Outdoor house paint fades when pigments that hold the color come in contact with a substance that breaks down that pigment such as light, ozone, or oxygen.
While outdoor paint fades gradually after interior painting, exterior paints are more prone to faster color fading because of constant exposure to UV light and other factors that affect the quality and depth of the pigment.
Faded exterior paint is aesthetically unappealing. It can make your home look like an eyesore, even if the construction and design are sound. And it’s important to remember that if your paint doesn’t look like new, it’s not performing as well as when it was first applied. This means fading paint is leaving your surfaces more vulnerable over time.
Sunlight hits your home in different areas for different lengths of time, so you’re likely to notice paint fading when one patch looks different from a nearby area.
How to Slow Down Paint Fading
Can You Slow Exterior Paint Fading?
Since you probably don’t live in a vacuum or a protective bubble, there’s no way to completely prevent these chemical reactions from fading exterior paint over time. However, there are things you can do to slow the process.
- Choose the Right Paint: Homeowners should select exterior paints with a reflective layer to counter the impact of light and UV rays on paint pigment. Some of the best rated house paint can be found at Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore and Behr Paint. These outdoor house paints are products like Duration from Sherwin Williams, Aura from Benjamin Moore and Behr exterior paint Marquee.
- Opt for Chemical Compounds: It’s often good to choose organic, but not if you’re looking for peak longevity from non-fading exterior paints. Organic color pigments don't resist UV light as well as pigments made from synthetic chemical compounds.
Do Exterior Paint Colors Matter?
Yes. According to Sensational Color, “Dark colors absorb heat and suffer more moisture problems than lighter shades. That's why lighter colors last longer and fade less than dark colors. And because dark colors fade faster, they are more difficult to touch up.”
Red exterior paints tend to fade the fastest based on how their specific pigments interact with UV light. Whites and lighter neutrals are going to get you the most fade-resistant results. But if you want to go with a color, choosing a lighter shade will improve reflectivity and slow fading over time.
Some colors, like yellow are formulated with interior paint pigments and not intended as an outdoor house paint. These colors will be flagged by the manufacturer with a notation on their in store color samples.
Which Paint Types Are Most Fade-Resistant?
Exterior painting done with acrylic paints is going to get great results if you’re looking for a more fade-resistant finish.
Acrylic exterior house paint lasts the longest in general when compared to other standard paint types. Acrylics are well-known for resisting damage caused by weather and other natural contaminants. Acrylic paints are a go-to for local house painters when it comes to resisting fading or damage caused by exposure to the sun, making them perfect for Roseville, CA homes.
Another excellent choice when it comes to exterior painting for UV resistance is elastomeric paint. Elastomeric coatings offer a kind of “sunblock” for your home and are frequently used on home exteriors in hot climates, especially when homeowners need stucco painting or repair services. Another bonus? Elastomeric coatings are up to 10 times as durable as standard exterior paints, so you know your home will be cool and protected for the long haul. Elastomeric coatings are also considered some of the best exterior paint for humid climates as well as the best exterior paint for tropical climates.
Keep Paint Maintained
No paint is invincible. And in order for paint performance not to be compromised, you have to keep your acrylic or elastomeric paints maintained. Being proactive when you notice paint damage or degradation is part of that.
Most exterior acrylic paints last 5-10 years. Elastomeric paints last 10-20 years. If it’s been longer for your home, or if you can’t remember the last time you had house painting done, it’s likely time for a fresh coat to address paint fading and keep your home cooler in the California sun.
Hire Professional Exterior Painters
One of the best ways to ensure paint longevity and peak performance is to hire local house painters with the professional expertise required for proper application. To find the best exterior painters, google search terms like best exterior painters near me. Professional painting companies like TRICO PAINTING will be familiar with the best outdoor paint for your situation. Paints like acrylics and elastomerics are considered some of the best exterior paint coatings and they are designed to perform well against UV light for years. But if they’re improperly applied to exterior surfaces, oil based paints, or peeling paint, their effectiveness on your new paint job is compromised from the start.
If surfaces aren’t properly prepared, if too much or too little paint or primer is used, or if painting was rushed before drying time was completed, your sun-resistant paints are underperforming. Not to mention, the aesthetics and curb appeal of your home are probably suffering, too.
Don’t take a chance when it comes to protecting your home. If you’re looking for more fade-resistant exterior paints or need a refresh on your UV-resistant paints and finishes, we’re ready to take on your project. Contact TRICO PAINTING for your service estimate today.
