How to Compare Exterior Paint Products
Two estimates can both promise quality paint and still specify very different work. Ask for the manufacturer, product line and finish. Then check what will go underneath it.
The useful question is whether the proposed coating system fits your home’s siding, trim and existing finish. Price per gallon tells only part of that story.
Check That It Is an Exterior Product
Exterior coatings are made for outdoor exposure. An interior product with a similar name is not an interchangeable choice. Match the exact name in the estimate to the manufacturer’s current product information.
For example, Duration Exterior and Duration Home Interior are different Sherwin-Williams product lines. Use the manufacturer’s exterior painting guidance and the data sheet for the specified coating to check the proposed product.
Match the System to the Material
Wood, fiber cement, stucco and metal can require different preparation and primers. Repainting also means checking the condition and compatibility of the coating already on the house.
An elastomeric coating should be selected for a suitable application. It is not an automatic answer for every stucco wall or crack. A moisture problem or moving joint needs evaluation before a coating is chosen.
Sherwin-Williams’ substrate guidance describes why the material beneath the paint affects preparation. Ask your contractor to connect that product decision to what is actually on your home.
Understand What the Primer Does
Primer may be needed for adhesion, stain control or a consistent surface. Bare areas and repairs may require treatment even when the rest of the old coating is sound.
The phrase paint and primer does not replace those decisions. Ask which areas will be primed and why. The manufacturer’s preparation guidance can help you check the proposed system.
Check the Application Requirements
Coverage, coat requirements and drying conditions affect the finished result. Stretching a gallon across more area than specified can leave less protection than intended. Applying another coat too early can cause problems even with an appropriate product.
Have the estimate identify the finish and the work needed to apply it correctly. Ask how the crew will handle weather interruptions and how product or workmanship coverage applies if a problem develops.
Ark’s exterior painting work includes preparation and coating selection for the surfaces being painted. Bring competing scopes to the conversation if you’re unsure what they include. The differences should be explainable in plain language.
← All Gazette posts