what type of paint for exterior windows
Truck & Tool Rental The Home Depot Logo DIY Projects & Ideas Flooring & Area Rugs Lighting & Ceiling Fans Protect your home and increase curb appeal with the best exterior house paint A new coat of exterior paint improves your home’s appearance while simultaneously protecting it from moisture, fading and temperature changes. This guide will help you understand the different varieties of exterior paint and determine which type is best for your home. Water-Based vs. Oil-Based Paint Water-based paint is typically used for most exterior applications, but oil-based paint may work better on metals and bleeding woods. Consists of pigment and binder with water used as carrier Flexible: Expands and contracts with siding on house Breathable: Won’t trap moisture and crack or peel Dries faster (1-6 hours) with less odor Latex paints with an all-acrylic binder hold up to weather better than those with a vinyl-acrylic binder. Consists of pigment and resin in a solvent thinner.
When thinners evaporate, the resins form a hard coating, leaving behind the pigment, which provides the color Longer dry time (8-24 hours) Better adhesion and stain blocking: Ideal for chalky or stained surfaces, bleeding woods (tannin or sap) and metals that rust Tip: Water-based paint can be applied over oil-based paint, but oil-based paint shouldn’t be applied over water-based paint. On surfaces with four or more coats of oil paint, stick with oil, since a water-based paint may cause the oil paint to pull away and crack. Bare wood and a few other bare surfaces need to be primed before you paint them. Like paint, primers come in oil- and water-based varieties. Oil-based primers are suitable for use with oil- or water-based paint, so you can prime a chalky surface with oil-based primer for better adhesion and still take advantage of the benefits of latex paint. Like oil-based paint, these primers are preferable for stained wood, bleeding wood (sap or tannin) and metals that rust.
Water-based primers are recommended for most applications, but should only be used with water-based paint. Look for specific primers to be used wood, concrete, and metals such as galvanized steel, iron and aluminum. Choose between flat/matte, glossy and satin finishes. Flat/matte finish: A flat finish hides imperfections better than a glossier finish but doesn’t clean as well. Flat finishes are generally used for siding. Glossy finish: Glossy paint creates a hard, shiny, durable finish that is easy to clean. Glossy paint brings out details, so it is usually preferred for trim and doors. It also accentuates imperfections, so it is not well-suited for siding or walls. Satin finish: A satin finish has a slight gloss, so it is easier to clean than flat paint yet still hides imperfections well. Exterior paint must withstand harsh weather, sunlight, temperatures and more. For this reason, some formulas are designed for use on specific parts of your home. What You Should Know
A galvanized metal primer must be applied before painting
christmas decorating office door ideas Oil and latex formulations available Will withstand wear and exposure to severe weather conditions Manufacturers offer specific formulations for regional climates Ideal for stucco, concrete, cement and shingles Most require a special pretreatment or bonding primer Pool and Marine Paint Look for a polymerized cement-based product for concrete and gunite pools Look for paints that provide stain- and abrasion-resistance Be sure to check for compatibility with your surface (pool, concrete deck or spa) Look for an acrylic-latex blend Most are mildew- and algae-proof Should not be used for waterproofing or to repair roof leaks Can be tinted to match roof color Surface Preparation and Painting Even the best paint won’t adhere well or produce good results if you don’t prepare the surface correctly.
If the surface has been painted before, check for peeling paint and scrape it off prior to applying a new coat. Clean, scrape and fill holes in the surface prior to paint application. If unpainted wood is gray or weathered, it should be sanded. Sleek surfaces may require light sanding to improve adhesion with primer or paint. Prime all bare wood, including bare spots and nails on previously painted surfaces. Tip: Paint in the right weather: In temperatures colder than 50 degrees, most paint won’t dry, but cold-weather paints are available for cooler climates. In warm temperatures or direct sunlight, paint may dry too fast, causing lap marks. Wind, rain and humidity can also affect the drying time and final appearance. Check your paint label for recommendations on temperature ranges before starting. Exterior Paint, Stain & Waterproofing Masonry, Brick & Stucco Paint Ask A Home Depot ExpertRepainting wood trim around windows is no small task, but fortunately it’s one that you can easily do yourself, especially if you have a single-story home or a great ladder.
Peeling, cracking paint is an unsightly feature and leaves your windows prone to damage and reduces your overall curb appeal. But, when it’s properly done, you can go many years without having to repeat the process. Pressure wash or use a spray bottle of multi-surface cleaner, a rag and old-fashioned elbow grease to clean dirt from the surface of the window and the surrounding trim. Removing built-up dirt helps you to see the condition of the window trim before you begin scraping paint. Also, the new paint will adhere better on a clean surface. Removing peeling paint is critical to ensuring that the new coat of paint goes on well. Work diligently with a paint scraper or putty knife to scrape free all the loose paint. If you have an older home, there’s a chance of lead paint being on the windows, test for it. Take extra precautions by laying a tarp on the ground beneath the window to capture paint chips and avoid toxins leaching into the ground. Also, wear a respirator to avoid inhaling dust.
If you have concerns about removing lead paint, consult with a professional. While you are scraping the loose paint, take note of the condition of the window glazing and caulking. If it is in poor condition, it will easily break free. In spots where glazing is missing, the seal around the glass pane will likely be loose. Likewise, if caulking appears shriveled or cracked, wind and water can seep through and cause damage to the window’s interior. Sand the scraped window surface. You want to create a very smooth transition between the remaining paint on the window trim and the areas that were scraped down to bare wood. Sanding the surface of the existing paint will also help the new primer and paint adhere better. Dust the windows when you are done sanding. Most caulk is formulated to completely dry within a few hours, but re-glazing windows requires a longer dry time and extends the project timeline from a few days, to a few weeks. Tape off the glass before priming and painting, but if you’re using a latex-based paint and you have a steady hand, you can probably do without the tape.
Just make sure to have a damp rag on hand to wipe off primer that accidently lands on the glass. Or you can wait until the job is done then scrape it off using a razor blade. Do your best to be neat when working along the edges of the glass. Apply a coat of primer to the entire surface of the window trim. Allow it to completely dry. Follow up with a coat of exterior paint. If you’re changing the paint color of your trim in the process, you may find that it will require an extra coat of paint to achieve adequate coverage. There will be paint left behind on the surface of the glass (expect it, no matter how hard you try to be neat). The easiest way to remove this paint is by wielding a sharp razor blade. Use the tip of the blade to slice through the paint along the edge of the trim, and then hold it at an angle and use the wide edge of the blade to peel it off the glass from beneath. It will flake away and can be wiped clean. Run a rag dampened by multi-surface cleaner over the windows one last time to remove fingerprints and dirt.