"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.
Example A: This house is relatively new construction. This example exemplifies what happens when trying to cut costs 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.
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
Example B: This house was jet black just a few years ago
Example B: This case shows poor color choice: period. Black and direct sun exposure throughout the day is a bad combination. That is, unless you can afford to paint your home every other year. 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 apropriate colors for the environment.
I really need to say the challenges that the homeowners now face are completely preventable. All that is needed is a caring painter!
How does any ordinary person choose the proper color for the environment? Just consider, the environmental factors speak for themselves. Really, if something is exposed to UV Radiation, it's going to degrade. 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.
Paint product and brand selection also play 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.
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