High-Performance Exterior PaintingPosted by Lysgaard Huffman on May 12th, 2021 Exterior painting contractors are often challenged by the varying conditions and requirements posed by exterior painting projects. Through the years, the lessons learned at each completed project have advanced the paint technology. Because of these advances, today's exterior paints cater to nearly every condition ever encountered during exterior painting project implementations. Location-Driven Paint Considerations Exterior painting contractors and paint manufacturers concur that one of the most common conditions that often have to be met with regards to exterior painting projects may be the one dictated by location. Caldwell painting NJ are apparent in construction styles and material preferences. Location therefore dictates selecting exterior paint to be used. For instance, the Southwest may be the home of masonry and stucco exteriors. These substrates require primers and top coats befitting cementitious materials. In the Southeast, weather-resistant formulations are employed by exterior painting contractors to withstand year-long contact with wind and rain. In mountainous locations, alternatively, sun-resistant and UV-absorbing resinous formulations are used. Weather-Proof Exterior Coatings Paint manufacturers also have developed formulations to focus on another major factor influencing projects - the weather. Climatic variables surrounding the project are believed by exterior painting contractors when choosing the products to utilize. It even influences the application form and methods that they can use. Climates that produce high levels of UV rays tend to be applied with elastomeric-based or 100% acrylic paints for surface protection. Windy and rainy weather are applied with thicker-film elastomeric to combat water-borne cracks. Air temperatures less than 50�F can lead to surface chalking and premature peeling, while above 90�F can severely affect surface preparation, application and curing. Exterior painting contractors must keep this at heart during the project. Freezing-thawing cycles, however, require flexible primers and topcoats to handle the fluctuating temperatures. The Environment's Role in the decision of Exterior Coatings Federal and local laws on environmental protection have influenced the design and manufacture of exterior coatings. Paints with the low-VOC formulations have already been introduced. This aims to prevent the harmful ramifications of VOC-emitting regular paints to the surroundings. Painting contractors and paint manufacturers must adhere to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) VOC-level standards at the national level. In the north east and mid-Atlantic states, the Ozone Transport Commission (EPA) Model Rule is in place. State-based air quality programs also watch strictly over VOC compliance that covers the building industry. Compliance to these varying environmental regulations and agencies led to new formulations of exterior coating products for architectural, commercial and industrial painting. These are often low-VOC latex, water-borne or solvent alkyd products. In 2012, a law shifting the building industry to the use of water-borne coatings will be in full effect. A significant change in favor of the surroundings, exterior painting contractors keep this at heart as they choose products for their existing and future coatings projects. The factors above often dictate the decision of exterior coating products to utilize in painting projects. Yet exterior painting contractors often advise building owners to keep to seek the balance between meeting these conditions and choosing the best-performing product for their projects.Like it? Share it! More by this author |