Introduction – What is Exterior Paint and How Can it be Used on Interior Walls?
Exterior paint is a type of coating designed specifically for use on the outside surfaces of homes and other buildings. It is formulated to withstand the elements, primarily water, and provide superior protection from sun damage and UV rays. Exterior paint formulations typically contain higher levels of binders and pigments than interior paints to give them added protection against fading over time. The main difference between interior and exterior paint is that exterior paint must endure more wear and tear due to its location.
In recent years many homeowners have begun experimenting with using exterior paints on interior walls as an accent or styling feature specifically in bathrooms and kitchens. Interior wall painting with exterior paint has certain advantages, including low-sheen finishes that won’t show grease or dirt buildup as quickly in kitchen spaces or higher resistance to water splashes in bathrooms when compared with traditional interior wall paints. Exterior paints can also be tougher and more resilient against nicks along corners, baseboards, etc., where furniture frequently comes into contact.
Choosing the right type of exterior paint for interior use should be done with care – some products may contain ingredients that are caustic and potentially harmful if breathed in during the application process, so it’s best to consult a professional before beginning any project involving hallway, bedroom or living space surfaces. While selecting your product you should pay attention to product labels which may indicate disclaimers about airflow ventilation requirements during application due to potential noxious odors given off from drying wall coatings; this also applies to coatings labeled “low-VOC” (volatile organic compounds).
Although high quality latex or acrylic based outdoor coatings can cost a bit more than traditional brands set aside for indoor locations, creative DIY’ers who put their mind at ease after consulting an expert could find a real benefit by transforming their home by adding drama without too much stress!
Pros of Using Exterior Paint on Interior Walls
The main pros of using exterior paint on interior walls are its durability, coverage and much more. Exterior paint is formulated to be more resistant to water, ultraviolet rays, and abrasion than standard interior paint. The chemically enhanced protection makes exterior paints ideal for high-traffic areas and bathrooms that are prone to splashes, spills and condensation. In addition, this type of paint contains enamel particles that produce a hard finish that resists scuffs and scratches more effectively than a matte finish. This makes it great for entryways or kids’ playrooms where furniture is often moved around or bumped against the wall.
Exterior paints also perform better when it comes to stain resistance. Interior paints typically do not perform well against heavy staining as they contain less resins required for excellent resistance but with exterior paints this won’t be an issue so you can hang artwork near windows without worrying about the sun’s UV rays fading them over time. Interior walls painted with exterior paint are also far less likely to mildew or become stained with natural dirt build up from daily movement through your home as the resin content helps protect against such problems.
Finally, you get better coverage out of exterior paints which means fewer coats – and ultimately less time spent painting – which is great if you live in a humid climate (where painting might take longer) or if you just don’t have time to spend hours rolling sheets onto each wall in your home!
Cons of Using Exterior Paint on Interior Walls
When it comes to decorating our homes, many people instinctively focus on interior paint colors and how to use them to create an inviting atmosphere. While it is true that interior painting can be a great way to put your personal stamp on the home, some may mistakenly believe that the same paint used for exterior walls can also work when painting indoors. Unfortunately, this assumption could lead to significant problems; here are six of the most important cons of using exterior paint on interior walls…
1. Wrong Ingredients: Exterior paints contain ingredients not suitable for indoor use, including mildewcides and fungicides designed specifically for outdoor protection. Using these ingredients indoors can trigger reactions in people and pets with sensitivities or allergies and cause other medical issues as well.
2. Sheer Opacity: Most outdoor paints have higher opacity levels due to their more matte finish, which means they are thicker than what you would apply inside your home. This thickness makes it difficult to achieve an even coat without minor brush marks while also creating an unnatural texture once dry if not applied correctly.
3. Limited Color Choices: Exterior paints generally come only in a very limited selection of colors since their primary purpose is external protection rather than decorating aesthetic; using these plainer finishes inside your home can often give it a dull appearance instead of a vibrant one that’s appealing for indoor spaces. Furthermore, certain depth-enhancing shades common in oil-based interior products won’t be available when choosing exterior paint types.
4. Loss of Gloss Levels: The majority of exterior paints produce semi-gloss or flat finishes due to their nature—they’re made for surfaces that don’t typically require too much reflection or shine—so applying them inside will detract from any added brightness you might be aiming for in those areas or with reflective fixtures like lights and mirrors close by
5 .Durability Disadvantage: While outside walls must deal with moisture
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Exterior Paint on Interior Walls
Are you ready to add a pop of brightness and color to the walls in your home? Exterior paint, when used indoors, offers up a unique and vibrant finish that will instantly enhance any interior. Here’s a step-by-step guide for using exterior paint on interior walls:
1. PREPARE THE WALL: Before you begin painting the wall, any cracking should be identified and patched with spackle or patching compound. Also take care of sanding down any excess debris from the area, so that it is smooth and even before applying paint.
