Best Paint For Exterior Walls – Why are some five-year-old paints flaking and peeling, while others done in the Reagan era look like they were covered last week? The answer is deceptively simple: quality exterior paint applied to a properly prepared surface will last longer than cheap paint. But finding good things in a store can be sensory overload. In addition to pondering the oil vs. water dilemma, homeowners must choose from several product lines from each national brand, as well as locally produced products.
And while price is usually indicative of quality, some exterior paints can cost $40 a gallon, but the price itself can be high. Fortunately, there are a few more indicators that can help you buy the right color if you know what it is. So, whether your next outdoor painting project is soon or years away, read on to find out what independent researchers and industry experts say makes a quality product. You will also receive useful tips on the important preparation process and the aesthetic science of color selection.
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For many years, there has been a lively debate about which oil-based or water-based paints are better. Petroleum products, including alkyd paints, are cleaned with white spirit. Water-based products, called latex paints, although now made from vinyl and acrylic, wash off with water.
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Despite the fact that this issue remains debatable, water-based paints are increasingly conquering the exterior of houses. Research conducted at the USDA Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison, Wisconsin shows that water-based paints expand and contract with the liner. They also allow water vapor generated inside the house to penetrate through the paint film.
Oil paints, on the other hand, dry to a hard coating that blocks moisture. This can cause the paint to crack and blister when the underlayment appears as the trapped moisture tries to find its way out. Water-based paints are also more environmentally friendly because they contain fewer volatile organic compounds.
Does this mean that oil paints cannot be used? Not at all. “When I’m asked to recommend a paint,” says Al Beitelman, director of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Paint Technology Center, “I always ask about past paint jobs.” If it worked fine, I recommend using what was before.
A premium line from any manufacturer will almost certainly provide better coverage and last longer than its cheaper counterparts. Since painting costs are mostly labor related, it makes sense to buy the highest quality paint. But let’s say you plan to move in the next few years or want to change the color scheme of your home. You can save money by using mid-range paints that last about 10 years, compared to 15 or more years for many high-end paints.
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“We’ve found that customers don’t really believe in warranty claims,” says Lane Blackburn, vice president of architectural marketing for Sherwin-Williams. “But they use the warranty as a benchmark of quality.” For example, Ace Hardware, like most retailers, offers two lines of exterior paint: Royal Shield ($20-$25 per gallon, 15-year warranty) and Quality Shield ($16, 10-year warranty).
Appropriate pigments. High-quality pigments allow the paint to be well covered in just one layer. Paints with cheaper pigments often have to be applied in several layers. This means extra work, so buying low-quality paint is a bad financial decision. The best pigment is titanium dioxide. Look for it when the ingredients are listed on the jar.
High percentage of solids. Solids are what remains on the wall after the paint dries. Anything above 45 percent is considered good; the higher the solids the better as you will get a denser and stronger coating. For example, a gallon of Dulux Exterior Flat is 52% solids by weight. But be aware that some companies add cheap fillers to increase the solids content, so it’s a good idea to avoid cheap paints with high solids content. Although you usually won’t find solids information on the label, contact your paint dealer, ask to read the product specifications, or turn on your modem and check the company’s website.
All acrylic binder. The binder holds the pigments, fungicides and other solids that form the actual paint film. Look for latex paint with an acrylic binder, which is generally more weather-resistant than vinyl or vinyl acrylic. Many paint manufacturers use modified acrylics for interior lines and solid acrylics for premium weatherproof exterior paints.
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For example, Glidden Spred Satin is a modified interior acrylic paint, while Spred Dura Satin is an exterior acrylic bonding paint. If you don’t see “100% acrylic” or “all acrylic” in bold on the front of the can, check to see if the ingredients are “acrylic polymer.” Also, make sure you choose the right color for the surface you are covering. Most water-based exterior paints can be used on wood and fiberboard siding and trim. They are also suitable for vinyl and aluminum siding and most masonry.
Use elastomeric paint on plaster prone to cracking. It is more flexible than standard coatings and leaves a durable film twice as thick (about 5 mils). An example is Valspar plaster paint, which covers hairline cracks to keep water out. You can also buy colors adapted to the conditions of specific regions of the country. Dutch Boy’s ClimateGuard series was the first of these paints from a major manufacturer. For example, its Southeast formula contains additional mold-killing agents for humid climates, while its Northwest paint contains more solids to withstand months of rain.
Choosing and matching colors can be nerve wracking, which explains why there are so many white houses. Fortunately, paint companies take the pain out of this process. Many offer color charts that suggest color combinations for lining and trim. Some invented other methods.
For example, in its Weatherbeater line, Sears stuck to colors customers like and colors from nature. The company’s research resulted in palettes corresponding to different regions of the country: one set of colors for the coast, one for the sun belt and a third for the center of the country. Home Depot’s color experts have created 30 popular combinations for the Behr line, from soft pinks and peaches to bold rusts and blues.
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And if you have a classic home or even a modern classic, the Sherwin-Williams Preservation palette offers a variety of historic hues. Most flush dealers will also help you win matches. Some offer color matching software. For example, Benjamin Moore salespeople will scan a photo of your home and let you check the colors on a computer screen.
Or you can choose a house in the app that looks just like yours. Whichever method you use, remember that your roof and landscape with the other houses on the street will not change. Therefore, when choosing, consider these stable colors. And go for lighter shades, suggests Mark Knebe, an FPL chemist. Dark colors absorb heat and are more likely to suffer from moisture problems.
Even the best exterior paint can fail if not used properly. When painting an untreated surface, always use a primer to set it in place and create a base coat for top coats to adhere to. Alkyd primers work best on bare wood because they better seal penetration through wood knots; make sure the label states that the primer is designed to prevent seepage.
Water-based primers are a good choice if tangles aren’t a problem. Water-based paints are compatible with both types of primer. When repainting, prime only if necessary. If there are no cracks or chips on the paint, you may not need to prime at all. Advantage 900 from Porter Paints is designed to cover existing paint without priming or sanding. If you need to scrape down to bare wood, prime the area.
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Not sure if you need to prime? Try this test: paint a small area of the wall and let it dry. Then apply the adhesive patch to the newly painted surface and peel it off. If the paint is stuck, the old paint will not withstand the new layer and needs a primer. When the joint is clean, wash the panels and paint.
When painting new construction, FPL recommends dipping each piece of siding in a paintable water repellent, priming, and then applying two coats of water-based paint. The lab also recommends installing the panels over the coating strips, creating a ventilated space behind them to reduce evaporation. Cover the bottom with a net to prevent insects from escaping.
If you hire a painting contractor, make sure they follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions. For example, to use water-based paint, the temperature should be between 50 and 90°F. In addition, the finishing coating must be applied within two weeks after the primer. If you wait too long, the mechanical bond between the two will not be as strong as the surface texture of the area will be disturbed.
And if two upper layers are used (recommended for new construction), the second should be used
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