Painting is a great way to breathe new life into your home or business.
A fresh coat of paint can restore your space with minimal cost and very little effort.
With that said, choosing the right type of paint can be a bit tricky – especially when it comes to interior vs exterior paints.
Whether you’re painting your porch, updating your siding, or adding a splash of color to your kitchen, you want to choose a premium paint that will last.
If you’d rather hire a residential exterior painting company to take care of everything, we’re here for you.
If you’re considering doing the job yourself, read on.
The first step towards success is selecting the perfect paint for your project.
Let’s have a look.
Choosing The Perfect Paint
The paint you choose should be determined by the surface you’re painting.
Don’t focus too much on the color.
Interior and exterior paints come in a wide array of colors and levels of gloss, making it easy to match the color and shine to any sample you provide.
Most exterior paints are available in three finishes, while interior paints can be supplied in as many as six finishes.
Each paint has been formulated to perform best in its environment.
Interior paints are designed to be scrubbed, resist staining, and allow for easy cleaning.
Exterior paints are designed to resist peeling, cracking, and mildew.
The main difference lies in their chemical components.
Let’s explore.
Differences In Chemistry
All paints contain pigments, solvents, additives, and resins.
The solvents are what cause the paint to be wet.
Latex paints use water as a solvent, while oil based paints use a combination of solvents, such as ketones, alcohols, and mineral spirits.
As the paint dries, the solvents evaporate.
You are left with the resins, pigments, and additives, which are the lasting ingredients.
The pigment is the color component, which is bound to the surface by resin.
Additives are what make the paint easier to apply, easier to clean, and resistant to mildew.
Differences In Odor
What about the smell?
Indoor latex paint has a mild odor that disperses quickly.
It’s not toxic to breathe, and although a bit smelly, it won’t harm your pets or your family.
Exterior paints are a bit thicker and more pungent.
Their odor can be overwhelming, which is why they require adequate ventilation.
That ventilation is, of course, no big deal if you’re using exterior paints for what they’re meant for – the exterior of your house.
These paints contain additives that are toxic to your health.
Mildewcides and fungicides added to exterior paints make them tough enough to hold up under challenging outdoor conditions.
However, you might be able to small it on a humid day and may even trigger allergies.
This isn’t an issue once it’s dry.
Can You Use Exterior Paint Inside?
A premium exterior paint relies on flexible acrylic resins that expand and contract during temperature highs and lows.
These paints are water resistant and contain additives that prevent damage from sunlight and protect against mildew and stains.
It’s not recommended to use exterior paints indoors.
It might seem like using a tougher, weatherproof paint could save you time in the future, but the fumes from exterior paints can cause serious harm.
Some of these chemicals are not approved for indoor use, and for good reason.
They can irritate the eyes and throat, and they’ve proven harmful to individuals with respiratory disorders.
Dangerous paint fumes can last for months in your home, so it’s crucial that you take the right steps in protecting your health.
Proper ventilation is required when you’re mixing and applying exterior paint, and it will take extra time to dry.
A good rule of thumb is to follow the recommendation made by the paint manufacturers, stated on the can.
Can You Use Interior Paint Outside?
In the same way you shouldn’t use exterior paints in your home, you shouldn’t be using interior paints outside either.
Interior walls and surfaces are susceptible to bumps, scrapes, smudges, and stains, so the paint needs to be durable and easy to clean up.
Interior paint is formulated with resins and additives that cover the surface evenly, while minimizing splatter and brush marks.
Latex paint designed for indoors will be easy to apply and will dry quickly without many imperfections.
They have a smooth, hard finish that’s perfect for sprucing up your bedroom, hallway, or office space.
The number one piece of advice we can offer homeowners is to use the right paint for the project like the pros do.
Different paint formulations are recommended for different applications for a reason – it’s what will give you the best results.
At PurcellPro Painting, we’re happy to take care of your painting project whenever you need us.
Contact PurcellPro Painting Today
We’ve got the experience and supplies to help you transform your space.
Interior or exterior, commercial or residential, we’ve got you covered.
Call PurcellPro Painting today for a free estimate.
