If you haven’t updated your interior with a new coat of paint in a while, you may notice that your walls are beginning to fade, especially when you rearrange your furniture and artwork. The color difference can be drastic, and one of the primary causes of paint fading is the sun’s harmful UV rays. Fortunately, there is a solution. The experts at McKay’s Painting have provided the following tips to help you keep your existing paint from further damage while also ensuring that any new color stands up to the test of time.
Why Does Interior & Exterior Paint Fade?
Does paint really fade over time, or is it a chemical reaction or something else? Interior paint fades when damaging UV rays break down the color molecules that hold the paint together. Natural and artificial light are two of the main culprits, but so are ozone and oxygen. Exterior paint, on the other hand, fades as a result of harsh weather, extreme temperature changes, direct sunlight, and even low-quality paint.
What Exterior Paint Color Fades the Least?
Selecting high-quality paint that repels UV rays rather than absorbing them is extremely important when repainting the interior and exterior of your home. Choose semi-gloss or paint with a reflective coating for your exterior and avoid flat paint, which tends to fade quickly. Some colors, including reds, yellows, dark greens, or blues, absorb light and fade much faster. Instead, choose lighter colors that naturally reflect light and will stay true to the original color. Selecting the right paint is also important; for example, chemical pigmented paint retains its color much better than organic colored pigments, which absorb UV light. Maintaining your home’s exterior also goes a long way in preventing your painting from fading and weathering.
Does Interior Paint Fade Over Time?
When it comes to the interior of your home, consider window coatings such as film to prevent harmful UV rays from entering your home through the windows. Other options include window coverings such as blinds, shades, and shutters, which can help prevent damage to your walls and furniture. Time is also a factor; good quality paint typically lasts about ten years before it begins to break down and fade. Besides sunlight, interior paint can fade for several reasons, including heat, artificial light, and temperature variations. The technical term for paint pigment breaking down from contact with UV rays is photodegradation. To reverse the effects of paint fading, select light colors that reflect light, unlike darker hues that absorb light. Premium quality paint contains a more potent chemical bond, which allows the paint to last longer and resist fading compared to lower quality paint. Many paints are available on the market that can be applied in one coat, which may be convenient, but a single coat of paint is much more likely to fade than paint applied in multiple coats. Interior painting is an investment, and you can make your investment last longer by using numerous coats of paint to preserve the color, enhance the finish, and add to the overall beauty of the space. Select a water-based acrylic or latex paint instead of oil based. Oil-based paint fades faster and puts out harmful fumes that can cause asthma and breathing issues in susceptible family members. Fading paint does not have to be your reality, you can prevent damage by investing in the expert interior and exterior painting services provided by the experts at McKay’s Painting.
Interior & Exterior Painting & More in Ventura, Ojai, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills & Santa Barbara California
To learn more about residential or commercial, interior and exterior painting, contact the professionals at McKay’s Painting today.
