painters
If it were just all about colors, anyone could pick paint easily. Since color is not all there is, it’s important to know the different types of exterior paint available and what they’re for. Next to surface prep, the type of paint you choose to cover your house is the most important element of painting. If you want it to last, anyway.
The 4 basic parts of exterior paint are: solvents, pigments, binders and additives. Each finish type or blend has a different mix of these items. Pigments make up the color and the binder is what holds all of the pigments together, acting as a sort of glue to keep them on the surface. The additives and solvents are what make up the characteristics of the paint itself, such as protective qualities, paint hardness, mildew resistance, and so forth. The solvent itself also controls the liquid state of the paint and is what’s responsible for how long it takes to dry. This drying time can be a part of what dictates how well the paint sticks and how long it lasts.
Latex (water-based) and alkyd (oil-based) are the two major types of exterior paint. In general, latex paints are used by the do it yourself painter and are more eco-friendly while alkyd paints are often used by professionals because they spread faster and thicker.
Latex paints usually have a faster drying time and come in a wider variety of color options. They are, however, not generally as long-lasting and can often require more labor to put on in an even coat with no lingering marks from brushes, overspray, or rollers. House Painters in Naperville
Alkyds have oil in their base and are thicker. This means that they take longer to dry, but give better coating and are generally longer-lasting as well. High quality exterior paints for common surfaces such as wood will often be alkyd-based.
Some circumstances call for more uncommon paint types. Elastomeric paints get their name from the rubber-like quality they have once applied. Once used mainly on semi-flexible structures to keep the paint from chipping, these are becoming popular exterior house paints as well, especially on masonry finishes. This thick paint bonds very well and bridges small gaps and works well on surfaces that can change shape with climate.
Another popular alternative is urethane. This paint is used mainly on flooring such as walkways, porches, etc., made from wood. This tough, durable paint can really make a wood floor shine. Don’t confuse urethane with epoxy, which are interior-only.
Choosing the right paint for your home is important and can save you a lot of effort in the long run by both making the job easier and by extending the time between paintings.