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. And also understanding the different types of exterior house paint will help you choose the best paint for your house. Preparation and the quality of the house paint are the most important things when it comes to house painting.
Medium, binders and pigments are three main components that made up the house exterior paint. In addition, paint manufacturers add various ingredients to enhance their paints fade-resistance, mildew and mold resistance, pest-resistance, and longevity.
Types of Exterior House Paint
Base on medium used, there are two main types of exterior house paint,: 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.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, better resistance to UV fading, almost odorless, faster drying, more flexible: able to whit stand expansion and contraction better
Oil Base Paint compared to Water Base:
Harder to clean up, UV exposure made it fade faster, strong odor, slower drying, less flexible
Exterior Paint Tips
