- Tue, Aug 2022
- |
- Mayas Painting
Can You Use Exterior Paint Inside? Technically, yes, you can use exterior paint inside, but you probably shouldn’t.
Indeed, outdoor paints are softer and more flexible than indoor paints, making them more durable against extreme temperature changes and harsher conditions.
However, these paints produce toxic fumes even after drying, which can be a health risk. It can take up to a few weeks for the paint to cure and stop off-gassing volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Reasons Not To Use Exterior Paint Indoors
Most interior paints are acrylic latex. Interior and exterior paint have a similar formulation. However, the difference is that in the outdoors, the paint has added resin to make the paint weather-resistant.
Do not use exterior paint for interior walls and furniture because exterior paints contain a potent combination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), additives, binders, and pigments that make it unsafe for indoor use.
Reasons
- Cause Health Problems
- Off-Gassing When Drying and Curing
- VOC Emissions For A Long Time
- Needs Sunlight to Dry Properly
- Has A Different Texture and Finish
Learn What You Need To Know About Exterior Paint
To start any well-done painting project, you must know what you are buying and where to use it.
In detail, exterior paints can be either in oil or water-based formulations, each having benefits.
Therefore, oil-based paints are durable and produce fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Thus, water-based paints are easier to clean up and typically dry quickly. However, both types of paint are available in a variety of finishes, including flat, satin, semi-gloss, gloss, and enamel.
Color Pigments
When it comes to pigments, those that give the paint its color can be organic from plants or inorganic as mineral-based.
Indeed, organic pigments produce transparent colors, while inorganic pigments produce more solid colors. More pigment particles usually mean a richer, more solid color.
Exterior paint pigments are to resist fading from UV light, sun, and weathering.
Moreover, pigments, additives, and paint containers for exterior paint have mineral spirits or water, depending on the type of paint. The spirits or water evaporates, leaving the dry paint film behind.
Naturally, additives help the paint to stick to surfaces, resist UV and mold, and add texture and reflectiveness. In contrast, exterior paint contains different additives than interior paint to help them withstand harsh environmental conditions.
An essential point of view is that paint containers are responsible for holding the pigment and additives together so that the paint will stay on different surfaces, which means that paint containers are formulated to exterior conditions.
Differences Between Interior and Exterior Paints
When starting a painting project, you come to mind with questions about what kind of paint you should use and the type of paint.
If it is necessary to buy a specific paint, one for the exterior of my house and the other one for the interior, all these are valid questions. And more when you have decided to do it yourself.
When you begin this painting adventure, you should know the differences between interior and exterior painting to choose the correct paint and protect your health and everyone around you.
To emphasize, the differences between interior and exterior paints have different properties and are formulated for various objectives.
Interior paint is created to be washed, staining resistant, and easily clean. On the opposite exterior, paint is made to combat deterioration and damage.
Exterior Paint Characteristics
As we know, exterior paint needs to survive all sorts of exposures from humidity, moisture, and temperature changes, such as snow, rain, sun, and UV radiation. Besides that, it also needs to resist fading, chipping, and peeling.
For those reasons, the manufacture of exterior paints must be combined with more precision. The combination of various chemicals such as resins, acrylic, or oils must be softer to precisely guarantee the exterior paint’s characteristics.
Additionally, exterior paints release more VOC gasses, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene. Those in the interior of a home can be fatal for everyone’s health.
Interior Paint Characteristics
To highlight, interior paint is created to paint the inside of your property. As the opposite of exterior paint, interior paint is not as durable; it’s not waterproof and won’t resist extreme weather changes.
In addition, the interior paint goal is to add a touch of color to properties and aesthetics. Most people paint their properties to start a new chapter of their lives.
Since interior paints are formulated in a way that does not harm people’s health, including the chemicals used to manufacture interior paint are way less aggressive than exterior paint. It’s also created to be more delicate, easy to apply, and dry faster.
Provided that, most interior paint has the lowest amount or zero volatile organic compounds, making the interior paint perfect and safe for everyone.
Acquire Trustworthy Painting Service
Now that you know the answer, can you use exterior paint inside by following all the recommendations to do the right things with paint and take care of your health. Consequently, now you can understand why you should not use exterior paint inside.
Consider that paints are designed for specific purposes and should be used responsibly. Use paint outdoors for the exterior of your property only.
In fact, at Mayas Painting, you can find a professional and licensed team ready to help you with any interior or exterior painting project to transform your home into a beautiful one.
Do not hesitate anymore and get our painting service to have quality results on your property.
