Premium Exterior Paint: Looks Better & Costs Less In The Long Run

Premium Exterior Paint: Looks Better & Costs Less In The Long Run

Although we're told not to judge a book by its cover, the fact is that everyone makes judgments on appearances. For practically every structure, the quality of the exterior paint has a huge impact on the way it's perceived. Choosing a high-quality exterior paint can enhance and prolong the attractiveness of any home or building, as well as lower maintenance costs and save money.

One of the major differences between exterior and interior paints GSL Painting uses is that exterior paints have tremendous demands placed on them. Not only are they used on a wide range of surfaces (wood, masonry, metal), but they must endure the effects of Alaska’s harsh outdoor weather conditions.

Because of the wide variety of surfaces and the need to be more durable and resistant, exterior paints tend to be more expensive. The reason: exterior paints contain higher levels of quality pigments and resins (binders).

Qualities of a Quality Exterior Paint

Although many performance characteristics are desirable in an exterior paint, the following are particularly important:

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• Adhesion
• Color and gloss retention
• Resistance to chalking, dirt pick-up and mildew

For a paint to have these attributes, premium ingredients need to be used, such as:

• High levels of high-hiding pigments
• Durable pigments that resist chalking and fading
• Abundant binders to help paint adhere to the surface
• Less liquids or other thinners
• Additives that enhance flow, leveling and mildew resistance

  Exterior Color Considerations

  No matter how well a paint is made, certain colors are more affected by the outside environment than others. The amount of ultraviolet (UV) light absorbed or reflected by a color affects how long that color maintains its integrity and how long the paint lasts.

  While dark colors can provide a nice contrast and highlight architectural detail, they are more prone to fading, as they absorb sunlight and heat, which makes them more difficult to touch up. Light colors, on the other hand, reflect UV light so they stay cooler, last longer, resist fading and are easier to touch up.

  Organic vs. Inorganic Colors
  

  Inorganic colors (beiges, browns, tans and other earth-tone colors) are more stable on exterior exposures, as the pigments used in these colors are less likely to break down than the pigments in organic colors (reds, blues, greens and yellows.) Some colors are alkali-sensitive and should not be used on highly alkaline surfaces, such as new masonry. Most paint manufacturers have symbols or icons printed on the color chips that provide this information.

  Overall, high-quality paint has a longer life, which makes the cost per year less when prorated over the life of the paint job. GSL Painting professionals properly prepare surfaces and use the right application tools so that paint upkeep is reduced and repainting is needed less often.
  

  It's clear that premium paints apply better, provide a more professional look, resist peeling, chipping and fading, and offer performance not found in lower-grade paints. Plus, considering that you'll need far fewer touch ups and repainting, you'll actually be ahead of the game.
  

  The professional painters at GSL Painting LLC of Alaska use superior exterior paints that come with a 25 year to lifetime manufacturer warranty. Contact us today by phone 907.205.0590 or use our Contact Us page and see what we can do for you.