Some Things You Never Knew About Paint and Exterior Coatings
What is it that makes a paint job endure for decades when the next one will be peeling in two years time? Or how about the fact that paint has evolved considerably from what was put on cave walls with a mixing bowl of sorts? Then there is the matter of the color you choose for your home, which has more to offer than mere aesthetics.
We at 1st Choice Coatings have been in the business of painting homes and commercial properties in Pensacola and all of Northwest Florida for 15 years or more. In that time we have learned our share of oddities about the trade. We would be happy to discuss paint over the phone at (850)-813-4445, but before we do, let us put down some history and science you may not be familiar with for a bit of fun.
Paint Has More History Than You Would Imagine
It is among the oldest human inventions to still be around. The first coatings were made by early man who would put natural pigments together with animal fat and plant matter. One need only look at the tens of thousands of years those cave paintings have put in to see the staying power of a well applied coating on a suitable surface.
These days you will find modern paint is something else altogether. Formulas are put to work to stand up to the elements, be it sun or rain or mold, in a manner the old painters would not have put stock in.
You Do Not Realize What Color Can Do
For instance, the temperature of your home is influenced by your exterior paint. A darker shade will take in the heat of the sun, a lighter one will send it back. In the kind of warmth we have in Northwest Florida, it is more consequential than you would think.
Color has a way of deceiving the eye as well:
- Put light colors on a house and it seems more open and of greater size
- Some architectural styles are given depth and drama with dark colors
- There is a cool calmness to blues and greens
- Red and yellow are warm tones that put a welcoming air on a space
- When selling, neutral shades are what buyers are drawn to
- An accent on the trim or door can alter the whole personality of a home
Quality Varies in Paint
Too often people make the mistake of thinking any paint will do and are left with poor results. How long a finish is going to last has everything to do with the product, the preparation of the surface and the application.
An exterior coating has to be able to take it, from the wind and salt air to changes in temperature. A good one has the ingredients to ward off mildew and fading, and enough give to flex with the home as the weather dictates. That is why it will outlive an inferior product by years.
What Makes for a Fine Finish
The smell of a new coat of paint is the solvents evaporating in the process of drying and curing. Curing is not the same as drying; while it might be dry to the hand after an hour or so, it is not uncommon for a paint to need a few days, or weeks, to harden.
Then there is the sheen. It is not simply for show. You will see glossier finishes on high traffic areas, doors and trim because they are more moisture resistant and clean up better. For large walls a flatter finish is preferred since it does a better job of concealing any imperfections.
Preparation Is Key
This is the one thing to bear in mind. Before the paint is put on the surface is where the work is done if you want it to hold up. A coating will fail if you do not clean, scrape, sand, patch and prime.
Paint that bubbles and peels is usually due to having cut corners here. To put a fine color on a surface that has not been properly readied is akin to a weak foundation. It is not going to hold.
Leave It to Those with Experience
There is an art to applying paint. We are licensed and insured and put a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee behind what we do. Homeowners in Pensacola and Northwest Florida have come to rely on us, as evidenced by the 39 Google reviews we have with a 5.0 star rating.
We are on hand 24/7 and will give you a free estimate to put your mind at ease when planning a project. Should you need some expert counsel or are in the mood to put a new face on your exterior, we are here to assist.
Get in touch with 1st Choice Coatings at (850)-813-4445 and we will make your next project a reality.
