Introduction to Using Exterior Paint for Interior Use
Using exterior paint for interior use can come with unique benefits and some shared drawbacks. Knowing when it is appropriate to use exterior paint on the interior of your home or business is important so you get the desired effect, while also protecting your wall surfaces from moisture and fading over time.
First and foremost, it’s important to note that there are two types of exterior paint: water-based acrylic latex and alkyd enamel. The first provides a better finish in most cases, though both varieties offer an excellent protection for walls from external elements when applied properly. In addition, exterior paints generally have more solids content than their interior counterparts—meaning they produce a thicker coating; this usually results in more vibrant colors after the application dries.
In terms of benefits, using exterior paint inside requires fewer coats since the product offers more coverage per coat. While certain limitations exist depending on climate considerations, interiors often can take advantage of this greater degree of coverage as well as its longer-lasting performance even if being exposed to less harsh conditions than an outdoor wall must endure. VOC levels are typically lower in many brands which helps keep air quality better during painting projects.
To ensure that any interior spaces benefit fully from the enhanced protection offered by these paints, appropriate primers should be used before applying them such as an oil or shellac-based one if either type was previously installed on the surface being painted over. Further good news is these products often hold up better with only light cleaning to remain looking good for years rather than regular scrubbing compared other finishes may require (or suffer) under similar maintenance regimes as triggered by high traffic areas indoors or atmospheric changes outdoors like prolonged direct sunlight or strong winds leading to cracking or peeling .
Before settling on any particular product it’s always smart to read manufacturer instructions carefully about proper preparation, application technique specific needs shouldn’t be overlooked either since some need careful consideration such as bathrooms where mobility const
What Type of Exterior Paint Should Be Used?
When it comes to choosing exterior paint there are a lot of things that need to be taken into consideration in order to make the right choice. Depending on your local climate, you may have different options available which should be looked into thoroughly before making a final purchase. Furthermore, along with types of paint and finishes, you also need to decide on sheens as well as bases that you want for your project.
To help narrow down your choices let’s start by looking at the type of surface you are trying to cover – this will be key in deciding which type of paint is best for use on the exterior of your home or commercial building.
1# Flat Paint – Flat paints do not give off a shiny finish and can be used on both wooden siding and stucco walls which are common types of exteriors. While flat paint is ideal for covering imperfections such as cracks and scaling, it does require more frequent maintenance than glossier paints because it tends to fade over time due to its poor UV light resistance properties.
2# Satin Paint – This popular finish provides low-gloss glow without too much shine like what glossier paints can give off. It is often used on wood siding; trim, doors, shutters and more which makes it an excellent choice when painting the outside of a home or office building. Despite its low-shine aspect, satin paints provide good washability and stain-resistance properties so there’ll likely be fewer cleanings required after its initial application compared with flatter paints mentioned above.
3# Semi-Gloss Paint – A semi-glos finish offers almost double the durability than other finishes like flat or satin whereas a higher layer of shine will help hide any existing imperfections in the wall since they’re not entirely covered up by the paint itself; plus it’s easier to clean from dirt or grime due to its smoother texture application
Benefits of Using Exterior Paint Inside
Using exterior paint inside your home can not only provide you with an aesthetic, cost-effective solution to liven up a tired space, but also has many other benefits. From greater durability and better coverage to advantages over interior paints… here are just a few of the benefits that come with using exterior paint indoors:
1. Increased Durability
One of the main advantages of using exterior paints indoors is their increased durability, as they’re designed for outdoor surfaces which need to withstand harsher conditions than those found inside your home. Exterior paint will help preserve the longevity of your surfaces, making them last much longer than when using interior paints.
2. Easy Maintenance
Exterior paint is also much easier to clean and maintain, due to its harder finish which prevents dirt from seeping into it over time. If you happen to get grime or dirt on one of your walls, all you’ll need to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth – no scrubbing required!
3. Better Coverage
Another benefit that comes with using exterior paint inside your home is better coverage compared to interior paints – this means you’ll save time on painting jobs in the long run because you won’t have to apply as many coats.
4. Affordable Option
Finally, another great reason why you should consider using exterior paint internally is that it tends to be less expensive per litre (when compared against higher quality wall coatings), which makes it an ideal budget option if there isn’t enough money leftover in the decorating pot!
