If there is one thing our culture is obsessed with, it is choices! Whether you are buying shampoo or coffee or orange juice, it seems like the options are limitless, and how do you even begin to choose?! That same feeling can be a problem when you walk into a paint store. With so many choices, where do you start? What kind of exterior paint should you get for your house?
There are many good paint brands available, so don’t worry too much about what name is on the can. Instead, consider the following aspects, and you will do well.
Acrylic Exterior House Paint
Most of the exterior paints that we think of as “water-based” are actually a latex/acrylic formula. When you purchase exterior house paint, the higher the percentage of acrylic in the recipe, the better. High quality paint companies offer 100% acrylic exterior house paint, which offers excellent performance and durability.
What Sheen to Choose
When choosing your exterior house paint, the sheen you select depends on the part of the house that will be painted. On your siding, it is generally best to go with a satin or eggshell finish. This low-gloss paint provides pleasant coloring and a slight sheen, but it does not draw attention to flaws or irregularities on the surface the way a glossier paint would do.
Semi-gloss exterior paint is best for window and door trim, eaves and fascia, doors and handrails. This provides them with a more durable surface, and it draws the eye to these special details and features.
Dry-film Thickness
One of the best indicators of paint quality is called the dry-film thickness. This is a measurement of how thick the coat of paint will be once it is dry. Good paints provide a little over 1 millimetre of dry-film thickness, while premium paints are more like 2 to 3 millimetres. This thicker coverage provides several benefits:
- Longer-lasting color
- Thorough color coverage in fewer coats
- Better protection for your surfaces against the elements
- Longer time before next paint job is needed
Keep in mind that the paints with thicker coverage do not go as far when spreading them on the walls. For example, a gallon of paint with 1.3 mil coverage might cover 450 square feet of wall space, while one with 2.5 mil may only cover 350 square feet. This means more cans of paint to finish the job. However, the fact that the paint will likely last you more years could be worth it.
Cherry Hill Painting
For over 50 years, Cherry Hill Painting has been serving New Jersey and the Philadelphia region. We offer a full range of interior and exterior painting services, as well as carpentry, wallpaper removal, and kitchen cabinet refinishing. We would be happy to advise you regarding the best exterior paint to use on your home. Contact us today for a free estimate for your house painting project; we look forward to meeting you!