Using Interior Paint On The Exterior: Risks and Recommendations
Using the right paint for your home matters, especially in a place like Atkinson, where the weather can be unpredictable. You might wonder, can I use interior paint on the exterior? It’s a common question, especially if you have leftover paint in the garage. While it may seem like an easy solution, using interior paint outside can cause more problems than you’d expect. Here’s what you need to know before you grab that paintbrush.
How Is Interior Paint Different from Exterior Paint?
Here are key factors that separate the two and directly impact their durability and performance:
Color That Lasts
- When painting any surface, you want the color to stay vibrant for years. One big difference between interior and exterior paint is the type of pigment used.
Interior paints often use organic pigments, which fade faster when exposed to sunlight. Exterior paints, on the other hand, are made with pigments that can handle harsh weather and direct sun, keeping the color brighter for longer.
Adhesion and Durability
- Binders in paint act like glue, helping the pigment stick to the surface. Interior paint contains binders designed to resist everyday wear, like scuffs or scrapes from furniture.
Exterior paint, on the other hand, uses stronger binders. These prevent cracking and peeling under extreme weather conditions. They also provide better moisture protection, making the paint last longer outside.
Chemical Composition
- Both interior and exterior paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals help paint spread smoothly but can pose health risks, such as eye irritation, headaches, and dizziness.
Interior paints have lower VOC levels, making them safer for indoor use. Exterior paints contain more VOCs to withstand outdoor conditions, making them unsafe for indoor use. Trapping those chemicals inside could lead to harmful exposure over time.
Thickness and Coverage
- Another major difference between the two is consistency. Interior paint is thinner, meaning you’d need multiple coats to cover an outdoor surface fully. It also dries more slowly when exposed to outdoor air.
Exterior paint is thicker and covers surfaces more efficiently. With just a couple of coats, it provides a durable finish that withstands the elements.
What Happens If You Use Interior Paint Outside?
Here’s what you can expect if you use interior paint outdoors:
1. The Paint Will Fade Quickly
- Interior paint isn’t formulated to resist sunlight. When exposed to direct UV rays, the pigments in the paint begin to break down, causing the color to fade. Bright, bold colors are especially prone to fading, leaving your once-vibrant surface looking dull and washed out.
2. Peeling and Cracking Are Inevitable
- Hot summers, cold winters, rain, and wind all put pressure on painted surfaces. Interior paint lacks the flexible binders needed to expand and contract with these changes. As a result, the paint will start to crack and peel away, especially on wood or other porous materials.
3. Moisture Will Cause Bubbling
- Exterior surfaces are exposed to moisture from rain, humidity, and even morning dew. Interior paint does not have the waterproofing properties needed to repel this moisture. Over time, water can seep beneath the paint layer, causing it to bubble and lift from the surface. Once this happens, the paint begins to deteriorate quickly.
In short, using interior paint outdoors can lead to problems and costly repainting. If you want your exterior surfaces in Atkinson to stay beautiful and protected, always choose high-quality exterior paint designed for the job.
Give your home the professional treatment it deserves with our exterior painting services. Experience Neat, Efficient, and Professional service with Miles Makarowski Painting. Call us today at (603) 489-8802 for a complimentary estimate. We are located in Atkinson, NH.