Are you making up your mind to rejuvenate your home’s appearance and looksmaxx it from inside out via a paintjob?
If yes then you must acknowledge the case of Micheal so that you don’t end up ruining your haven and washing away your hard-earned money.
| The story begins with Micheal- a California, USA homeowner who also went forward with the same, optimistic idea to transform the interior of his house. |
| The project was completed within the timeframe, family members were elated, everything’s going fine until the family started having perpetual health issues such as headaches, nausea, eyes & nose irritation, difficulty in breathing. |
| After continuous checkups and followups, it was found that they were breathing volatile organic compounds (component of exterior paints)and strong chemical odour that was present in the interior wall-paint. |
Lack of knowing the difference between interior and exterior painting resulted for Micheal in an unintentional and uninvited catastrophe that not only affected the appeal of the house but immunity of his family.
After understanding the gravity of this matter, we have come up with an optimal guide for our valued readers that will help them in understanding the key differences between interior and exterior house painting and how to achieve fabulous finish.
So, be our guest, explore this thoroughly-researched write up for a seamless and flawless house painting.
Interior Vs. Exterior Painting: Key Differences
The major contrast between interior and exterior paints resides in their chemical formulations, tailored for the specific environmental stresses of their intended locations, and the resulting performance characteristics.
For quick, coherent and better understanding of the chief differences between interior and exterior painting, you can consider the following table.
| Features | Interior Paint | Exterior Paint |
| Intended Use | Indoor surfaces in a controlled environment | Outdoor surfaces open to weather and sun. |
| VOC Levels | Less or Zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) for clean indoor air quality. | High VOC, as off-gassing holds less significance outdoor |
| Flexibility | Scuff and physical damage resistant; possesses more right resins.(for ex. Living rooms, in hallways) | Tender, rich in flexible resins, ability to expand and contract with temperature fluctuations without cracking or peeling. |
| UV Resistance | Direct sunlight is enemy; not formulated for UV resistance | Embraces direct sunlight with the help of UV blockers and fade-resistancy abilities. |
| Moisture/Mildew | Medium mildew immunity, not designed for heavy moisture. (shows some resistance in specific finishes such as bathrooms/kitchens) | Charged with robust mildewcides and fungicides. Protect with mold and mildew growth in humid and wet conditions. |
| Durability Focus | Prioritizes resisting stains, scrubbing, and general indoor wear and tear. | Skilled in resisting weather elements (rain, wind, snow), fading, peeling, and chipping. |
| Aesthetic/ Finish | Offers a wide range of finishes (flat to high gloss), rich in aesthetic appeal and easy cleaning. | Limited finish options as it focuses on protective qualities. |
Hence, interior and exterior paints are devised to cater different needs, swapping them is sure shot to catastrophe. Don’t let your whim curse your home’s beauty.
Interior and Exterior House Painting: Key Considerations
As you know now that Interior and exterior house painting characteristics are opposite to each other and how they are engineered to serve different purposes, it’s time to understand what to consider in the respective paintings.
Interior House Painting
Interior house painting – an activity that sounds fun like choosing the color but has its own intricacies such as considering the kind of paint to use, prep work to carry out, surrounding conditions with potential problems with the systems and surfaces.
For instance,
Flat/Matte for a non-reflective finish; used on ceilings and low-tariff areas to camouflage flaws and imperfections.
Eggshell for soft-sheen finish; can be leveraged in the living room and dining area.
Satin is recommended for bathrooms and kitchens because of its moisture-resistant properties and cleanable surfaces. This finish has slight gloss and it can withstand dirt, grease, and grime.
Semi-Gloss/Gloss is suitable for trim, doors, and high-traffic areas as this finish is super durable/moderate moisture finish.
Additionally, interior painting also introduces a few common challenges such as right color selection that look differently in multiple lighting conditions.
You may have to move furniture and fixtures to prevent unintentional point spatter and surface defects for a smoother finish.
Exterior House Painting
Exterior house painting not only uplifts the curb appeal of your home but acts as a protective layer against harsh environmental elements.
Therefore, to boast an aesthetically pleasing exterior and a job that lasts, there are few elements to ponder about such as paint formulation, prep work including cleaning, repairing, and priming, and seasonal timing.
Additionally, the exterior painting process mandates apparatus and safety requirements such as ladders and scaffolding, protective gear, quality brushes and rollers.
To carry out a successful exterior painting project, it is important to have the right tools and comply with necessary safety requirements.
Choosing the Right Painting Company
Do you know what’s the only alternative to choosing the painting company? It is choosing the right painting company.
To ensure that your “home sweet home” remains young and vigorous inside out till the apocalypse, also to be the overarching source of heartwarming memories, hiring a reputable painting company is indispensable.
But how would I know that it is “the” company? What qualities should I look for?
Don’t worry as the following considerations will make you a master of it!
- First, seek a company with ample experience in both interior and exterior painting; a proven track record.
- Licensing and insurance is a green flag; if a company provides liability insurance to safeguard you in the case of unexpected damages/ accidents, it can be your soulmate company.
- Clear the air by contemplating reviews and asking for reviews to determine the authenticity and quality of the job.
- Ask for written and detailed cohesive estimate stitching scope of work, materials, and time frame of the project for better comparison.
Apart from this, you can also charm or overwhelm the contractors with some smart and conscious questions. The objective of these mere questions is to promote transparency and establish clear expectations (Must try this!)
| What type and quality of materials (paint & other components) do you use? |
| Can you provide a written and detailed timelines of this project? |
| Do you also offer a guarantee or warranty on the paint job? |
| How do you ease out unforeseen issues that may arise during the project? |
How to Ensure a Flawless Finish?
“Perfection is an illusion” but if you wish to prove that saying wrong, especially in your case with our tip-top house paint, you have to proactively adhere to some of the best practices at each stage of the painting process.
Preparation is the Key
A flawless paint job starts to sound good with proper preparation. Therefore, ensure cleaning all surfaces, repairing holes and rough areas using primer where required.
Paint Quality Makes a Difference
Better quality, better coverage, better pigments, better fade, better stain resistance, everything’s better start with investing in high-grade paints.
So, the crux of the matter is evident, for an eye-catching paint job and durability, you have to be a little extravagant.
Precision and Technique
In the term “professional”, the letter “P” stands for precision and technique. Maybe that’s why they will be able to notch the final outcome that appears smooth and clean.
- Right utilization of appropriate brushes & rollers.
- Maintaining a wet edge of the product to avoid paint lap marks.
- Leveraging multiple coats of paints in spite of a single thicker coat.
- Allowing for drying and curing time in between coats appropriately; leading to drip-free or any imperfections.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the key contrast between the interior and exterior painting holds significance as it can make a big difference in your project outcome such as choosing the correct materials and techniques.
Also, potent practices such as proper preparation, leveraging high quality paint manifests into great finish and shields your home from inclement weather.
Lastly, always hire a reputable painting company that harmoniously blends your vision with their years of expertise to ensure that the finished look fits precisely into your expectation frame.
