When painting your home inside or outside, you will be faced with a number of different decisions. When picking out paint you will need to decide on brand, color, gloss, and if you need an interior or exterior paint. Many people often ask what is the major difference between interior and exterior paint. Some people will use an exterior paint inside the home in hope for a better protective layer. Others will make the major mistake of using an interior paint for the outside of their home. L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc would like to explain the major difference between interior and exterior paint.

Interior Paint for Walls & Ceilings

In the inside of your home, you do not have to worry about the walls being exposed to rain, snow, wind and the sun, which can cause exterior surfaces to decay. As the inside of the home is not exposed daily to these types of elements, you do not need a paint to stand against them. However, there are a variety of interior paints that can withstand moisture and other elements better than others such as semi-gloss. A semi-gloss paint is great for bathrooms and the kitchen or high traffic areas as they are much more durable. Even though some interior paints are designed to be more durable, they are not scuff resistant. If using an interior paint outside the home and the paint’s surface gets scuffed or damaged, moisture will get in. Once moisture gets inside interior paint, the paint will begin to peel or bubble off the walls. Interior paint will also degrade quickly when exposed to sunlight. Interior paint simply cannot withstand the outside elements.

Exterior Paints for Wood, Siding & More

Exterior paints are designed to withstand moisture from rain and snow, and the sun. Exterior paints are also designed to be flexible and will expand and contract along with the material they protect. Exterior paint also has the ability to reflect the sunlight, prevent color fading and damages due to the UV rays of the sun. Exterior paint is designed to withstand the outside elements. Even though exterior paints are designed to be strong, this doesn’t mean you will want to use them inside the home. Exterior paint needs to be outside in the open air as the gasses or solvent will evaporate into the open air. If inside the home the solvent is confined and can cause the air to be unhealthy. Never use exterior paint inside your home to ensure the health of those inside and to avoid the paint’s natural gases from building up inside the home.

Interior & Exterior Painting in Amagansett, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Hampton Bays, Montauk, North Haven, North Sea, Noyack, Quogue, Shelter Island, Sag Harbor, Sagaponack, Shinnecock Hills, Southampton, Springs, Wainscott, Watermill, Westhampton, Westhampton Beach, New York

When painting your home, always stick with exterior paint when painting outdoor surfaces and interior paint for the inside of the home. These paints are designed to be used in their right environments. When you are painting your home it is also recommended to use a high quality paint that ensures the paint project will last. For those who are preparing to paint the inside or outside of their home and need help, contact L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc and schedule our services today.