How to Use Exterior Paint Inside Your Home Safely and Effectively

Do you ever wonder whether you can paint your inside using outdoor paint? Perhaps you have some paint left over from a recent outside job, or maybe you just like the look, feel, and longevity of external paint. It’s tempting to apply outside paint inside for a variety of reasons, but is this a smart idea?

In this piece, we’ll talk about the pros, cons, and best practises of bringing outdoor paint inside. After reading this article, you’ll know whether or not exterior paint may be used successfully inside and how to do it securely.

Risks of Using Exterior Paint Inside

There are potential dangers associated with bringing external paint indoors. Paint for the outdoors is made to endure the elements, including the sun, wind, and even snow. To this end, outdoor paint is fortified with chemicals that evaporate when the paint dries; these are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Health difficulties such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, eye irritation, and respiratory problems may be brought on by these volatile organic compounds. Some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been linked to cancer and/or environmental damage.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that contaminants such volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may make indoor air quality up to ten times worse than outside air quality. Consequently, utilising an outdoor paint inside will raise the VOCs in your house, which can have negative effects on your health and comfort.

Using outside paint inside also runs the danger of not looking as attractive as interior paint. Paint designed for use outside is specially made to withstand the rigours of weather and environmental factors including UV rays, rain, and snow. However, these characteristics may not be ideal for an indoor setting. When applied to internal surfaces like plasterboard or plasterboard, outside paint might flake and peel. Paint on the outside of a building may degrade or change hue when exposed to UV rays from windows or artificial heat and light.

It’s also possible that interior paint won’t stick well to exterior paint or vice versa. Inadequate covering, an uneven appearance, or incompatibility concerns may ensue. Putting exterior paint over inside paint, or vice versa, might result in blistering, bubbling, or flaking because the paints have distinct reactions.

To illustrate the risks of using exterior paint inside, here are some examples and statistics:

• The use of outdoor latex paint inside has been shown to raise formaldehyde levels by as much as 40%, according to research conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). High concentrations of formaldehyde, a volatile organic compound, have been linked to cancer and other serious health problems.
• Four in ten people who brought outdoor paint inside reported health issues including headaches and difficulty breathing in a poll conducted by Consumer Reports.
• Using outside paint indoors may lead to problems including cracking, peeling, fading, and staining, according to a research by the Paint Quality Institute (PQI).

Benefits of Using Exterior Paint Inside

There are potential advantages to applying outdoor paint inside despite the hazards. Some homeowners can be swayed by the benefits offered by exterior paint as opposed to inside paint. Case in point:

• Water can’t damage outside paint as easily as it may interior paint. In other words, it can survive higher levels of humidity and moisture than regular interior paint. This is helpful in places that often come into contact with water, such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, and basements.
• Mould is less of a problem on exterior paint than it is on interior paint. This implies it is more effective than interior paint in preventing the formation of mould and mildew. If mould and mildew are a problem because of excessive humidity or insufficient ventilation, this may help.
• Compared to interior paint, outside paint can withstand greater sunlight. This implies it is more effective than inside paint at preventing surface deterioration from prolonged exposure to sunshine.
  This is useful in places where direct sunlight is strong or where you wish to protect the surface’s original colour.
• The lifespan of outside paint much exceeds that of inside paint. This implies it will hold up better to daily use than regular paint inside the house. This is helpful if you need the surface to withstand heavy foot traffic or abrasion, or if you just want it to last longer.

Another benefit of using exterior paint inside is that it may save you money in some cases. For example:

• If, for instance, you had some leftover outside paint from a prior job, you might theoretically utilise it inside. This may cut down on paint material waste and save money.
• It’s possible to pay less per gallon for exterior paint if you purchase it in bulk or during a discount. If you have a vast surface area to paint, this strategy might help you save money.
• You may be able to cut down on the frequency with which you need to repaint or repair the surface if you bring external paint inside and take use of its durability and resistance features. Long-term, this may help you save cash by reducing the frequency of necessary repairs.

To illustrate the benefits of using exterior paint inside, here are some examples and statistics:

• According to the PQI, increasing the drywall’s water resistance by utilising external latex paint inside may increase it by as much as 50%. Plasterboard surfaces are protected from water damage and mould development by doing this.
• Using outdoor latex paint inside may prevent red pigments from fading by up to 40%, according to a research by NIST. The integrity of red paint and finishes may be preserved in this way.
• According to Consumer Reports’ research, certain exterior paints are better at withstanding the elements than inside paints are. Some exterior paints are better at resisting cleaning and removing stains, for instance, than some inside paints.

Best Practices for Using Exterior Paint Inside

There are several guidelines you should follow if you decide to paint the interior of your house using exterior paint. Learn how to choose, prepare, apply, and preserve interior exterior paint with these helpful hints.

• For inside application, use a high-quality exterior paint. Some exterior paints can’t be used inside. Latex or water-based exterior paints with little or no volatile organic compound emissions are your best bet. These paints are less likely to cause health problems and are simpler to clean up than their oil and solvent-based counterparts. You should also search for exterior paints that have excellent ratings for performance, durability, and appearance.
• Get everything ready to be painted. Make sure the surface is clean, dry, and smooth before applying an exterior paint inside. Before painting, you may need to sand, prime, or repair the surface if it is damaged in any way (cracks, holes, etc.). The room needs enough ventilation, security, and separation from the rest of the house. Before you begin painting, you should consider opening any windows, doors, or fans, laying down drop cloths, and taping off any edges, corners, or outlets.
• Carefully apply and preserve the paint. Following the label’s recommendations while using exterior paint inside is essential. Thin, uniform layers of paint applied in a single direction using the appropriate brushes, rollers, or sprayers are recommended. Don’t touch the surface until it’s completely dry, and give each coat plenty of time to dry in between applications. When cleaning the paint, use only mild soap and water and stay away from abrasives and chemicals.

Conclusion

Depending on the circumstances and personal tastes, using outside paint inside might be a dangerous but profitable move. You should know that applying outside paint indoors has dangers including health concerns, cosmetic downsides, and compatibility difficulties. There are certain hazards associated with exterior paint, but the advantages, such as water resistance, mould resistance, UV protection, and longevity, may be worth it.

The recommended practises for using outside paint inside include selecting an appropriate kind and grade of external paint for interior use, adequately preparing the surface and the space to be painted, and giving the paint enough time to dry between coats.