The quality of the paint you choose to use for your house is just as important as its color. High-quality paint is able to remain bonded to its substrates and retain its essential properties for as long as possible while retaining its color.
The best quality paint won’t peel easily even when you use it for exterior house painting; it will resist any attack from the elements. Selecting the right type of paint is very crucial in achieving that desired result. The following factors will help you determine if a paint brand is of high quality.
- It should be environmentally-friendly
The best types of paint are usually water-based and do not contain any plasticizers or biocides as solvents. They contain low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are not likely to harm people with asthma or allergies.
Even as they dry, they give off minimal emissions. Low-quality paint is much cheaper. Unfortunately, the ingredients used do not compare to the higher quality ones and are likely to peel and give off harmful emissions.
- It retains its color for a long period and doesn’t fade easily
It’s very frustrating for a homeowner to spend money and time on a paint job, only to have it fade after just a few months.
Fading of paint is inevitable and a natural occurrence due to atmospheric conditions, especially with exterior house paint. However, a high-quality paint should be able to deter premature fading as it contains better quality pigment and a sufficient amount of binding elements.
- It should be easy to spread
The best quality paint is spreadable which makes applying it easier, especially with a good roller. A small amount of such paint should go a long way when being applied.
It should be low in wax as this spreading agent makes the paint more difficult to apply. It should work smoothly and be capable of being applied in a thin coat with a paintbrush, as this will help to save time and product.
- It must be adequately adhesive
A tell-tale sign of low-quality paint is that it’s unable to stick to a surface properly and leaves an uneven appearance when it has dried. This shows the presence of low-quality binders that are incapable of joining the pigment particles together.
A high-quality paint exhibits good adhesive power, as the durability and performance of the finish depend on it.
- It should be able to resist atmospheric conditions
This is especially important for exterior house painting in environments that face harsh atmospheric conditions. Regular exposure to intense sunlight, heavy rainfall, and snowstorms will test the limits of most paints. But the best quality paint can hold its own here.
It should be able to withstand different cycles of temperature, humidity, and even ultraviolet radiation for a long time.
- It should be appropriately thick
The viscosity of paint is important. This implies that the paint should be of adequate thickness as this plays an important role in its application. Paint that is far too viscous will make spreading hard. Low viscosity paint is thin and paints poorly.
One of the determiners of high-quality paint is its optimal viscosity. It’s easy to apply, easy to use, and also provides consistent results.
When going paint shopping, it’s important to have some basic knowledge of the different paints that exist, their characteristics, and some application information. This ensures you choose the best quality paint for the job.
If you want expert advice on finding high-quality paint suitable for your needs, reach out to us at Fillo Painting. We’re experienced at professional exterior and interior painting services. Contact us on our site or call at 770-796-4880 to set up a free consultation or for any other questions.