Page 58 - November 2015 Green Builder Magazine

The Homeowner’s Handbook SIXTH EDITION

Exterior Paint: Making It Last

www.greenbuildermag.com 11.201556 Cover Up Quickly

UNFORTUNATELY, PAINTING YOUR Just a few days of exposure to UV rays
home is not a green activity. Why? can seriously damage the ability of wood
Because products such as acrylic to hold paint. Get a coat of primer on as
latex have a very high embodied soon as possible, preferably a product
energy—producing them takes a toll on the with UV inhibitors.
environment. It’s key, therefore, to maximize
paint durability. You might think that switching Use Durable
to vinyl siding is a more “permanent” solution, Fasteners
but vinyl products come with a different set of
environmental drawbacks. There’s no perfect It’s easy now to find
solution. You can, however, take several steps exterior fasteners
to make sure paint lasts as long as possible that will not rust and
on your new siding. Old siding is a bigger stain wood. Spend a
challenge, but in general, the same rules apply. little extra for the best
fasteners you can find.
Order Pre-Primed Wood You may add years to
or Fiber Cement the viability of each
paint job.
Boards that are pre-primed in a factory tend to
hold their paint longer than siding that’s painted No Freezes,
in place. This is true for several reasons. First, if Please
handled properly, factory-painted wood tends
to be coated only when the wood reaches an Water-based paints
optimal level of moisture saturation, typically about that have been
15 percent. Also, the primer is usually applied to the stored too long may
front side, back side and ends of each board. Note lose their chemical
that it’s key to recoat primed ends after cutting. consistency. Worse,
if they’re allowed
Play Rough to freeze, their
performance may
Research has shown that boards with a suffer. Don’t risk
slightly rough texture tend to hold paint painting with a
much better than smooth sanded surfaces. compromised can of
If ordering cedar, pine or other natural paint. The amount of
finishes, ask about different texture options. labor versus the price
of new paint makes
that a bad deal.

Choose Cool Colors Seal End Grain

Paints exposed to regular cycles of extreme heat undergo more stress, Often, siding and trim boards weather and
shortening their useful lifespan. One simple solution is to specify lighter crack on the ends—for a simple reason:
colors on wood exteriors, especially in hot climates on the sides of the They were not coated properly when the
home that get several hours of sun each day. rest of the home was primed and painted.
If possible, coat them with a good sealer
before installation.