The Difference Between Exterior and Interior Painting

Keeping your Kelowna home looking its best includes giving the interior and exterior a new coat of paint every few years. While you might be tempted to tackle this job on your own, there are a few important differences between the process of painting each, the paint needed and the types of tools required. At Handyman Connection, we have many choices for painting services in Kelowna, as well as information about the differences between indoor and outdoor painting. 

1. Time 

One of the major differences between interior and exterior painting is the time it takes to plan and finish the job. There are many factors that can affect the timeframe, including: 

• Weather conditions 
• The size of the home 
• How many interior rooms you plan to paint 

Generally, interior painting takes less time unless the walls need sanding or priming. Our painting technicians can let you know whether your interior walls are ready to paint or if they need any special attention beforehand to ensure a quality result. 

2. A Difference in Materials 

Painting the interior of a home usually involves covering drywall and wood, where exterior painting may involve coating vinyl siding, stucco, wood and stone veneer. The types of paint and tools needed typically vary, and in most cases, the exterior materials of a home require washing or priming before they can be painted. 

Interior painting, which mainly involves simpler materials, may not need as much prepping unless the surfaces are damaged or the existing paint needs scraping because of peeling or bubbling. If this is the case, our wide array of painting services in Kelowna can provide you with peace of mind that the job is handled correctly. 

3. Paint Differences 

The exterior of your home usually requires a different type of paint than the interior, and as such, indoor and outdoor paints are not interchangeable. Outdoor paints are designed to protect the building materials from the ravages of heat and cold, as well as heavy rain and snow, and indoor paints are often custom blended with a hardier resin to reduce fading, cracking and peeling. This can be especially important for rooms that see a lot of foot traffic, such as bedrooms, dens and children’s playrooms. 

While you might think that exterior paint works just as well indoors as out, most are not designed for interior use because of the resin used. While exterior paints do respond well to temperature changes, colour variants and scuffing once the paint dries may occur. Our painting professionals can advise you about what types of paint are the most effective for the job you have in mind so it remains vibrant and smooth for years to come. 

4. Tools 

The tools needed to paint the interior and exterior of your home can vary widely depending on the space you want to be covered and its overall size. Exterior painting may require extension ladders, long paint rollers and rugged hand tools for scraping. Indoor paint jobs usually require fewer tools, such as different types of brushes, pans and painter’s tape for covering moulding and to create edging. 

If you have any questions about a painting process for your home, our handymen are happy to walk you through the steps of any painting service in Kelowna, advise you about how long it might take and what tools they will bring to ensure it is completed correctly. 

The interior and exterior of your Kelowna home have different needs when it comes to painting, but you do not have to struggle through the process alone. Contact us at Handyman Connection today for a an estimate and for further information about how our painters can give your beloved home a facelift, both inside and out.