There are plenty of reasons to give the exterior walls of your building a fresh coat of paint. The benefits range from improving the aesthetic appeal and weather-proofing, to pest protection and graffiti prevention. While there are many types of building paints you can choose from, you have to keep in mind the reason why you started the commercial painting project. If you have just bought a new build, you want to protect the exterior walls with a coat of high-quality paint that will withstand the changes in weather, humidity, and physical or cosmetic damage.
Of course, the level of protection you want your paint to provide will depend on a number of factors like how often graffiti vandals strike in the area to the general weather conditions. That said, choosing the right one from all the different types of paints used in building construction doesn’t have to be too complicated. You just need to check whether the paint meets the criteria listed in the next section. So stay tuned to learn some tips on finding the best paint for your commercial painting project.
Properties Of High-Quality Exterior Paint
Before you start looking at construction paint, you need to know what you are looking for. A paint that does its job should not be porous, meaning that water should not be absorbed into the paint but rather slide of the surface when dried. The mixture should also be composed of a generous % of binders and pigments compared to the other components.
Reading online reviews can help you see what other people’s experiences with the paint are. As a general rule of thumb, keep an eye out for exterior paints that are proven to have these high performing qualities:
- A good hiding power that determines how well the paint can conceal or cover a surface without looking translucent
- The end result is a durable and even coating
- Little to no chalking (a powdery film that appears over time that lightens the paint colour). High content of quality resins and no streaking during application will often mean that the paint won’t chalk.
- Weather conditions should not affect the performance of the paint after it has dried
- The paint glides on easily and leaves behind an even coverage with no streaks
- The paint does not contain toxins that are detrimental to your health
- The paint can be spread thinly over a clean surface without cracking when drying
What are the types of exterior paints?
Different types of paints used in building construction and renovations will have varying properties and uses. Your professional commercial painter might suggest that you go with certain types of building paints for a specific surface. Let’s break down the types of building paints you can choose for your next commercial painting project.
1. Oil Paint
Oil paints are a popular choice as they are quite affordable and durable. It tends to go on smoothly and dry down to a finish that is very easy to clean. Prior to using oil paints, you need to thin out its consistency with linseed oil and add pigments. Because they take a while to dry, they don’t work as well in humid weather.
When you work with oil paints, you will need to start with a primer, then an undercoat, and a final finish coat. It can help you achieve a matte finish or a glossy one. Oil paint is often used indoors, on walls and windows, as well as on metal structures.
2. Enamel Paint
Enamel paints have excellent colour retention as they dry down to a hard, glossy coating that is both waterproof and chemically resistant. While they offer great surface protection, an initial titanium coating can take a while to dry before you can start painting. This is a versatile paint that can be used for windows, walls, stairs, flooring, trim, doors, glass, metals, and even masonry.
3. Emulsion Paint
Emulsion paints can be oil or water based. Their pigment range is so wide that you can find almost any colour you want for a painting project. Once the paint has quickly dried to a hard surface, it can be easily cleaned with just some water and a flannel. The end result can give you a great return on investment as it becomes highly durable, can retain colour well, and offer great resistant to alkali.
4. Plastic Paint
Plastic paint comes in a wide range of colours that offer high coverage. You can easily thin it using water and expect it to dry very quickly. You can use this on ceilings, decks, slabs, and on the walls of high-traffic rooms such as showrooms and auditoriums to achieve a smooth, matte finish.
5. Anti-Corrosive Paint
As the name suggests, anticorrosive paint is highly resistant to chemicals as it is made up of fine sand, zinc chrome, and linseed oil. Because it has a black colour, it can be applied on metal surfaces and pipes. It acts as a barrier that minimises the contact of water, air, and other corrosive elements with the metal underneath.
Work With A Professional Painter
As you can see above, there are many different types of paint used in building construction to choose from. Some can offer great protection against the elements, while others can be a big benefit for your buildings’ aesthetic appeal. Investing in higher quality paint that has worked for many others can also save you a lot of time and money, as you won’t have to do a second coat of paint or spend more time fixing an issue that could’ve been easily avoided.
Here at Elite Painting, we offer professional residential and commercial painting services Perth-wide. Our team of professional painters have all the experience needed to nail the exact look you are after. As Dulux Accredited Painters, we use only top quality Dulux paint as part of our dedication to excellence. Speak to us today for a free, detailed quote.