If you are thinking of getting your house repainted, there are many things you must read up on. If you go to buy paint without obtaining appropriate information, you are very likely to pay too much for substandard paint. If you plan to hire a paint contractor to do the job for you, it is all the more important to be informed yourself.
Different types of paint are used for covering the walls on the interior and exterior of the house. The interior of the house is usually well protected from external atmospheric conditions. For instance, exterior walls come in direct contact with heat, sunlight (UV rays) and rain (which often contains acidic content). These factors can prove to be quite damaging in the long run. If you use substandard paint for the exterior of the house, it is going to peel off within a couple of years. That is why high performance paint is used. Here are different types of paint that you can purchase:
Water Based Paints
Nowadays, many paint manufacturers provide new products that use VOCs, also known as Volatile Organic Compounds. However, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) claims that VOCs are not exactly safe for your health. Traditionally, home owners had to make a selection between water or oil based paints. However, oil paints have higher VOC levels. That is why water based paints are more common.
Water based high performance paint contains lower VOCs. It is also quite easy to clean (all you need is a bucket of water and a piece of cloth to get started!). Also, water based paint dries much quicker than other types of paint and doesn?t crack quite easily since it has a flexible finish. Perhaps one of the best reasons why so many people now opt for water based paints is because it retains its color over time and doesn?t develop a yellowish tinge.
Oil Based Paints
Oil based paints are becoming quite outdated, especially since the EPA published its research. However, they have certain advantages too. For instance, oil based paints have an attractive gloss. They also have a much greater ?leveling? as compared to water based paints. The strokes automatically fill the empty spaces in order to create a smooth external finish. Oil based high performance paint provides a robust, durable finish that lasts for a longer period of time.
However, oil based paints are not as common nowadays. Water based paints are cheaper and more readily available. Moreover, you can also apply them easily using a standard roller. Make sure you talk to the painting contractor and devise a proper painting schedule before the job begins.
