When you approach the job of painting your exterior walls, one of the decisions you’ll have to make is what type of paint to use. There are many different types of paints on the market today, most with distinctly different properties.
Some are good for very humid climates while others will not hold up in dry or cold climates.
You need to choose an exterior house paint that will provide good coverage and adhesion, be durable, resist all types of weather elements, and protect your walls.
You can find different exterior wall paints in various home improvement. It’s best to purchase a higher quality brand name rather than cheaper brands; they may cost more initially but you’ll get better coverage and last longer.
While your doctor recommends you eat healthy, your home painting contractor probably won’t recommend that you use organic paint for the outside of your house.
The type of exterior wall paint you choose will depend on where you live and the climate of your area. Do a little research by reading online reviews, asking friends and neighbors for recommendations, and visiting paint stores to speak to professionals about which paints hold up in certain climates.
Related article: How to Prep a House for Painting Exterior
You’ll save yourself time and money by making the correct exterior painting decision from the beginning. There are generally four types of exterior house paint used today.
Each type has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages depending on the desired end result.
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint is most commonly used on wood or metal siding because it provides a high degree of protection from moisture penetration as well as sun damage.
It also does not have the same environmental impact as latex paint because it is non-water based and emits significantly less volatile organic compounds into the air. However, oil-based paints are highly toxic to both humans and animals when it comes in direct contact with skin or if inhaled, so proper precautions must be taken to avoid accidental poisoning.
Oil-Based Acrylic Paint
Specifically designed as a more environmentally friendly version of oil-based paint, oil-based acrylic paint provides many of the same benefits without emitting harmful gasses or poisoning humans or animals.
However, oil-based acrylic paints emit more VOCs during its first three to four months after being applied.
Therefore, it should not be used in closed spaces like attics or garages either, but should be allowed to cure outdoors instead.
Water-Based Paint
Water-based exterior paint emits significantly less VOCs than both oil-based paints and oil-based acrylic paints.
It also provides a high degree of protection from moisture penetration, but it only protects the substrate from sun damage for three to four years because sunlight breaks down water-based material faster.
This type of paint is also non-toxic to both animals and humans, but is not as strong or durable as oil-based paints.
Latex Paint
While it allows the substrate to be exposed directly to sunlight, latex paint is a popular choice because it emits low levels of VOCs, provides a low level of protection from moisture penetration, and is non-toxic to animals and humans.
It also has a very low risk of accidental poisoning, as it does not emit as much harmful chemicals as other types of exterior house paint do.
In addition, latex paint dries quickly and cures extremely fast, so it can be used inside closed spaces like attics or garages without any issues.
