What makes a premium exterior paint a better buy for most homes than bargain-priced paint? Quality ingredients insure better performance in these important performance areas:
Adhesion. A premium paint contains superior binder content for long-term resistance to peeling, flaking, and blistering which separates the paint film from its surface.
Durability. A premium exterior paint film withstands the extremes of temperature much better than the cheaper grades of paint, because its high binder content makes it both tougher and more flexible.
Ease of Application. Premium paints go on smoother, forming an even surface of uniform thickness. Cheaper paints may spread too thin and require a second coating to hide inconsistent coverage.
Elasticity. A premium paint will be sufficiently flexible to expand and contract as much as the surface beneath when affected by contrasting extremes of outdoor temperature.
Fade Resistance. High quality exterior paints will have more brilliant color characteristics, and resist fading for a longer number of years. This is due, in part, to the higher reflective characteristics of their superior pigments.
Leveling. When a good applicator is used, a premium paint is likely to go on without visible brush marks. Cheaper paints are more likely to show streaks.
Hiding power. A premium paint uses more expensive pigmentsóincluding titanium dioxideóand less filler, so it will more readily hide the surface on which it is applied. A quality paint is also much more likely to provide single coat coverage.
Longevity. A cheap paint will likely show signs of protective failure within two or three years. A premium paint may last five to ten years.
Mildew Resistance. Premium paints contain chemical agents which inhibit the growth of mildew, and therefore minimize the likelihood of ugly, black mildew stains.
Surface Protection. After drying, superior paints will form a tough, protective film to shield the surface beneath from the elements ó especially rain, snow and ice.