2. CHOOSE YOUR EXTERIOR PAINT: It is important to use an exterior grade paint as regular indoor paints can’t stand up to environmental wear and tear very well. Most places also sell special tinted exterior paints that are formulated to match existing colors of exterior paints better than non-tinted formulas. Also keep in mind that if you want mildew resistance and easy cleanup, choose an alkyd- or oil-based formula; latex offers less protection in those areas but is easier to work with since its absence of odors makes it ideal for indoor usage without affecting air quality negatively in return.
3. FIND A PRIMER: An high performance primer needs to be brushed over the surface prior to applying your chosen paint coat – this will help ensure proper adhesion for optimal results as well as help provide extra protection against stains caused by moisture getting through into corners due to dirt buildups over time (which can occur even more easily inside). Additionally, if you just went over joint compound or another new material then consider selecting a specialized primer made just for those surfaces—anything from a high-solids solvent based formulation through waterborne urethane primers has been found useful when protecting such materials before starting painting..
4. APPLY THE FIRST COAT OF PAINT: Start off by mixing together two different buckets of your chosen paint – both
FAQs About Using Exterior Paint on Interior Walls
Q: Can I use exterior paint on interior walls?
A: Generally, yes! Exterior paint can be used on interior walls, however there are some points to consider before undertaking this project. Firstly, it is important to note that exterior paints are designed to withstand harsher weather conditions than those experienced indoors, so they may not always offer the best finish. Additionally, you will need to make sure that the application technique is correct – such as avoiding roller sponges or brushes designed for exterior surfaces – and that the colour choice suits your existing dĂ©cor scheme. Lastly, bear in mind that applying two coats of an oil-based primer might extend the life of the coating and provide better coverage.
Q: What are the advantages of using an exterior paint over an interior one?
A: The main benefit of using an exterior paint over an interior one lies in its robustness against moisture or humidity – something which may be present but unnoticed within a home’s internal environment. As previously mentioned though, this does have its downside as some surface finishes achieved with exterior paints can appear flaky or uneven. Therefore if seeking a high-quality look on your walls it would be advisable to check out different types of premium-brand paints formulated specifically for inside use (whether they’re water-based acrylics or oil-based enamels).
Q: Are there any scenarios where I should not use exterior paint?
A: It is typically not recommended to apply an exterior grade of paint onto any wall surfaces subject to high levels of steam or condensation such as those found in kitchens and bathrooms – this is presumably due to their potentially corrosive nature when exposed to overly humid conditions over long periods of time. In these instances opt for water resistant coatings identified as suitable for wet areas (e.g: click/vinyl kitchen wallpaper) or other specialty products designed for firstly moisture protection and secondly environmental tolerance .
Top 5 Facts About Using Exterior Paint on Interior Walls
1. Exterior paint is formulated differently than interior paint and should be used accordingly. Exterior paint is designed to protect against the outdoor elements, such as water, wind and UV rays. It contains a higher concentration of binders which form a tightly knit film around the pigments of color and also makes it more durable when exposed to heavy washing or scrubbing so that it withstands weathering better than interior paints. Interior paints are created with different formulations that focus on washability, hiding power (the ability to cover up existing marks) and color retention without fading over time.
2. One advantage to using exterior paints indoors is their high level durability – if you’re looking for something that won’t fade, flake or wear away easily, this type of paint can provide all those benefits without having a negative affect on surfaces beneath it like bubbling or blistering caused by moisture or extreme temperatures changes in the home (especially if you use an alkyd-based latex exterior primer beneath the paint).
3. Exterior paints provide high levels of protection against stains, grease and other markings that may accumulate on your walls from regular household use, such as cooking splatters in the kitchen or graffiti in the hallway. The binder content mentioned previously helps prevent such problems from occurring and provides ease for cleaning everyday messes more confidently.
4. When appropriately matched together with quality primers/sealers/finishes for resistant properties, exterior paints are great for areas with heavy foot traffic due to their struggle standing strong over time against scratches, scuffs and fingerprints left behind from daily living routines around busy households (i.e.; game rooms full of children or foyers welcoming lots of visitors).
5. If you’re looking to preserve the beauty in your walls longer than typical interior paints often allow; By utilizing specifically produced products and following manufacturer instructions carefully (i.e.; surface prep & sanding
