High-Performance Exterior Painting

Exterior painting contractors are often challenged by the varying conditions and requirements posed by exterior painting projects. Through the years, the lessons learned at each completed project have advanced the paint technology. As a result of these advances, today's exterior paints cater to nearly every condition ever encountered during exterior painting project implementations.Location-Driven Paint Considerations


Exterior painting contractors and paint manufacturers agree that one of the most common conditions that often have to be met when it comes to exterior painting projects is the one dictated by location. Geographical differences are apparent in construction styles and material preferences. Location therefore dictates the selection of exterior paint to be used.

For instance, the Southwest is the home of masonry and stucco exteriors. These substrates require primers and top coats appropriate for cementitious materials. In the Southeast, weather-resistant formulations are used by exterior painting contractors to withstand year-long exposure to wind and rain. In mountainous locations, on the other hand, sun-resistant and UV-absorbing resinous formulations are used.

Weather-Proof Exterior Coatings

Paint manufacturers have also developed formulations to cater to another major factor influencing projects - the weather. Climatic variables surrounding the project are considered by exterior painting contractors when selecting the products to use. It even influences the application and methods that they can use.

Climates that produce high levels of UV rays are often applied with elastomeric-based or 100% acrylic paints for surface protection. Windy and rainy weather are applied with thicker-film elastomeric to combat water-borne cracks.

Air temperatures lower than 50ºF can lead to surface chalking and premature peeling, while above 90ºF can severely affect surface preparation, application and curing. Exterior painting contractors must keep this in mind during the project. Freezing-thawing cycles, on the other hand, require flexible primers and topcoats to cope with the fluctuating temperatures.

The Environment's Role in the Choice of Exterior Coatings

Federal and local laws on environmental protection have influenced the design and manufacture of exterior coatings. Paints with the low-VOC formulations have been introduced. This aims to halt the harmful effects of VOC-emitting regular paints to the environment.

Painting contractors and paint manufacturers must comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) VOC-level standards at the national level. In the north east and mid-Atlantic states, the Ozone Transport Commission (EPA) Model Rule is in place. State-based air quality programs also watch strictly over VOC compliance that covers the building industry.

Compliance to these varying environmental regulations and agencies resulted in new formulations of exterior coating products for architectural, commercial and industrial painting. These are often low-VOC latex, water-borne or solvent alkyd products.

In 2012, a law shifting the building industry to the use of water-borne coatings will be in full effect. A significant change in favor of the environment, exterior painting contractors keep this in mind as they choose products for their existing and future coatings projects.

The factors above often dictate the choice of exterior coating products to use in painting projects. Yet exterior painting contractors often advise building owners to continue to seek the balance between meeting these conditions and choosing the best-performing product for their projects.

Exterior Remodeling

The outward appearance of a home is just as important, or possibly more important than a home's interior because the exterior is what gives the first impression. There are many things that can be done to upgrade a home's exterior such as replacing the siding and the windows and doors or installing a deck or patio. While these exterior upgrades will revamp a house's look, it is important for the exterior components of the house to be able to withstand inclement weather. Here are some home exterior remodeling ideas to consider.

Windows and doors act as the passageways into the house and the styles of windows and doors can greatly affect the look of a house. Replacing old windows and doors can really enhance a home's exterior but there are several options to consider when choosing replacements. There are many types of windows that each function differently and may be more suitable for certain rooms. These window types include casements, double hung, garden, escape, sliders, picture, awnings, and bays. The frames are usually vinyl or aluminum and come in many different styles and colors to match the theme of any home's exterior. Replacing the outside doors of a house can also help the outward appearance. There are three general types of doors; entry doors, storm doors, and sliding patio doors. Entry doors are the main doors and are a bit more heavy-duty for added security. These doors can be styled and colored to match the exterior décor of any house. Storm doors are installed outside the entry door and are typically composed of a combination of glass, aluminum, and steel. These doors protect the house and entry door from harsh weather. The last type of outside door is the sliding patio door. Patio doors are made from tempered glass and open with a sliding mechanism. They are ideal for leading out onto a deck or patio and for allowing natural light into a room. Replacing the doors and windows of a house is a major step in exterior remodeling. With so many style and color options for each, replacement windows and doors can be worked in to fit any home's exterior design.

