"It's only been three years and my houses color is suddenly vintage! What is this!? I spent $5,000 for a fresh exterior paint job and this is what I get!?!?"
You have exterior paint thats color is fading, its blotchy, inconsistent and it's chalky on the surface. Is this issue avoidable? Can it be prevented for a long lasting satisfying look?
Lets explore.
On the topic of color retention heres a few key things I'd like to share.
You must consider:
Homes alignment with the Sun
Tree cover and special landscape considerations
General weather conditions of the area
Substrate of what's being painted
Particularities of the colors of interest
Paint Product being used
I'll share a few examples here of mistakes made in the painting process and ways of preventing them from occuring.
Example A: This house is relatively new construction. Sometimes when trying to cut costs it can get to the point that basic quality standards are neglected.
Example A: It's plain and simple this happened because of the product used and application method of the painter. I see clearly that they used the wrong quality of paint and then also the wrong sheen for the scenario at hand. On top of the product choice the spraying pattern has inconsistencies leading to the blotchyness. New, you wouldn't notice but after a few years of sun, it's obvious. One of the most common things that happens in this scenario is a low end product from a high end company is used.
How can improve this? Well, in 2024 I would say the minimum quality paint from Sherwin Williams I would use is their "Superpaint," line. And from Ben Moore, "Ultraspec." Anything below that and at a lower price point involves risks. Most products at that price point or above are time tested industry standards. And, I would highly recommend using a minimum of Satin sheen for any exterior project. The word of advice I would give to the painter that's applying would be to set up a few ladders before spraying. Then, be sure to be spraying at a cool time of day and keep a consistent distance from the wall when spraying. After doing everything you can on one ladder, swiftly and safely move to the next ensuring the spray pattern keeps a "wet edge."
Example B: This house was jet black just a few years ago
Example B: If you want to keep your home black, it isn't going to last too long. Black and direct sun exposure throughout the day isn't a good combination. You can spend extra to have a higher quality product and it may last a little longer, but always it's going to have very short longevity in comparison to more appropriate colors for the environment. Not only does the pigment degrade quickly, but because of that pigment degradation, the paint film degrades quicker as well, which can lead to peeling and other issues.
How does any ordinary person choose the proper color for the environment? Just consider this, if something is exposed to UV Radiation (full time sun light), it's going to degrade quicker than something with less exposure. Also, another factor that can lead to degredation is If something is in a super damp, dark, humid environment. It's going to grow algae and mold which can lead to paint degradation.
In terms of colors, really all thats needed is awareness of how it'll respond to the environment. Dark colors won't hold up as well to the sun, but can handle more humid conditions without noticing issues as quickly, and light colors can handle the sun better but you'll see the algae growing in a flash. Its that simple. Though, the algae still grows on the dark colors, perhaps not as quickly. We recommend pressure washing exterior siding regularly- if not every year at least every few years. To help protect the finish and ensure longevity.
Paint product and brand selection plays a significant role in this. The major paint companies offer paints in different grades and price points which often reflect the quality of the product (but not always!) Contractors should be privvy to this since they use the stuff everyday! Basically the cheaper it is the less luck you're likely to have in this scenario. However there are exceptions to the rule. If you'd like to learn more about colors and product selection give us a call for an estimate and we can offer our experience and expertise to help guide your project to meet your needs effectively. Feel free to visit our Contact Page for our email and phone contact information.
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