What Type of Exterior House Paint is Best for Your Climate?

When the time comes to repaint your home’s exterior, the right materials can go a long way towards protecting your home from things like mold, mildew and insects are attributable to the quality of the paint and its titanium dioxide level. However, the weather is one of the biggest detriments to your home’s paint and its longevity. Its constant exposure to the elements can be a major contributor to damage and fading.

To help keep your house’s exterior looking fresh and new, there are a number of different types of paints and techniques specifically designed to protect in different climates. Knowing what these methods are can help you choose the right one for your area’s weather. In this article, we have laid out some common climate characteristics and what should be used to protect your house from them.

Cold Climates

One of the most important things to do if your home regularly experiences cold weather is apply a high-quality primer before painting. High adhesion primer will help the paint stick to the surface of the house and last a lot longer when the temperatures get low. It will also help prevent chipping and cracking from icy buildup and heavy snow.

For best results, also consider using specific low-temperature paints for your final coats. There are a number of products called “cold-set” paints that are designed to last in low temperatures. Many of these paints will include special curing agents which promote the correct cure rate and help the coats dry harder and make them more durable in colder climates.

Related Topic: Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Exterior Paint

Hot Climates

The biggest issue you will encounter with paint in a hot climate is exposure to the sun. The sun emits UV rays, which can cause paint to fade quickly and make your home’s exterior look dull. It can also cause problems like curling and cracking when the temperatures soar.

There are many types of UV-resistant paint that are formulated to keep their color even with a lot of exposure to the sun. Standard paint will fade at a rate of about 7% per year if it is often exposed to direct sunlight. In contrast, UV-resistant paint fades at around 2% per year. This gives you a lot more life and bold color out of a coat of paint in a hot climate.

Highs and Lows

Climates that have extreme temperature variations can be brutal on exterior home paint jobs. The constant cycling of hot and cold can lead to fading, chipping, and peeling. In these cases, 100% acrylic paint is going to be your best bet.

100% acrylic paint is durable and has a high adhesion to the surface of the home. This allows it to hold on to the wood and be more reliable in the event of extreme weather conditions. It will also keep moisture from settling into the wood and growing mold when the weather heats up again.

Paint as Protection Against Weather and Insect Damage

Rainy Climates

For people who live in rainy areas, mold and mildew can be a huge problem. Not only can it cause damage to the house, it can also lead to a variety of health problems like allergies and lung irritation. Mitigating mold should be the number one priority for homeowners who live in wet climates.

Mildew-resistant paint is a great way to keep moisture from turning into harmful spores. Generally used on the interior of a home in places like bathrooms, it is also a great option for exteriors when you want to ensure that your house will be protected from mold and bacteria.

Knowing what types of paint will be the best for different climates can help you make the right decision for your particular house. Wherever your primary home or vacation house might be, Five Star Painting can help you pick out the most suitable paint for your climate. Our professional technicians can come up with a solution and keep your home looking fresh and new no matter what the weather is like. Find a location near you to get started!