The paint on your home’s exterior is not just about decoration. Without paint, the underlying surface of your home’s exterior (wood, vinyl, or masonry) would be exposed. This is the purpose behind paint and it is what makes the number of products available so confusing. Painters Naperville
If it were just all about color, anyone could pick paint easily. Since it is not, some knowledge of what the different types of exterior paints for your home is a must. Next to surface prep, the type of paint you choose to cover your house is the most important element of painting. If you want it to last, anyway.
Exterior paints are made up of 4 basic elements: solvents, pigments, binders and additives. Every finish type has a different blend of these things to make up the paint’s specific characteristics. Pigments make up the color and the binder is what holds all of the pigments together, acting as a sort of glue to keep them on the surface. Changes in the amount and type of additive and solvent changes the characteristics of the paint itself; things like protective qualities, paint hardness, mildew resistance, etc. The solvent keeps the paint wet and is what decides how long it takes it to dry. Often, the longer it takes the paint to dry (or “soak in”), the longer it will last as well.
The two major types of house paint for exterior are latex and alkyd (oil and water-based). In the main, latex is most often used by non-professionals and is more eco-friendly whereas alkyd paints are usually used by contractors and are easier to spread and spray without blemish.
Latex paints tend to be faster drying than alkyds and usually come in a wider variety of options for color and surface types. They are not always as long-lasting, however, and usually require more labor to apply to avoid marks from rollers, brushes, or over spray. Painters Naperville
Alkyds have oil in their base and are thicker. This means they take longer to dry, but give a better coating and usually last longer as well. Most good quality exterior paints for wood and other common surfaces are alkyd-based.
Other types of paint that are not as common are also worth considering if you can find them. Elastomeric paints are becoming more common, getting their name from their rubbery quality once applied. While they were originally invented for use on semi-flexible structures, allowing flex so the paint wouldn’t chip, they are now becoming popular on stucco and masonry finishes. The elastomeric is thick and bonds well with surfaces, covering small gaps and holding its finish even if the surface flexes due to the seasons.
Another popular alternative is urethane. This paint is used on wood floor surfaces like porches. This durable, tough paint can really make a wood floor shine. Urethane is not the same as epoxy floor paints, which are interior-only.
It is important to choose the right paint for your home, as you’ll save a lot of money over the long run by both making the job easier and by putting more time between painting.