The two most important things when it comes to house painting are preparation and the quality of the house paint. Understanding the different types of exterior house paint will help you choose the best paint for your house.
Exterior house paint is made up of three main components: Medium, binders and pigments. In addition, paint manufacturers add various ingredients to enhance their paints fade-resistance, mildew and mold resistance, pest-resistance, and longevity. The pigment gives the paint its color; the binders, bind the paint to the surface it is applied to and the medium is what the pigment and binders are mixed with to form a liquid.
Types of Exterior House Paint
There are two main types of exterior house paint, classified by the medium used: water-base and oil-base. Water base exterior house paint uses water to mix with the binders and pigments. Water base binders include latex, acrylic and other synthetics such as urethane or vinyl. Oil base exterior house paint is really more of a traditional term rather than a current description. Today, the medium for oil base paint is mineral spirits and is called alkyd.
With exterior house paint, the rule is you get what you pay for. More expensive paint has more pigment and better quality binders. It will last longer and be easier to work with than the lower priced spreads.
A Note About Priming
Priming really deserves its own article (and it will get it). Suffice it to say you should never use a water base paint over oil base paint without priming first and all raw wood should be primed before painting the top coat. (Rule of Thumb: You can apply an oil base paint over a water base paint, but never the other way around.)
Water Base or Oil Base: Which Is Better?
There are excellent water base exterior house paints and excellent oil base exterior house paints. To make matters even more confusing, either may be used successfully for most applications. (see rule of thumb above) Never the less, there are some differences.
Water Base Paint compared to Oil Base:
Easier to clean up
Almost odorless
Cannot be applied in cold weather
Faster drying
Tendency to show brush marks
More flexible, so that it will be able to withstand expansion and contraction better
Better resistance to UV fading
Oil Base Paint compared to Water Base:
Harder to clean up
Strong odor
Can be applied in colder weather
Slower drying
Shows brush marks less
Less flexible
UV exposure will cause it to fade faster
Keep in mind: Just as location is important in real estate, it is also important when choosing an exterior paint. Local weather conditions are a major factor when choosing house paint. A knowledgeable salesperson at the local paint store should be able to explain why certain paint has properties that are better for your locale.
© 2007 Complete Books Publishing, Inc.
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