Interior & Exterior Paint: What You Need to Know
By
Painters USA Team — Last updated December 19, 2022
At first glance, interior and exterior paint may seem to share more similarities than differences, and while that may be partially true, the differences between the two paints is vital to understand when undertaking painting jobs or hiring a painting contractor.
Before you can fully understand the important differences between interior and exterior paint, it’s helpful to first know the basic elements that make up every paint type:
- Solvents provide moisture and evaporate as paint dries. Solvent elements like water (for latex-based paints) or mineral spirits (for oil-based paints) make paint wet and applicable.
- Pigments, as you might expect, supply the actual color of paint. Pigment is usually added as a powder and does not dissolve like solvent, but is bound to the wall for lasting color.
- Resin is a binding agent that holds pigment to the wall after it is applied. Resin is usually made out of acrylic, silicone or epoxy.
- Additives are chemicals that supply additional benefits to paint depending on the purpose of the paint. For example, some additives prevent fading color or mildew, while others make painted surfaces easier to clean or chip-resistant. There are a variety of additives that serve many purposes.
Now that we understand the basic elements of every paint, let’s look at what makes exterior and interior paints unique. The major difference difference lies, for the most part, in the binding resin. Because exterior paints must be flexible and adaptable with temperature changes and exposure to moisture or other natural elements, the binding resins used in exterior paint must have exceptional resistance to peeling and chipping. Along with this major difference, here are a few additional elements that make exterior and interior paint unique:
Unique Elements of Interior Paint:
- Easier to clean or remove
- Higher resistance to splatters and scuffs
- Includes additives that provide consistent coverage
- Stain- resistant
- Blends with and hides small error marks from roller brushes
Unique Elements of Exterior Paint:
- Includes additives that increase durability and resistance to mildew
- Increased pigment and resin for longer-lasting color in the face of harsh natural elements
- Anti-fade UV protection from continuous sunlight exposure
- Able to withstand extreme and frequent temperature and moisture changes
- Includes additional fungicides and pesticides
With a good grasp of exterior and interior paints, you should be able to better understand the importance of using the right paint for the right location. For example, exterior paint that releases more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be very harmful in an interior setting and will typically scuff more easily. Conversely, interior paint on an exterior surface will be much more susceptible to mildew and will easily peel or chip in the face of fluctuations in temperature or moisture.
Whether you are looking for exterior or interior painting contractor, look no further than Arlington-based Tex Pro Painters. We provide quality, professional painting services to meet all of your commercial painting needs. Our highly trained contractors are available to travel anywhere in the Dallas / Fort Worth area or nationwide. If you have questions or would like a detailed quote, check out our commercial painting services or give us a call at (817) 962-0551 today.
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