Interior / Exterior Painting FAQ
What is the difference between interior and exterior paint?
Both indoor and outdoor rated paints that we use at Chagrin Home Improvements are of the highest quality and will give your home a beautiful finish. The difference between paints meant for interior and exterior use can be found in the binding resins they contain. These resins are specially mixed to help the paint withstand the wear and tear they will sustain. So exterior paint is more flexible and able to put up with extreme shifts in temperature. It will also better resist fading, staining, peeling, and chipping. On the other hand, interior paint utilizes a stiffer formula that allows it to cling to interior surfaces, while also reducing smearing and scuffing. There may also be differences in available color and finish options between interior and exterior paints.
When is it best to paint outside?
Temperatures that fall between 50°F (10°C) and 85°F (29°C) are generally seen as most suitable for painting exterior surfaces, but most Sherwin Williams exterior paints can be applied all the way down to 35°F (2°C). Within this range, we find that paint is best able to adhere and dry evenly, giving your home or other exterior structure a beautifully uniform finish. That said, humidity has a lot to do with ideal painting conditions, and both too dry and too damp conditions can compromise results. Measured relative humidity that falls between 40% and 70% can help to ensure ideal results. In general, these more moderate temperatures and humidity levels occur during the spring, summer, and early autumn, but this can vary based on location.
How do I know when it’s time to repaint my home?
As a homeowner, you can choose to repaint your home anytime you like. However, there are some key things to consider that can help you to determine when it’s a good time to repaint, like if you’re a new owner or you’re looking to sell. In general, 5-10 years is a reasonable time frame for a paint job to maintain its quality finish. For areas where mildew or other natural elements frequently cause staining, then every 4-7 years is a better target for a new coat of paint. However, much is dependent on how much prep work was done for the current finish. Our Chagrin Falls painting experts here at Chagrin Home Improvements go the extra mile to prepare surfaces so that they accept and hold on to paint for many years to come. If you have a log cabin or other stained structure, you will notice that the surface appears dry or chalky when it is due for a fresh coat of stain.
How long will it take to paint my house?
Our team of painters in Chagrin Falls takes every care to ensure that your home’s final finish is perfect. This takes time, but we have a trusted team that works efficiently to get the job done in a timely manner. Once we’ve prepped, made any necessary repairs, and more, we then apply the necessary amount of paint to produce the very best finish. That includes allowing ample time for thorough drying. If rain interferes with the painting job, we will return as soon as possible to re-prep and paint the affected area. In general, a typical home of around 2,500 square feet may take anywhere from 5-7 working days to complete a job to our high standards. We’ll never drag a job out, but we will always take the time to ensure that it looks as good as it possibly can.
How do I choose the right paint for my home’s exterior?
Using existing materials that you plan to keep in place can help you to develop a color scheme that best suits your tastes and preferences. This includes taking into account the types of surfaces that will be painted, and the finish of paint you choose. Different shades of paint can also attract and repel heat from the sun. Our Chagrin Falls painting professionals can work with you to help you to choose the ideal color for your home.
How often should you paint your home’s interior?
Since your home’s interior includes several rooms that all serve different purposes and see different levels of use and traffic, there isn’t one blanket answer to this question. However, if you’re a new owner or you’re looking to sell, it’s always a good idea to give your home’s interior a fresh coat of paint. Otherwise, every 3-5 years is a good general estimate to work from. However, a lot can depend on the size of your family, whether you have pets or not, and other personal factors. Oftentimes our bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms see a high amount of wear and tear, while bedrooms may not need to be repainted as often. Children’s rooms are the exception, not only because they sustain a lot of use and potential damage to surfaces, but also because as children grow and change, their room decor typically shifts as well.
Hallways, mudrooms, and laundry rooms may also need a more frequent refresh. And don’t forget the ceilings! It’s easy to overlook them but a fresh coat of paint on ceilings can really elevate a room. Interior baseboards and trim will also need to be repainted, as once walls are updated, they tend to look dingy and scuffed.
What finish and color of paint should I use?
The answer depends on several factors, including whether you’re looking at exterior or interior paint. The selection is different for both, since the paint finish needs to be able to resist what it will encounter either indoors or outdoors. For indoor paint, the more matte it is, the harder it can be to keep it looking clean, especially if it’s a lighter color. A finish with a higher shine makes paint more able to be easily wiped and washed. That said, a higher shine finish will highlight any imperfections or unwanted textures, since the light bounces more and shadows are more easily cast. Flatter finishes absorb light and so they help to downplay textures or inconsistencies in the wall itself. Keep in mind that we can always prep surfaces to ensure the smoothest finish, but anything other than a newly installed surface will have inherent variances in textures.
Probably the easiest way to pick a paint finish is to consider how much and what type of use an area will see within the home. Anywhere with heat and moisture–such as a kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room–is often best suited to a medium or lower sheen finish. High traffic areas may benefit from a higher sheen that is more easily cleaned, or a darker shade of a duller sheen that won’t show wear as easily. Once you’ve ruled out function and practicality, you can choose based on more subjective criteria, like your own personal preference or what you’ve seen elsewhere. Existing architectural elements in a room, the size of a room, and the amount of available light in a room can help you to decide on a color and finish as well.