Steps for Choosing the Right Exterior Paint for Interior Use
1. Know Your Needs: Before selecting a paint for interior use it is important to consider the needs of your project. This may include the desired look, finish, and any special properties like durability or sustainability that are required. It is also important to be sure that the surface you plan on applying the paint to is suitable as some paints are designed exclusively for exterior surfaces.
2. Choose By Interior Surface: Different surfaces call for different types of paint and specific coatings. For wood surfaces select an oil-based or alkyd resin-based product while walls made from drywall should have a latex paint applied with either a flat, eggshell, or satin finish. Brick, stone, or concrete require masonry paint while hardboard and other composite areas may need backing coatings along with primers before being painted entirely.
3. Analyze Paint Labels: Understanding the properties of interior paints can assist in narrowing down options for projects requiring specific characteristics such as washable paint for family rooms more susceptible to dirt accumulating on walls over time. Additionally, most labels will provide information about coverage rate and spreading ability which are essential elements when choosing two separate colors for an area being painted with both exterior and interior paints simultaneously.
4 Consider Colors & Finishes: When finding just the right color combination it can beneficial to observe different swatches firsthand instead of relying solely on digital representations on websites or phone apps due to slight discrepancies in hues when seen in person versus on electronic screens . Create optical tests with test strips that compare tints adjacent each other before finally committing if accuracy between shades is extremely important throughout a project’s entire layout or design scheme With sheen’s varying from high gloss down to flat finishes try swatches all over interiors surfaces first then appraise performance under indoor lighting across a wide period until comfortability with decisions are attained Alternatively low level sheens found within many exterior paints such as matte may provide an extra glint and zestful
Frequently Asked Questions About Using Exterior Paint Inside
Q: Is it safe to use exterior paint inside the home?
A: Generally speaking, using exterior paint indoors is not recommended. Exterior paints are formulated to be more durable and resistant to weather exposure; they contain higher levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other ingredients that may be harmful if inhaled in an enclosed space. Furthermore, different types of surfaces require different kinds of paint—exterior paint is designed to adhere on a variety of substrates like wood, metal, stucco, vinyl siding that would normally be found outdoors but cannot necessarily stand up to sustained exposure indoors. Depending on the type of substrate being painted, an interior-grade product may provide better coverage and durability for your project.
Q: Are there any exceptions when it’s acceptable or strongly advised to use exterior paint indoors?
A: In certain situations you might use an exterior-grade coating or finish when painting or refinishing items that will exist within the home—for example furniture or fixtures. To ensure safe application for your specific project make sure to consult the manufacturer directions for VOC content restrictions and any additional application instructions. Those with indoor allergies should proceed with caution as many VOCs can cause severe irritation when released from a fresh coat of paint.
Top 5 Facts You Should Know About Using Exterior Paint Indoors
1. Not All Exterior Paints are Suitable for Indoors – When it comes to choosing the right type of paint for painting indoors, not all exterior paints are suitable. It’s important to select a paint specifically designed for interior use as they will contain less volatile organic compounds than their exterior counterparts. Interior paints are also less likely to emit dangerous toxins upon drying and will have a much higher resistance to dirt and staining.
2. Listen To The Tipping Guidelines – Applying too much paint can be unsightly, leading to runs and drips in the finished product. To ensure that only the right amount of paint is used indoors, it’s best to abide by manufacturers tipping guidelines when rolling walls or ceiling surfaces with brushwork or mini rolls respectively.
3. Get Up Close & Personal – When priming and two-coating uneven surfaces like plasterboard, it’s essential that you apply sufficient paint so surface imperfections don’t show up once you apply your top coat of finish. Quality interior paints should provide smooth cover even over very bumpy or uneven surfaces; If not you may need an extra layer of primer beforehand..
4. Pay Attention To The Lingo – While there are many different types of exterior paints out there, the most popular tend to be those formulated with latex acrylic substances which have been engineered specifically for indoor use. VOC labels on tin cans indicate how stable compounds like these will remain in air after application has taken place; Lower VOC being more favourable than high ratings here!
5 .Don’t Forget About Sheen – Choice of sheen is extremely important when using any type of external/interior paint indoors too as different rooms require different levels depending on their purpose (for example little boy’s bedrooms often suit semi–gloss finishes better than full gloss). Furthermore lounges typically suit eggshell finishes due to wanting low glares from indirect lighting sources Moreover some studies
