When it comes to painting the exterior wall of the house, the choice of paint is more or less complicated. Unlike the interior walls, the facades require special attention since they are always exposed to the weather. Also, you must take into account the weather conditions of your region to choose the paint color to use.
Also, note that in the context of a construction or a renovation, the Local Urbanism Plan (PLU) defines the authorized colors for the façade. Therefore, you should check with the town hall, especially if your home is located in a protected area. In any case, we recommend you choose ecological paint, which is non-toxic and accessible to all budgets.
Why do we talk about organic paint?
Natural paints are environmentally friendly and less toxic than natural paints. Unlike the latter, they are made with natural and biodegradable elements such as lime, casein, or silicate. That’s why they are generally used for interiors, especially in bedrooms and babies’ rooms. Indeed, although these types of paint have a low amount of volatile organic compounds, they do not give off bad odors that cause headaches. Be aware, however, that not all paints that are labeled “VOC-free” are necessarily environmentally friendly.
To qualify as organic, they must contain 95% natural ingredients. There are also natural bio-based paints that are 95% plant and animal-based. To find out, be sure to check the box where the components are listed. You can also rely on the advice of the professionals of the company you hired to do the painting or buy the paint only in stores specializing in the sale of ecological products.
How to choose your eco-friendly paint?
There are different types of ecological paints. In fact, you can easily make paint from lime since you need to get lime and mix it with water. Although no chemical components are used in this type of paint, protect yourself with a mask anyway because lime is a more or less harmful product. In any case, lime-based paint is suitable for any surface and is very aesthetic. However, it is not washable with water.
Therefore, it is not really recommended for bathrooms and kitchens. Choose instead the silicate one, which can be used for both indoor and outdoor use. It is resistant to steam and washout and is easy to maintain. There is also clay paint which is suitable for all types of support and which comes in a wide choice of colors.
However, it is preferable not to use sharp objects or too hard when washing your walls. Silicate paints are particularly sensitive to scratches. However, it is essential to underline that ecological paints do not produce a rendering as satisfactory as that of traditional paints. They are difficult to apply, and the drying time is very long because of the lack of solvent in their composition. In addition to this, they do not offer a wide choice of tints and colors as conventional paints.
Dress for the job
Painting is messy, so we don’t recommend putting on your Sunday best to do this specific job. Put on a long-sleeved shirt, old work pants, a pair of old tennis shoes, and a cap to protect yourself from the paint that will eventually drip or fall on you.
After all, you will always get paint while painting; no matter how careful you are when painting and handling the paint, it’s the nature of the job. By covering yourself properly, you won’t have to rub the paint off your skin at the end of the day. Also, line your floor with plastic or old newspapers to protect your floors from paint drips.
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