Weatherproof with Paint

Extreme heat or cold, moisture, and prolonged exposure to the sun all take their toll on the exterior of our homes. When paint deteriorates, cracks in the substrate are exposed and let damaging moisture penetrate the home. In every region of the country, a painted surface faces tests from the elements, and homeowners are asking for more from their exterior paint than aesthetic appeal and easy application.

Cracking, peeling, bubbling, and mildew can sometimes be avoided by proper preparation of the surface and paint application, but the quality of the paint can make a big difference. In storm-threatened areas of the country, where water intrusion is a major concern, paint failure will leave exposed hairline cracks in the stucco, allowing wind-driven rains to penetrate the home’s exterior. Once in the wall cavity, this moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth, a major health concern in subtropical Southern states. Hurricane Andrew brought major building code changes and calls for better exterior paints to resist the effects of severe weather.

Finding a Better Paint
A good paint keeps severe weather on the outside but breathes to allow damaging moisture vapor to escape from the inside. Color Wheel Paintings and Coatings, of Orlando, FL, found that changing the ratio of resins to pigment (the two main ingredients in paint) and increasing the elongation factor in their product resulted in a high-quality exterior coating that would stretch over any cracks in the home’s exterior. “Our Flex-Lox exterior coating has a 350 percent elongation rate, which allows it to stretch and bridge any hairline cracks in the stucco,” says Tim McLaughlin, vice president of business development for Color Wheel.

Homes in Florida are essentially built on sand, which shifts frequently. A home’s foundation and walls are affected by these shifts, which can cause fractures and cracks to form. Exterior paints or coatings with a high elongation rate can cover existing cracks and stretch to contain the formation of new fractures, while still allowing for moisture vapor from the inside to pass through.