Benefits and Downsides to Exterior Painting
When you’re planning to paint your exterior walls, there are a variety of different options available to you, and all these options have their own pros and cons. While using a particular type of exterior house paint may be advantageous in some situations, it may not be so in others. There are also numerous types of exterior paint and a lot of retailers and manufacturers sell paint of varying brands, qualities and colors. To help you make the right choice, let’s take a look at some of the main types of exterior house paint and how they’re used:
- Acrylic exterior house paint is the most popular choice for exterior painting projects because it is a very versatile paint which can also be used on both oil-and water-based paints. This makes it ideal for use on masonry elements such as siding, porches, decks, exterior trim, fascia and door surrounds. The acrylic compound gives out a glossy finish that resists staining, cracking and fading. It’s also resistant to heat and UV rays and therefore ideal for exterior painting on warm weather or coastal regions. The only drawback is that this type of exterior house paint is more expensive than its solvent counterpart.
- Stained exterior painting is an excellent method of providing exterior painting a natural look. If properly applied, stained home paint will complement the existing siding and decors of your home. If applied on top of a fresh coat of paint, the effect will be a one of a kind, antique-looking enhancement to your home’s exterior. This type of painting is best used on older homes where the color doesn’t need to be matched to the paint on the house itself. However, the technique can also work well on newly painted houses.
- Applying a clear coat of paint improves the exterior house painting’s protection from rain, wind, snow and damaging sun. A topcoat of paint will make it easier for you to clean the exterior surfaces of your home with soap and water. Also, the paint prevents the growth of mold and mildew that grow in poorly maintained and exposed areas. If you’re thinking of selling your home, a clear coating will give it a finished look that’s very attractive to potential buyers.
Although exterior painting is a relatively inexpensive method of sprucing up your home’s exterior, there are several pros and cons associated with the process. The first thing you’ll need to do before painting is clean the area, no matter what type of paint you choose to use. If you’re repainting an area that already has a stain, don’t forget to remove the old stain. Next, check the pH level of the ground water near your home and make sure it’s acidic enough to not affect the new paint.
Before you commit to a certain exterior house paint job, make sure you research all of the options available. You may be able to save money by doing the painting yourself rather than hiring professionals. Another option is to buy quality exterior paint that may be a bit more expensive than cheaper acrylic latex paints. However, if the job you’ve planned ends up not turning out the way you want, you’ll have to pay to have it redone.
