Knowing the difference between interior and exterior paints will ensure a more successful paint job. Interior paint is made to be more resistant to physical damage, washable, and prevent dampness. Exterior paint is exposed to all types of bearing weather conditions like sun, wind and water, and humidity.
All About Interior and Exterior Paints
House painting, in the broadest sense of the term, has been a practice for thousands of decades. The world’s oldest cave paintings dated more than 40,000 years to the Ice Age Sherwin, Williams & Co. was the first who introduced the first commercially produced paint in 1866. Today, water-based acrylics and latex paints make DIY house painting easier than ever. Understanding the difference between interior and exterior paints assures a more successful paint job. Exterior paint can be inclement with the weather condition and can resist mold, mildew, fading, cracking, chipping, and more. Interior paint is also made with chemicals that are safer in a closed space. The advancements in the chemistry of paints is important to understand before selecting the paint colors. It is important to understand the impact on physical and mental health that they hold both in interior and exterior decor. Read and take a closer look at how it impacts your living and what are the reasons behind classifying the exterior stucco paints and interior paints. Once you will understand, it would be easier for you to understand how they are different from each other.
Different environments: Interior paint has more to do with aesthetics and decoration. That is the reason why it is made to be scrubbed and resist staining. Interior paint is made to be more resistant to physical damage, washable, and prevent dampness. On the other hand, exterior paint is exposed to all types of bearing weather conditions like sun, wind and water, and humidity. Hence, they required extra protection against UV Rays, fungus; growth, and dampness having more resin, pigment, and resilient additives.
Fade Resistant: Interior Paint is not fade resistant. They are not exposed to extreme temperatures. Hence, they do not fade easily. Whereas, exterior paints have to be fade resistant as they are exposed to very high temperatures and UV Radiation.
Resin: Resin is also known as a binder. It is an organic substance that adheres to the pigment to the surface. The resin used for interior paint is more rigid because it does not have to deal with extreme differences. The resins allow interior paint to be less prone to damage from scuffing and are Coeasy to clean as well. Whereas, the resin used for exterior paint is flexible so that they survive temperature changes and ill effects that cause due by moisture. They should not easily expand or contract the surface. Exterior paint must resist to peeling, chipping, and fading from Sunlight. And that is why, the resins used in binding exterior paints must be mild and soft.
Curing: Interior paint get cured without direct exposure to sunlight. Whereas, exterior paint needs sunlight to cure.
Additives: Interior Paint does not require additives like Pesticides and Fungicides. Whereas, some exterior paints contain many additives like pesticides and fungicides and that’s why they need sunlight to cure.
VOC: For those who are new, VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. VOC is an essential toxin that damages the overall health of people who remain exposed to the paint for a longer period of time. Interior paint should have low or Zero VOC. This is important in preserving the air quality in your home or workspace. Low or zero VOC helps to reduce health risks whereas, some exterior paints release more VOCs while curing and that’s why exterior paints are not safe for indoor use.
Outgassing: The term outgassing refers to the release of gas after the application of paint. Interior paints are much more delicate than exterior paints. However, it is interesting to note that interior paints do not outgas. Hence, interior paints are much safe for indoor use. Whereas the added resin in exterior paint can cause outgassing that can last up to 48 hours, but usually continues in small amounts for years. This is also one of the reasons that you should not use exterior paint indoors.
Properties: Interior paint is designed to withstand abrasion. Whereas, exterior paint must be stronger and should resist, peel, and chipping.
Scuffing: Scuffing is known as rubbing or brushing the surface. The resins in interior paint are less prone to loss from scuffing and also at ease to clean. Whereas, exterior paint is surprisingly more prone to scuffing and scratches.
Pigment: Interior paint contains less pigment as compared to exterior paint. Whereas, exterior paint consists of more pigment as compared to interior paint.
Water Resistance: Interior paint is washable so as to clean spots, and marks that are accidentally made by small kids and pets at home. Exterior paints are water resistant. Hence, they are made waterproof.
Can we use Interior and Exterior Paints Vice-Versa?
There are some paints available in the market that can be used on interior and exterior surfaces but it also has their own disadvantages. Now the obvious question that will come to your mind is, can we used interior paint on outdoor surfaces or vice-versa?
The simple answer is No! Interior and Exterior paints are classified on the basis of properties, purpose, and uses. Hence, cannot be used in place of another. You might think that because exterior paints are tougher and are able to strengthen more, they would perform well in the interior setting too, but this is not the case. In fact, it shouldn’t tend to scuff and get scratched easily. Something that is not easy to notice. When it is on the exterior of your home but very noticeable indoors there is also a fact that exterior paint releases more VOCs into the air when used indoors, this can be quite dangerous and can lead to suburb allergies. On the other hand, using interior paint outdoors, resulting peeling and cracking due to changing temperatures.
Exterior stucco paints specializes in painting both residential and commercial buildings. As the last point, it’s important to know that some paints can be used for both interior and exterior purposes. These paints have several drawbacks yet can be quite practical and adaptable. When in doubt, consult a professional painter or stop by our exterior Stucco paints to
