Difference Between Exterior Paint and Interior Paint
Not all paints are created equal. Interior and exterior paints are formulated specifically for different purposes, so it’s important to know the difference between interior and exterior paint before you get started. Interior paint is water-resistant and made to be scrubbed clean without damaging the surface, and outdoor paint is generally waterproof and designed to withstand weather elements of all sorts. AJ Blunt have a wealth of experience as house painters of Adelaide, and we know everything there is to know about interior and exterior painting.
Understanding the difference between interior and exterior paint can also assist you in colour choice, as you consider what light and shadows do to each surface. Whites can vary dramatically, and even a subtle difference can change the mood of a room or facade. Think of the undertones, and test your paint colours in different lights and times of the day.
So, if you’re about to get started on some interior and exterior painting, feel equipped with the information here about what makes up indoor and outdoor paint and if you can use the two interchangeably.
What is interior paint?
Interior paint is used indoors on walls of homes and buildings and is designed to withstand minor abrasions. It’s formulated so that it’s easy to clean, and often has a focus on aesthetics and the mood it brings to a space.
Because it isn’t designed for harsh outdoor conditions, it also contains fewer chemicals and VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, that are released over time into the air. Often, they’re made damp-proof, too. Here’s a bit about the common ingredients in interior paint, its practical uses, and if it’s a good idea for an outdoor.
Common Ingredients
So, what type of paint is interior paint? Mostly, all paints are made with an oil-base or water-base, and this is called ‘solvent’. Interior paints are generally water-based, and exterior paints are made with an oil-based solvent, but more on this later. Pigment is another crucial ingredient that makes interior paint what it is. It’s what gives it colour, which can be organic or inorganic.
Other additives are worked into the formulation to decipher its durability and how water-resistant, UV-resistant, and ‘flexible’ the paint is. A paint’s binder is what holds everything together and determines the performance of the paint over time. As a company that prides itself on attention to detail, we always consider the makeup of the interior paints we use for the sake of longevity.
Practical Uses
Sometimes after your home has received its fresh coat of paint, there’ll be some paint left over. While interior paint is specifically designed for the indoors, it’s actually quite versatile. Don’t let it go to waste. Get creative, giving your home its final touches on trims, doors, cabinets, drawers, fireplaces, and furniture. Add highlights, accents, and details around the home, using up your remaining paint on frames, storage containers, and pots. Dip your wooden utensil handles into the paint so that they match the decor. With enough left over, you might be able to use your paint as a base colour for a future job.
Can I Use Interior Paint Outside?
You may have just transformed the inside of your home with a paint colour you adore, and are now tempted to use the same paint on the exterior. Using indoor paint on an outdoor surface, however, is generally not recommended. This is because it’s not as fade-resistant as exterior paint, and it doesn’t weather as well as paint designed for the outdoors. Using indoor paint on an outdoor wall will result in peeling and cracking.
What is Exterior Paint?
There’s a big difference between interior and exterior paint, which lies in function and formulation. Exterior paint’s purpose is to not only look great and increase the value of the home, but to create a shield-like layer of protection over the house as well. Nature can be a little harsh on your home, but exterior paint can protect from rain, hail, wind, sun, and snow thanks to the added chemicals and resins worked into the mix.
Common Ingredients
When outdoor paint is applied to a surface, the solvent dries up and what’s left is the resin with the pigments and additives bound to it. Exterior paint is made similarly to interior paint, but the main difference is that paints designed for outdoor surfaces need to survive a range of weather conditions and so harsher resins such as epoxy, silicone, and acrylic are used. Oil-based outdoor paints provide excellent long-lasting results, but they’re often higher in VOCs, which are toxic to inhale. On the other hand, water-based paint is highly flexible, allowing materials to expand and contract with the seasons without damaging the paint job.
Practical Uses
Put the leftovers to good use and spruce up your backyard, courtyard, or balcony, adding touches to outdoor furniture, pots, and even decorative art. If you have more than one colour of outdoor paint, you could mix them to create a new shade to feel inspired by. This works as long as the paints are made with the same composition of either oil or water.
Can I Use Exterior Paint Indoors?
For inside the home, it’s much safer to use paint designed for the indoors. This is because the levels of fumes are much higher in exterior paints than in indoor paints. They have to be to endure wild weather. For a home’s interior though, paint simply needs to withstand damp conditions and the odd scrub. Paints that are specially designed for interior walls will do the trick.
With major differences between the composition and purpose of interior and exterior paint, it’s important to know the limitations and possibilities of each. AJ Blunt is always ready to help out with any exterior or interior project. Just reach out for more information on house painting in Adelaide.