Synthetic or ceramic life time paint?
We are trying to choose the outside paint for our house, but we don't know the best for the price.
Thanks!
Answers:
hi sandra...
there are so many factors to consider when choosing an exterior paint...type and condition of substrate, environmental factors, material cost vs. probability of expected lifespan, etc.
keep this in mind, no matter what the manufacturer says - or promises...there is no such thing as a lifetime paint. no matter how much you pay for a can of paint - the finish is only as good as the surface its applied to. wood siding for example, will always expand and contract - over time this will take it's toll on a paint film. masonry siding will always absorb and pass moisture (and with it, bring soluble salts to the surface) which can also take its toll on a paint film. vinyl siding expands and contracts due to exposure of heat, cold and sunlight...aluminum and steel siding will oxidize. all of these things will impact a coat of paint.
surface preparation is actually more important than the type of paint used when trying to guage the lifespan of a new coat of paint. an expensive "lifetime" paint applied to a chalky, dirty surface will last no longer than a cheap bargain priced paint applied to the same surface. before painting, make sure your surface is clean, dry and free of all loose and flaking paint - if the previous paint is peeling it has done so for a reason (rarely is it due to a defective or low quality product)...it may have peeled due to moisture, incompatibility to previous coat of paint, product applied over a chalky or dusty surface etc. - fix the problem. re-route the moisture, prime if necessary, clean the surface etc.
ceramic adds an interesting element to painting. ceramic technology has been around for years, but just recently has been incorporated into the architectural paint field. generally speaking, the resin determines the durability of the paint film - how ceramic pigment (microspheres) affect a paint film is, unlike more conventional pigments they do not absorb resin thereby allowing more resin to protect the substrate. because ceramic microspheres are more expensive than conventional pigments, most manufacturers will use ceramic only in their most expensive premium quality products. - unfortunately, ceramic has become kind of a marketing buzz word, but the combination of premium resins and ceramic usually results in a pretty good exterior paint film.
as to what type of finish to use - in almost all situations, a 100%, solid acrylic resin house paint is going to provide the longest lasting, most color-fast, most fade resistant, most chalk resistant, most "breathe-able", greatest elasticity (that's a good thing) than other types of house paint. just remember what i said about surface preparation.
again, regardless what the label or the marketing gurus tell you - a good coat of paint, applied to a properly prepared surface, should last between 10 & 15 years depending on the substrate and exposure to elements (when a label says 20, 25, 30, 50 years or lifetime warranty - trust me, the warranty is only as good as the paper it's printed on)
i hope this info is helpful to you. consult your local independently owned paint store for more preparation and application advice. while big boxes (lowes, home depot, etc.) may have the products, they do not have the expertise that an independent paint dealer has when it comes to walking you through a project like yours. good luck.
ric
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