How to Decide On An Exterior Paint For Your Home.

Painting a home exterior is necessary in order to protect the surface material. It will also increase the value of your home by providing a pleasing exterior and by guaranteeing good maintenance. Painting is one of the easiest and most satisfying home-improvement project.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. What color you choose for the exterior of your home is a matter of personal taste.
   
   Make sure it highlights the best features of your home and blends well with the surroundings.
   
   Your selection of paint, however, must be suitable for the kind of surface you will be painting.

2. LATEX PAINTS are the easiest to apply. They bond well and clean up easily with soap and water.
   
   Latex paint breathes so there is seldom any moisture build-up under the paint to mar the surface or create future problems.
   
   Latex paints resist fading and dry so fast that two coats can be applied on the same day.
   
   The only drawback of latex is that it stains more easily and does not do well with more than very light scrubbing.

3. OIL-BASED PAINT provides the greatest protection against the elements.
   
   It is most commonly used for trims or metal detail on grills or railings.
   
   Oil-based paint does seal in moisture and may be more prone to chipping or cracking as it becomes more rigid when dry.
   
   Oil-based paints are harder to work with than latex. They must be thinned with turpentine or other solvents. Cleanup also requires turpentine.

4. Other finishes used on exteriors include concrete paints, metallic paints, bituminous paints and of course stains.
   
   CONCRETE PAINT is used on patios, walkways, driveways and any floor that gets hard use.
   Concrete paint is an oil-based product that penetrates the surface and provides a superior protective barrier against dirt and weather.
   
   METALLIC PAINTS have aluminum or other metal particles.
   They are high gloss and bond well to metal surfaces such as ducts and pipes. Non-metallic paints can also be used on metal surfaces provided they have been primed correctly.
   
   BITUMINOUS PAINTS are used for covering any functional metal surface. They are usually black and considered more for industrial than home use.
   
   EXTERIOR STAINS are used on wood siding or shingles. Some are essentially clear sealers. These are the natural stains.
   Then there are the pigmented stains which can have either a latex or oil base.
   
   Solid color pigment stains cover the surface with a color but it is opaque and the texture of the wood still shows through.
   
   Transparent pigmented stains do have some color but the wood grain and texture are still visible as well as some of the natural color of the wood itself.

5. PRIMING is not necessary if the existing paint surface is clean and well-maintained.
   
   However, if the previous surface has deteriorated, you will need to prime for your job to be a success.
   
   Whatever materials you are working with, make sure they are compatible with your exterior.
   
   Red label instructions. If no specific primer is suggested, use whatever matches the finishing coat you are going to apply.

Tips & Warnings

• Even though you have better ventilation when working outside, always wear protective goggles, gloves, and clothing.
• Wear non-skid shoes around ladders and set your ladder properly for the work you are doing.