Do you find it a challenge to know what paint is best for outside walls? Exterior paints come in a wide range of colors and qualities. You need to consider several factors before buying them. For example, on furniture, shutters, a section of wall, or the facade, the paint gives character and changes the style of the exterior decoration.
What type of exterior paint finish is best?
If you expose the paint to harsh tests, especially the vagaries of the weather, the paint must stand the test of time.
Best Paint for Outside Walls
Depending on the surface, its quality and color must be chosen carefully. In order to preserve the appearance of the exterior paint, good preparation is important. To repaint a facade, count one liter of exterior paint for every 3 to 8 square meters.
That is depending on whether the paint is class D2 (thin films) or class D3 (thick films). As for budget, the price of exterior paint varies greatly, depending on the finish. Follow these tips and make the right choices for your exterior paint.
Take Stock of the Various Exterior Paints
A glycerol exterior paint is suitable for rough, floury backgrounds. Two coats are necessary, without primer, with a minimum of 24 hours between coats. The downsides of glycerol are that it smells strong, and remains harmful to the environment.
You can also clean it with white spirit. On the other hand, exterior acrylic paint, when you dilute it with water, emits very few VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and fewer odors. You can apply it during the day, with 3 or 4 hours between coats.
Other paints now exist, which combine technical performance and respect for the environment. Siloxane acrylic paint is ideal for a façade with self-washing and hydrophobic qualities (it rejects water). On the environmental side, depolluting paints are in the process of being installed. Depolluting paint captures molecules and rejects them as CO2.
Depending on the paint you choose and the surface you want to paint, the equipment you need will not be the same. Refer to the instructions on the paint pot to use the appropriate rollers or brushes.
Pay Special Attention to the Finish of the Exterior Paintwork
If a facade is always matt, the rest of the garden elements offer other finishing possibilities: velvet, glossy or satin, the appearance is not the same. Beyond aesthetics, the choice of finish for exterior painting also depends on more technical criteria. Outside, if there is dust, pollen and rain marks, the paint is damaged.
Instead, opt for a matt or satin finish to conceal any small defects in the substrate. The glossier the finish, the more imperfections are visible. Application is also more difficult, with the risk of leaving roller marks. One of the main advantages of glossy exterior paint is that it is easier to clean.
Create Continuity of Style between Interior and Exterior Space
Before you decide on the exterior paint, look at the colors present in the house or apartment. Even if it’s not to reproduce the style identically, the best idea is to create a continuity with the rooms adjoining the garden or terrace.
Dare to indulge yourself by opting for exterior paint colors that are a little more cheerful. For instance, you can pick yellow or pink, which are always in harmony with the dominant tones in interior decoration. Forget the fear of getting bored and have fun changing colors at will, outside too.
Prepare Well For the Application of Exterior Paint
Before you decide on exterior painting, the most important thing is to look carefully at the material you want to paint on. Wood, iron or PVC, each type of surface requires separate preparation. They must in all cases be clean, dry and sound.
The surface you want to paint must be very clean. On a wall or on wood, you can remove impurities with a high-pressure cleaner by approaching carefully to avoid whole pieces coming off. If certain areas are scratched, it is necessary to use plaster or cement. On metal furniture, apply an anti-rust undercoat.
For shutters, it is best to sand them. For example, you can hire a company that will remove the various layers of paint present. Once the surface is ready for painting, an undercoat can be useful depending on the original color and the color you desire.
For the best results, you should apply the the paint with an outside temperature of at least 10 degrees, dry and windless weather, to prevent dust from sticking. Also, beware of summer sunshine and excessively high temperatures. They can accelerate drying and cause the paint to crack.
Choosing the Right Color For Outdoor Paint
On shutters or furniture, the exterior color will lighten over time. With the sun, the paint takes on a patina. It’s best to choose the shade above the one you want. It’s also a chance to have a bit of fun with colors. Between very grey or very sunny days, climatic variations offer a wide range of different lights.
The shadows will also create reflections in the paint.
Like the rest of the house, the exterior painting can also be an opportunity to visually modify the space. On small terraces or in courtyards, it’s best to avoid shades of green that absorb light. In a narrow garden, the color is found on a sidewall or with a return on part of the wall to give an illusion of space.
In the same way, you can reduce a very high wall by applying color only to the bottom of the wall. Depending on the structure of the terrace or garden, take advantage of the application of an exterior paint to make the most of the space.
Conclusion: What Paint Is Best For Outside Walls
Before repainting the facade of your house, also think about going to the town hall to find out if your municipality has any color constraints. Some towns or villages impose a range of tones or specific colors for visual consistency.