Another major element of exterior design is siding. Siding can be made out of many materials such as wood, vinyl, aluminum, steel, and stucco. Each type of siding is available in many style and color options to match any exterior design. The different materials require different levels of maintenance and certain materials may not be as well suited for certain climates. Aluminum and steel are more likely to rust in areas with high moisture and wood siding is always subject to warping or termites. Wood siding also requires more maintenance because the wood may need to be sealed annually to help protect it against the weather. Exterior remodeling companies offer consultations to help their clients choose siding that works best with their home. Replacing the siding of a home can drastically change its outward appearance.

One last way to revamp the exterior design of a home is to add outdoor living spaces with decks and patios. Decks are wooden living areas that are built onto a house and are elevated above the ground as opposed to patios that can be made of many materials, such as stone and brick, and are installed directly into the ground. Landscaping and remodeling companies can either restore old decks or design and build custom decks to the client's specifications. Decks can also be stained many colors to match the home's exterior. Patios are just as customizable as they can be made any size and made from concrete, brick, or stone to give it a unique look. Adding an outdoor living space not only adds to the aesthetic appeal of a home, but allows the homeowner and guests to relax comfortably outside.

There are several ways to either change an element of the exterior design of a home or give the home's exterior a complete remodel. The outside of a home is what gives guests their first impression so it is important that the exterior design of a home is one cohesive, aesthetically pleasing design. It is always helpful to discuss options with a remodeling company to choose the best products for the purpose. So start off small or give your home a makeover by replacing the windows, doors, and siding for a revamped design.

Exterior House Painters - Get Professionals That Can Do an Excellent Job

One of the most challenging things that you can do is to paint the exterior of your house. Most people find the task extremely challenging and sometimes a daunting if not terrifying task. In painting your house, you will be faced with two options, either you do the painting yourself or you can get and contract a few exterior house painters to do the job for you. If you choose to go with the exterior house painters option, you will be guaranteed that the painting of the exterior of your house will be completed with preciseness and beauty.

It can be a very annoying and frustrating ordeal if you try to paint the exterior of your house all by yourself. That's why house painters are there to assist you in this course of action, eliminating all the frustration and annoyance that you would have otherwise had if you try to do all the painting on your own. Nevertheless, it can be a rewarding experience after if you've finished painting your own home, but the process can be grueling and extremely difficult. It is highly recommended that you choose to go with the option of using house painters, mainly because they are well suited for the sheer size of painting all the exterior of your house. Furthermore, exterior house painters have the experience and the expertise in painting the exteriors of your house. In addition to this, if you do a little research online you will also recognize that professional exterior painters have all the right equipment that is used to paint the exterior of your home.

You may not be aware of this but painting the exterior of your house is very tedious, mainly because not all exterior surfaces are the same. This can pose a problem for you if you are going to paint the exterior of your house. On the other hand, if you are going to use the services of exterior house painters, you don't have to worry about the surface, because they will have the equipment and experience in dealing with any kind of exterior surface whether it is tyrolean, roughcast or pebbledash, these painters will take care of it for you and all that is required is that you sit back and relax and enjoy the beauty of your home.

Most exterior house painters specialize in exterior house painting; they don't even do jobs like hanging wall papers or gloss windows or doors. However, they will get the job done quickly for you, so your life can go back to normal quickly. If you choose to go with exterior house painters, you will definitely benefit as most professional painters of the house exterior use the highest quality exterior paints such as Johnstones, Crown and Dulux to ensure that the exterior of your house looks extremely beautiful. However, you should exercise caution with their services because some exterior house painters are extremely expensive. So if you are on a tight budget, you may have to explore the option of doing the painting of the exterior of your house by yourself.