There are a lot of tips on the internet on how to DIY paint your exterior, but there is more to painting your home’s exterior than satisfying the eyes. More things must be considered; one of these is weathering the elements. How to Choose the Right Paint for Your Home’s Exterior? Lets find out!
Unfortunately, there are paint products that make false claims about the durability of their paints. So, in this article, we will give you a proven step-by-step guide to choosing the right paint for your home’s exterior that can weather the elements.
Below is a helpful guide to choosing the right paint for your exterior.
1. Check the Local Temperature
Before we proceed with choosing the right paint for your exterior, make sure that you have checked the local temperature in your area. Temperature is crucial in painting because most paints require a certain temperature to fully dry.
The ideal temperature must be 50 degrees. In my experience, to avoid any sudden drop in temperature, I paint my home’s exterior during spring and fall. However, today’s paint industry is already equipped with paint technology that allows you to paint even when the temperature is as low as 35 degrees.
You might also want to look into some water-resistant paint products, which allow you to paint practically up to the point of rain. Even so, if rain is expected within the next one to two hours, it is still recommended that you stop the painting process.
2. Use an Acrylic-Based Paint
When I DIY paint the exterior of my home, I choose acrylic paint because it retains its color and glosses much better than oil-based paint. They also have a greater tolerance for low-temperature application, are mold and mildew resistant, and are much simpler to clean up when working with them.
In addition, since it is water-based, they don’t need any thinner; just plain water will do. And, they dry quickly compared to other types of finishing touch paints.
While both acrylic and latex paint products are water-based, acrylic paint includes chemicals, which is their primary distinction. Acrylic paint’s chemical composition enables it to adjust in response to changes in weather and temperature. Because of this characteristic, acrylic is great for painting your home’s exterior.
Now, you can guess How to Choose the Right Paint for Your Home’s Exterior? Right?
3. Number of Years the Paint Last
Paint makers frequently claim that their paint will last for a certain number of years. But, to ensure the durability of the brand you choose, look for independent consumer tests that determine how long a paint can endure exposure to the elements.
Furthermore, if the results come from a reliable, unbiased source, they can provide you with a reliable indicator of the expected lifespan of any paint. If doing the study is too time-consuming, you can always look at the paint’s warranty label.
On average, quality exterior paint should be able to last homeowners for up to seven years. If you decide to do your own painting, make sure to use long-lasting exterior paint that lasts more than three years.
4. Colors That Last and Gloss
Gloss is a good plus factor in paint because not only does it make the color of your final touches look shiny, but most of all, the surface of your wall is easier to clean. As for me, when I do DIY painting, I consider using paint with long-lasting color and gloss because of its advantages.
With a glossy surface, dirt can be easily removed. And, when it comes to colors, glossy paint usually endures the changing seasons better. Even so, the paint’s binder and pigment can deteriorate under direct sunlight, which can cause it to chalk and lose its sheen.
All paints eventually lose part of their color and gloss, although lower-grade paints often do so far sooner than higher-grade paints.
5. Choose a Paint That Can Withstand the Effects of Weather
Finding a paint that can withstand the effects of weather is not an easy task. There are so many paint brands that claim that their paints are weatherproof, but not all of them actually do. To choose the right paint for painting your home’s exterior, you must understand how weather changes affect your paint.
Water and Moisture
The best paint to get if you reside in a rain-prone area is weather-proof paint or paints made especially for cold places. They may be a bit costly, but in the long run, you will save a great sum and time from repainting.
Humidity
Humidity is the greatest enemy of paint. We learned in 5th grade that when the level of humidity is high, anything that is wet takes time to dry. It is the same with paint; it takes much longer for the moisture in paint to escape. It is even disastrous during high humidity with lower temperatures.
Direct Sunlight
Some homeowners who do DIY painting wait till the sun is at its highest point before they paint because they think the hotter it gets, the faster the paint will dry, especially in home exterior painting. Unfortunately, this is a misconception.
The binding agents and pigments in paint fade in direct sunlight, especially when it’s very hot. As a result, it is critical to consider when you will begin painting your external wall. The best time to prevent excessive UV radiation is probably early in the morning.
Conclusion
There are numerous ways to save money on home renovations, but painting the exterior is one that you should pay special attention to. The more you scrimp on this aspect, the more likely you are to get low-quality paint, which could lead to tragedy and cost you more in the long run.
