Whether you are hiring someone to paint something for you or you are considering doing the job yourself, it is important to know that there are differences in interior vs exterior paint. If you plan to hire someone, one way to ensure that a painter knows its craft is if they understand the differences between the two types of paint. If they don?t, they are not reputable and not a professional painter.
Types of Paint
There are two main types of paint that are used in commercial and residential use, and they are water-based paints and oil based paints. These two mediums may appear similar to the untrained eye, but they behave vastly different depending on the environment they are used in. Here is a quick run-down of the main properties of these two paints formulated for specific purposes.
Exterior paints come in both a gloss and matte finish. Exterior paints are made of additives that help prevent fading, stop the growth of mildew, and resist tannin based stains.
Interior paints also come in a gloss and matte finish. Interior paints are not exposed to rain and do not come in contact with freezing temperatures so they are made of more rigid resins.
Oil-based
used for exterior
sturdy
gives off harsh fumes
solvent: mineral spirits
Water-based (also known as latex paint)
used for interior
delicate
light fumes
solvent: water
Choose the Right Paint
To better understand which paint is appropriate to use, it is important to understand the nature of paint, which is comprised of solvent, resin, additives, and pigments. Typically, the pigment of a paint is a powder that is mixed with a resin to give it its viscous property. It is not the pigment but the binding resins that make up the difference between exterior and interior paint.
As for solvents and pigments, any pigment can be used in any paint regardless of what solvent or resin is added. While the resin binds the pigment, the additives present in a paint will vary, and depending on its intended uses, can be found in paint to prevent mildew among other things.
When it comes to interior vs exterior paint, the biggest factor in choosing the correct paint comes down to how it reacts to its environment. For an exterior wall, one must consider weather conditions when choosing between interior paints and exterior paints. In some cases, interior paints can be used outside, but not the other way around. If an exterior wall is exposed to the elements, it can be completely ruined by rain if it is painted with a water-soluble paint.
The way a paint dries will also affect your decision between paints, as oil paint gives off harmful fumes as it dries if kept in an enclosed area. These fumes can release VOCs or volatile organic compounds as it starts to cure and even after it?s finished curing, making exterior paint extremely unhealthy for indoor use.
You may choose to use exterior latex paint with additives that give it weather-resistant properties. However, this same reasoning cannot be applied to oil-based paints for an interior painted surface due to the lasting fumes that oil can retain for years.
Keep in mind that mildewcides and fungicides in exterior paint can also give off an odor on muggy humid days and may even trigger allergy symptoms!
Leave it to the Pros
To ensure that your paint job is done with the right materials and executed professionally, it is recommended that you hire professionals. Pro Painters is a trusted company based in Houston with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. With extensive experience in residential and commercial painting projects, your interior and exterior paint jobs are safe in the hands of the pros.
