Seven Things to Consider Before Choosing Your Exterior Wall Paint

Painting your home’s exterior is the most impactful yet cost-effective way to improve the look of your house. Paints for the exterior walls, however, must fulfil several purposes in order to protect the home from the constantly changing environmental conditions. Here are some things to consider before choosing exterior wall paints.

Safe Environment

When choosing exterior wall paints, look for those that have a low VOC content. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are hazardous chemicals that are harmful to both the environment and humans. Look at the product's features or label to check the VOC levels. To help contribute to a more sustainable future, look for the Green Pro Certified logo on products.

 Antifungal paints are effective at preventing the growth of fungi and mildew that can cause respiratory problems. Choose antibacterial paints to also reduce the threat of infections brought on by the pandemic. Paint has an odour that is caused by air pollutants that are present in it. To keep the environment free of pollutants, choose paints with odourless qualities, such as formaldehyde reduction capabilities.

Durability

The harshest elements, such as UV radiation, wind-blown, rain and dust, affect the exterior of your home. The durability of the paint determines how well your paint work stands up to these elements. Choose paints that are reinforced with microfibers to give it more strength. Paints with silica aggregates are particularly good at hiding flaws and roughness on the walls.

You don't want your walls to look worn out a few months after painting. Choose paints with strong adhesive properties to avoid such rapid deterioration. These paints bond strongly with the surface, extending the paint's lifespan.

Quality of Paint

The quality of the paint and the number of years of warranty that come with it determine the longevity and health of the walls. The longer the warranty, the more durable the paint. With Berger exterior paints, you can even choose emulsions with 10-year warranty. Select options that have anti-fungal and anti-algal properties or those that have best-in-class dirt and water repellent properties.

Colours

Investing in high-quality paint can help alleviate concerns about the colours you choose will fade quickly. Polyurethane-based paints have a superior finish and keep colours looking fresh for more than ten years. For better colour retention, use a top coat with a higher coverage undercoat.

Warm colours like red, orange, and yellow help to keep the heat inside. Cool colours like blue, green, and light violet can help keep the temperature inside the house cool. View Berger Paints colour catalogue for suggestions on combinations and options for exterior textures for even more ideas on natural, warm, and cool colour schemes.

Proofing Solutions

Nothing disintegrates faster than a damp wall. Without the proper proofing, damp walls start to disintegrate and become breeding grounds for microbes. Hence, it’s always better to choose exterior wall paints designed with polyurethane (PU) and Silicon Technology to provide excellent water repellent qualities and protection against heavy rain. 

Exterior wall paints must be able to withstand all types of weather conditions to stand the test of time. For example, walls should be able to endure hot summers without cracking or peeling. Use paints with Stay Clean formulation, designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions.

Dust Resistance

One of the disadvantages of city life is the dust. We wear masks to protect ourselves, and our walls should be equally protected with dust-resistant exterior paints. To prevent dust from settling on the walls, use paints with Dust Guard technology. These paints have unique dust repellent properties. Paints with a unique polymer composition to remove dust are also available.

Paint Finish

Exterior wall paints are available in a variety of finishes, including high sheen, matte, and smooth, all of which can add to the beauty of your home. Paints with a matte finish are more resistant to wall damage, such as cracking. You can also select the finish based on the gloss levels listed in the product specifications. Paints with a higher gloss level have a stronger film, are sturdier, and are less likely to absorb water.

While each step of painting the exteriors of your home is important, starting with the right type of high-quality paint can make your job a lot easier and faster. Painting services can also help you choose high-quality paint by understanding the paint characteristics you desire.