How do you choose the paint for the outside? –

The external finish represents the «business card» of a house. What impression do you want to give on your home? A quality external paint, correctly applied, creates a pleasant and elegant appearance. In addition, the choice of the right colors will highlight the architectural qualities of the facade.

On the other hand, a negligent applied finish, with inadequate products, will resist less and can affect the thermosystem or the layers under the paint. Find out what are the most important features of the external paint to consider before making a purchase.

When is the external paint suitable?

The external paint is one of the finishing variants of the house, together with the decorative plaster, plates with different materials or other techniques. This has two roles:

• to protect the layers on which it is applied;
• To create an aesthetic aspect of the house.

Also, here’s where you should choose an external paint, at the expense of other finishing options:

• If you want a smooth and smooth finishThe paint is a good option, but it is very important to make sure that the support layer is quite resistant to allow the application of this type of finish;
• If you want to refresh the color on an existing decorative plaster;
• If you want to take the finish line on an old buildingHeritage, which is not thermal isolated outside.

For example, on a basalt wool or polystyrene wool thermosystem, the paint cannot be applied, because it is a too thin layer, which does not resist mechanically. The application of the paint on the thermosystem can only be performed after creating a very resistant reinforcement layer, with the help of the venture or carbon fiber carbon carbon.

How do you choose the external paint?

If you ask yourself which washable paint to use, the answer differs according to the application and the results you want to obtain. The most important specifications to consider before making a choice are as follows:

• the possibility of pigmentation (colors) and resistance to discoloring;
• the technical performance of the paint (permeability, water resistance);
• the chemical composition of the paint;
• resistance to molds;
• Resistance to dirt, the possibility of cleaning;
• The possibility of taking cracks.

The color of the external paint

Unlike most countries in Europe, where the facades are generally white or with discreet shades of dirty or beige white, people prefers to have colored houses in Romania. Especially in areas such as Transylvania, houses often have different and intense colors. This is the reason why the possibility of pigment the external paint is a decisive factor in the selection process.

If you like to have a colorful facade, oriently or for the types of external paints with a rich color palette, which also includes the intensity of the color you want:

• Avoid choosing the color of the paint on the monitor of a computer or on the phone screen, because color distortions can occur;
• It is recommended to go to a showroom where you can see the applied paint on various surfaces or a color palette (palette).

In addition, keep in mind that a color seems different on a small surface (in a pallet) compared to the moment in which it is applied on a large surface. At the same time, the exposure of the facade in light or shade can lead to a certain aspect of the color of the paint, different from the way it appears in the showroom, inside.

If you want to be sure that your choice is the right one, order a sample of paint, which you can apply outside a large enough surface. Therefore, do a correct impression on the result and make sure to get the finish you want.

Resistance to discoloring paint

The resistance to discoloring depends on the chemical composition of the paints. These are divided into different classes: A1-A3, B1-B3, C1-C3. Class 1 products are the most resistant, with inorganic compounds that resist well to discoloring.

At the same time, the non -observance of the conditions for the processing and application of the paint, specified in the technical sheet, leads to an irregular finish. The facade will have different stains or areas of intensity of color and the appearance of the house will not be aesthetic.

Water resistance or waterproof

When choosing the paint, you should not only consider aesthetic characteristics, but also its technical performance: resistance to weather or waterproofing and steam permeability.

More water resistant, longer will have a longer life and you will enjoy the investment you made:

• External paints are divided according to water resistance in three classes: W1, W2 and W3, depending on the absorption of water;
• The best W3 paints have the best water resistance, which have the lowest absorption, as well as the Caparol outdoor paint.

Steam permeability

It is recommended to permeable a paint, to allow the elimination of the vapors created inside and tend to migrate outwards:

• External paints have three permeability classes: V1, V2, V3;
• V1 is the class with maximum permeability;
• This function is particularly important if the building is tired of a steam permeable thermosystem, such as the one with basalt wool.

The chemical composition of the paint

The chemical composition is chosen according to the support layer on which the paint is applied. Here are two examples:

• On the support layers with traditional coatings, lime or other mineral coatings, it is recommended to use an external paint with similar properties, which breathes, respectively an external silicate paint;
• In the support layers that have a lime component, it is important to choose a CO2 permeable paint, to allow it to eliminate it following the chemical reactions that take place at the bottom. If you need a water -resistant finish, choose a silicone paint.

Dirt resistance, the ability to clean

The quality of a paint depends on the quality of the raw materials used in its realization. At the same time, there are modern painting technologies, such as NQG (Nano-Quarz structures), which lead to more efficient and dirty finishes, which dry quickly after application and which are easy to clean.

The possibility of taking control of cracks

There are situations in which you need a paint or a primer with high elasticity, which will allow to detect small cracks. Caparol’s elastic silicone paint has the ability to cover the cracks on the facade. Before applying the finish, it is good to evaluate the quality and solidity of the support level and carry out the necessary repairs.

In the case of great cracks, it is necessary to repair them before applying the finishing layers. Find out what to do from this article on our blog.

How do you protect the facade from mold and algae?

The molds and algae on the facade appear due to the following factors: stagnation of humidity on the external walls of the house, due to condensation, notes, plants or trees near the building. Use fungicidal and algicidal-phulse solution of the stubborn, to add outdoor paints.

At the same time, to have a facade on which mold and algae do not appear, it is good to know that the pH of alkaline paints (silicate) guarantees an environment that is not in favor of the development of these microorganisms. You can also use 12.5 l Caparol thermosan fungicidal paint, which creates a protective film against the attack of algae and mushrooms.

How do you prepare the support layer before applying the paint?

The quality and duration of work depend on both the paint used and the way the work is carried out. The support surface must be well clean in powder, dirty, fat and sometimes by the layers of front finish. In addition, it must be smooth and without cracks, to allow the correct and aesthetic application of the paint.

It is very important to apply the primer before finishing the facade with the external paint. The choice of the type of primer depends on the quality of the support level:

• If you have a very absorbent support layer, you must apply a primer/primer that regulates absorption;
• If the support layer is solid and not very absorbent, it is necessary to apply a primer of grip;
• If you want to change the color of the finish, i.e. apply another shade on the existing one, a primer is necessary.

Tips to apply the external paint

The temperature of the application of the paint is an essential factor for obtaining an aesthetic and appropriate finish. Here is the most useful information and suggestions:

• Before planning the facade finish with the external paint, make sure that the application temperature is optimal;
• In the technical documentation of each type of paint, the application temperature is specified;
• For most paints, the application temperature is 5 degrees Celsius;
• The application temperature refers to the support layer (5 degrees on the support surface means 8 degrees in the air);
• The temperature of the support layer should not drop below 5 degrees Celsius nor during the application of paint, nor while drying;
• If the application temperature and drying is not appropriate, it is possible that in the paint there may be chemical reactions that lead to the appearance of unpleasant donations/traces.

It is also important to apply the paint with accessories (rollers, brushes, paint pistols) and suitable for the finish you want to make. Do not dilute the product with a largest amount of water than that specified in the technical sheet, depending on the quality of the support layer.

Choose a quality external paint to create an aesthetic and durable finish. Check the properties of the product and the available documentation. A serious manufacturer will have both technical sheets and declarations of clear and easy to understand performance.

I invest in a quality product, because a paint with good and correctly applied properties can resist the facade for 15 years or even more. Also, make sure to choose an external paint suitable for your type of project.