Can good preparation and energy efficient paints lower your energy bills?
Today, with energy cost going up day-by-day, the issue of good
painting preparation has taken a front seat in the business of
professional painting. I'm sure there are folks that will make
this comment: "What are you talking about Dan, a paint job is
just a paint job" Well, not quite so anymore! I'm here to let
them know that those days are over! The type of preparation,
together with the kind of paint you install in your house will
affect not only the lifespan, but the ongoing energy consumption
of the structure. Please read our first article (on the left)
regarding paint preparation and energy efficient paints.
I'm sure you have noticed the latest advances in paint
formulations for your home. However, many folks are concerned
that the water based formulations won't hold up as well as the
standard oil based formulas, and in particular, for woodwork.
Although there are some instances where oil based formulas are
better, such as metal parts, water based paints have come a long
way over the last 20 years. It is needless to say they are much
friendlier to the environment than oil based paints. For an
in-depth comparison of water based vs. oil based paints, take a
look at our article on the right.
We are experts in the treatment of weathered painting surfaces.
Contact us for a free estimate and we will inspect your home and
offer you a long-lasting solution. We are master painters and
will prepare your home for maximum durability.
Our phone number is (626) 488 6885
Can paint lower your energy costs?
Careful painting preparation can protect a structure while
increasing energy efficiency!
In my many years as a San Gabriel Valley painter in Southern
California, I've come across too many structures that have
the obvious signs of untold years of painting neglect. All the
unmistakable signs were there: holes, cracks, little to no
caulking, paint that had worn down to a grainy and dusty chalk,
etc, etc
I remember being at a construction site and there was a fellow
working there, he was caulking and sealing all the internal wood
joints near the roof line. He also said many other wood joints
could be caulked to help keep the weather out and the treated
air in. (Mind you, these were the internal joints on the framing
of the house, since it was at the framing stage.)
Duke Power, the local power company, was sponsoring the program,
called Watt Count, since it helped save energy. That was about
25 years ago, when gas was less than a dollar a gallon. What
about today, can top-notch painting preparation lower your
energy needs and help you save money?
Answer: There are many things that can be done; we've come a
long way! Now we have newer elastomeric caulks and heat
shielding paints that will seal and protect your home. Careful
caulking of all seams, corners, window and door frames, siding,
and eaves, can make an incredible difference in energy
consumption.
This is what energywisestructures.com, the company that grew out
of the Watt Count program, has to say about caulking and
sealing: "We require caulking every place air can infiltrate:
multiple joints, window and door frames, sill plates, plumbing
and electrical penetrations, etc"
Many existing homes have never been well sealed because caulking
is one of the most time consuming jobs a painting contractor can
do. They usually do just what's needed. You can walk around most
homes - new or older structures - and notice the caulking was
largely neglected.
There are newer energy efficient paints and coatings that can be
used on your exterior walls - and in some cases roofs - that
provide a much smaller radiant "footprint," making it much
harder for heat to find a way into your home. The same coatings
can also be used on interior ceilings, attics, and walls.
Tax Savings:
When you use these Hi-Tech energy efficient materials, you not
only save on energy - year after year - but get a
tax break for
using them, talk about win/win/win ! The end result is that
you'll have lower energy bills year-round, from a very
negligible investment next time you have your home painted.
These Hi-Tech coatings are the same ones used by the
University
of Colorado, the 2002 and 2005 first place winner of the Solar
Decathlon.
I would advice that the next time you paint your home that you
give serious consideration to the items expounded on this
article. Choose a painting contractor that will take the time to
prepare and paint your house for greater energy savings.
Copyright D. Aloy
Is acrylic paint as good as oil based paint?
(2). Higher color retention than oil based paints. Water based paints will resist color fading and chalking much better than oil paint. Deep colors, and in particular red, will not fade as quickly.
(3). Of course there's the fact of less hydrocarbon vapors; being water based they don't have the nasty smell associated with paint thinner and oil based paints, a plus if you are allergic to the vapors or suffer from respiratory problems.
(4). Along the same lines as the above, water based paints are, on average, much less toxic that their oil based counterparts.
(5). Your roller covers can be cleaned and re-used. Many painters throw away roller covers that have been used with oil based paints because it would cost a lot to clean with mineral spirits.
(6). In many instances acrylic primers and stain blockers are much better than oil based primers. A good example are wood knots, an acrylic primer does a much better job of hiding them. Yet and still, acrylic primers don't sand well and are hard to "feather-out." Oil based primers are the top choice as an undercoat for fine finishes.
(7). Durability: If the surface to be painted has been well prepared there isn't a discernable difference in how long the finish last VS oil based paint. Again, the key is surface preparation.
(8). The "wet edge" working time of water based products (the time that the paint remains open to manipulation and blending) can be adjusted with Floetrol or a good brand acrylic retardant, such as Golden. These retardant products help water base formulations keep a wet edge longer, such as when doing trim work.
(9). Penetration and adhesion can be improved with formulations intended to slow down the time it takes for the water based paint to dry, such as EmulsaBond.
(10). Acrylic glazes for Faux Finishes are also approaching the workability and durability of an oil based glaze. Even better - and I know you'll agree if you've ever worked with oil glazes - is getting away from the terrible vapors of the oil based glazes.
Copyright D. Aloy
